Soapbox articles give our team the opportunity to share some personal perspectives; Today it’s Tom Whitehead’s turn to talk about why gaming is more important to him than ever.
I have always been a person eager to lose myself in my imagination and fascinating world; From my childhood to this day my biggest passions are still books and video games. I studied literature in university twice, and now a decade has passed in the ‘game industry’; I’ve certainly been lucky enough to combine passion with work over the years.
That is certainly the escapism I seek; That’s not a bad thing, in my opinion. Especially when you reach a sure age, If all you think about are bills, taxes, and what kind of laundry detergent is for you, it’s entirely possible that life would be incredibly boring. It certainly was the case decades and generations ago that adults thought primarily of ‘adult’ things, but today it is possible to become an adult whose function is to pay the bills and also a person who plays and enjoys video games. Kirby and the Forgotten Land was the next game I was looking to get lost in in a fun way; the absolute in every screenshot looks like the absolute polar opposite of ‘boring’. Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, Forgotten Land is nothing short of formidable, The Kirbya reboot in style, thank goodness – it delivers on the signature candy-colored adventure of the little guy, and I can’t wait to dive in.
Besides reading and loving certain TV and Movie franchises, gaming has become an important part of my life since I was about four years old. Me now… let’s just say I’ve been playing games for over 30 years. As a kid, of course games were a huge part of my world, although they were also very different – there was no download store or always-online life back then. Tips and reviews will come from magazines and playgrounds, and we will receive games for the Sega Mega Drive (e.g.) as a birthday present or reward/gift. I will play the same game for a month or two and still enjoy it.
To say the game has become so important to me over the past few years is an understatement. There is little variety that is alluring, intoxicating, and necessary
I argued earlier, compared to those days, This is truly the golden age of gaming. Technology is key, as whatever games you enjoy – even if they’re classic titles – it’s never been easier to enjoy them. As I get older, I’m also less likely to spend time playing games, thanks to annoying things like work and commitments. But one important sentiment I’ve felt over the past few years is that gaming is more important to me than ever. There are a few assets that I will cling to above all else as they get me through each day. My huge book collection is one. My video game collection is another.
I’m not one to tweet about major concerns or problems, nor do I talk about them in general with anyone. I’m also not a fan of the ‘tight upper lip’ talk that some people throw around, although I do somethings like that live that way. I’m the type to advocate and encourage people to discuss issues without being inclined to do it myself. I know all the good advice about sharing, I just do not do that.
That’s okay, that’s who I am, but to be fair the past few years have been unusually stressful and difficult, and being the introvert type isn’t always the way to go. good approach in those cases. Not only have we all struggled with our baggage and personal problems, but we have shared a global pandemic, the climate crisis and, for some of us, a lot of depression. thinking is currently drifting about the war going on in Ukraine. I’m a prolific reader and keep a close eye on current affairs, but being up to date with events so often bugs me right now, and like – I suspect – millions of others, this has can affect my sleep, mood, and thinking. That’s life, isn’t it?
My point is that, at the moment, there are too many problems in the larger world, and they are ingrained in our smaller, more detailed everyday existence. As this happened, I became more and more grateful for my books, my shelter, and sure Game. To say the game has become so important to me over the past few years is an understatement. Few diversity is so compelling, enthralling, and necessary. The sheer variety available, catering to every budget, is vital and has helped elevate and expand the impact of the game.
For me, Kirby’s latest adventure is a visit to Animal Crossing: New HorizonsTime in style, a game that feels appropriate right now. It’s so cute, cuddly, and reassuring that just the thought of jumping in puts my mind at ease, just a little bit.
Escapism isn’t a dirty word – it’s an important part of life, for those of us lucky enough to have that luxury.
