Going through life, all gamers could use a Gamer Survival Guide
Throughout my childhood, video games were far more accessible. While I didn’t possess the fiscal flexibility to purchase all of the titles that interested me, the time that I could dedicate to the games I had compensated for this. With only school to interfere, my schedule remained fairly open for the first eighteen years of my life.
Nowadays I long for those certain aspects of my childhood because I’m at the mercy of entities outside the realm of my control. At the time of this writing, my day job consumes seventy hours of my life weekly. Afterwards, I come home and manage my hectic family life to the best of my ability. It’s also noteworthy to mention that I am attending college and writing and recording music.
Add in the work that I put in pursuing my passions here at The Koalition and often there just aren’t enough hours in the day. However, this is an issue that extends beyond myself. As a matter of fact most of my peers, friends, and acquaintances are in similar situations.
That being the reality, this chapter is the culmination of the solutions that I am actively implementing in my life. I hope that by sharing them that other gamers will find them useful and perhaps assist them in their day to day life. There are a multitude of factors that can intrude upon gaming and I will address common occurrences that many will face at some point in their lives.
One of the hardest obstacles you may face is your job. If your employer isn’t a part of the gaming industry, chances are that you have to adapt to this. Working full time certainly puts a new-found focus on your downtime, and with this, most people find that gaming before or after work (or both) can feel rewarding as long as the time allotted is satisfying. If you’re truly dedicated, try waking up earlier than your regular routine to maximize your time.
After adapting to your job’s constraints, another challenge that could arise revolves around your significant other. Gaming on a consistent basis is demanding and the best course of action here is to try and involve them in your gaming exploits. If they don’t naturally gravitate towards gaming then take the time to expose them to the different genres. Just because they aren’t interested in Destiny doesn’t mean they won’t like Mario Kart. Note: This step is unnecessary if you include gaming into your required traits of a partner.
If you really hit it off with your significant other and things get serious, you may find yourself the parent of a child at some point in life. Many parents who played games before the birth of their child often complain that it is no longer possible to do so. This is false. While your time does once again face another constraint, the solution is pretty simple: raise a gamer! This is ultimately one of the most rewarding things you can do as a gamer, as it becomes a passing of the torch and the feeling of connecting with your child garners a sense of pride that cannot be forgotten.
While the last few examples have revolved around the presence of other entities, there are also thought processes that present themselves in ways that can be challenging.
The most blasphemous comment I hear from others about gaming is that it is just for children. Will someone try explaining that to the ESRB? Gaming is a lifelong passion, and with age and experience only comes a greater appreciation of the art form. If those around you don’t support that, agree to disagree and continue to enjoy your passion.
All of these guidelines and suggestions mean little to nothing if you don’t have a dedicated space to enjoy gaming. Establish your gaming space and if possible, build a game room. If you are currently experiencing some of the above mentioned examples, a game room becomes a sacred place in which you can find enjoyment and relaxation.
In future installments I will continue to elaborate on these topics and address others that are essential to thriving as a gamer, providing helpful commentary on a wide range of topics.
If you have anything you’d like to hear my take on, leave a comment or hit me up on Twitter @MajorMason and as, always stay tuned to The Koalition for all of your gaming needs.
