In an effort to give you guys some insight into who we are as journalists, gamers and people we're going to be doing a series of email conversations about what people on the internet are talking about. First up is being a gamer and a grown-up, a topic inspired by this thread on Reddit.
From: Kamau High (K.high@gamenguide.com)
To: Michael Epstein (M.epstein@gamenguide.com)
Hi Michael,
Reading this thread made me feel old. And guilty. Before starting at GamenGuide I was a freelance writer for several years. In addition to being able to do my job at the local Starbucks, it also meant I had chunks of time on my hands at random periods.
And while I'm also a husband and a father, I'm also a hardcore gamer. By hardcore, I mean I buy the games I want when I want. This usually means shooters and 100+ hour open world games on the consoles and RTSs on the PC and the occasional puzzler or racer on IOS thrown in as a palette cleanser.
My gamer friends were always shocked at my progress in games when they hopped online. Once while setting up a "Black Ops 2" session a month or two after the game came out they kept ribbing me because I was at level 42 while they were still at level 5. It didn't seem like that big a deal to me. Now I know better.
Being EIC at GamenGuide has been my full-time job for only a week and already my game time has dropped drastically. My iPhone is stuffed with games like "Heroes & Castles," "10,000,000" and "Table Top Racing"--all excellent titles hardcore gamers can enjoy for hours-- and I've only been able to get at them in snatches. Like when I'm cut off from wireless access on the train or just about to go to bed. Let alone turn on my consoles to pick up where I left off in Dark Souls or go for that second prestige in "Black Ops 2."
I'm trying to make more time for gaming. But it's hard.
From: Michael Epstein (M.epstein@gamenguide.com)
To: Kamau High (K.high@gamenguide.com)
Hey Kamau,
We just started working together so you don't know this about me yet, but I complain a lot about lots of different things, including the fact that I often feel old. In this case, however, I'm not really in a position to say anything.
Since starting at GamenGuide I don't think I've necessarily spent less time playing games, but I've definitely noticed a larger trend of my adulthood encroaching on my time and reshaping how I play games.
Growing up I played lots of massive RPGs, but when I went to college and started working, my priorities shifted and the amount of time I spent playing a game shortened. As a result, I gravitated towards shorter, fast-paced games where I could have fun without savoring the experience.
Like you, I was working as a freelancer for a couple of years before coming to GnG. Even though that career was peppered with steady writing relationships, I worked from home and had free time to play games during the day when I needed to. Now, a lot of that time is spent commuting, so I've transitioned to playing more iOS and handheld games. (I'm a word game fanatic, but I also love "10,000,00.") I think I've used my 3DS more in the last month than I had since I bought it.
Of course I don't have the responsibilities that most of the people on this thread have, namely a spouse and/or kids. I could be completely insane, but I don't see the issue changing things as much for us as other people, we may play less but there's always going to be a reason to make time for games, so we'll do it. For others, finding time to play is a struggle, and only the the most dedicated will find the time for it.
And now, reading that, I realize that this brings up a different point: Why are so many games geared towards adults, when apparently none of us have the time play?
From: Kamau High (K.high@gamenguide.com)
To: Michael Epstein (M.epstein@gamenguide.com)
Hi Michael,
I think there are games aimed at adults because adults have the money to buy them. When I was a kid I got games on Christmas, my birthday and when I managed to save up my allowance instead of spending it all on Peanut Chews and Chick-O-Sticks. When I got them I would wring every piece of sensory pleasure from them that I could. Beat a game multiple times? Sure. Try to defeat the last boss using only the weakest weapon? Bring it. Now, I consider it an accomplishment when I get halfway through a game.
My daughter is five-years-old and while she would play games all day if my wife and I let her, the concept of finishing a game is foreign to her. How do you finish "Minecraft"? If Disney keeps adding levels to "Where's My Water?" is there an end? One of her games let's her make cupcakes and then draw on them. She can make an unlimited amount for as long as she wants.
I'm also more selective about what I play in my free time. If I don't have to play a game for work then I find myself looking at titles with consistently strong reviews and a high Metacritic score. Although, as I think about, this is only true of $60 retail games. I'm fairly promiscuous with my dollars in Apple's online store. If a game looks interesting and it's under $10 I'm willing to give it a try.
Maybe as I get a better handle on the job my gaming will pick back up. Last night I managed to get a few rounds of "Black Ops 2" in and it felt good.
From: Michael Epstein (M.epstein@gamenguide.com)
To: Kamau High (K.high@gamenguide.com)
Hey Kamau,
It sounds like having responsibility while gaming has led to us both learning to "game responsibly."
I also tend to look read reviews and, I'm sorry to say, peek at Metacritic to help me decide what to buy. I'd like to think that if a has a good concept I'd be willing to buy it, but the truth is even if a reviewer makes a compelling case for a flawed but worthwhile game, low scores are a turn off. To buy a game for $60, I'd better be thrilled about it. Going back to my commuting adventures, I bought "Fire Emblem: Awakening" specificly for my commute: I'm a big "FIre Emblem" fan and was planning on getting the game anyways, but I might've passed on it for something I'd play at home—I still haven't played "Halo 4"—if it weren't for the fact that a 3DS game is more useful to me right now.
I'd say we should we play "Black Ops 2," except that I haven't gotten to that either.
Personally I do still like to finish to games, and I will "tough it out," even if the game is only so-so. That said, I'm definitely more inclined to drop a game and start something new than I was five years ago. Your point is well-taken, though: After years of moving towards making games like movies with the structure of a narrative arc, there seem to be more games, or at least more prominent ones, that drop the pretense of explaining why we're playing and just focus on the game. That idea appeals to me now more than it ever has, since my gaming time is more precious.
Incidentally, "League of Legends" went into beta on Mac this week. I want to try it, but I'm worried it might be least responsible thing I could possibly do. Thoughts?
From: Kamau High (K.high@gamenguide.com)
To: Michael Epstein (M.epstein@gamenguide.com)
Hi Michael,
I've only dabbled in "League of Legends" so it's hard to say. I have played quite a bit of "Dota 2," which is similar, however I suck at it. Give them both a try and see which one you like. There's always time for just one more game.
