On video games, and getting out more for some sunshine.

Some people rarely notice, but yeah, I play video games.

I may not be really hardcore, but I do enjoy certain genres and I do have my own preferences and style, if you will, of playing. Not only that, I keep an open mind on what games and genres are out there, and as much as possible, I'd update myself of what's new, what's good and what's not, and all of that since getting information about these things are a lot simpler now as if it's just like the daily news on paper or on the telly. But like I said, I have my preferences and would not readily agree that this game is better than that or would understand what another player is talking about, because mainly of personal preference and taste.

I get a lot of people asking me what IS a gamer, actually? Well, anyone can be.

Historically, the term "Gamer" was used to identify those who play only particular genres, namely, role-playing and war games (Not necessarily video games. Remember the time of Dungeons and Dragons table-top games?). I am not quite sure, but I do believe that those players who prefer card games like Magic The Gathering and even some games like Yu Gi-Oh! fall under this. But by now, since the usage of the word necessarily include those who play video games, like I said earlier, practically anyone can be a gamer.

Now, there exists sub-cultures of gamers. They can be Casual, Mid-Core, Hardcore, or for some lucky bastards, Pro Gamers. Casual gamers play just for the fun of it, and like the term suggests, they don't really spend that much time on them. Mid-Core gamers are necessarily a notch higher, meaning that they will play a wide variety of titles, genres and on different consoles, even, while not really devoting much time to it as opposed to the Hardcore type, which , the main difference I can say, is that the latter is more competitive while the former may just play without the same competitiveness attitude. Worth noting is that Hardcore gamers make it a habit to take time to practice and to excel in their games, even engaging in competitive areas of play, as like I said earlier - either locally, or in different leagues depending on their ineterests. While the last - those lucky bastards - are Professional Gamers, who, in the full sense of the words used, get paid just for playing. Now, it may sound like a "dream job" but as all of us would later on realize, it is a job. And a job is, well... a job. It has its highs and lows, and still face the regular perks and peeves or a normal job.

Well, I did day-dream of being a "Pro" someday, but now... I kinda like were I am. I may not be that Hardcore much, but I do enjoy when I sit down with a game and suddenly find myself enjoying the fact that I got better at it. I don't really practice, but I do spend much time lately especially during long breaks from school and whatnot. Mostly, I just want to have fun.

Going back to what preferences of titles and genres I like to play, I can say I tried everything. Of course, we all went through the platform, side-scrolling days of the NES and the infamous Family Computer days. Flashback: Mario doing the hundred lives trick on a turtle (Ah, pixelated nostalgia). I tended to go for fantasy-themed ones, and games based on science fiction. I did tried a lot of RPGs back in the day and I still consider Final Fantasy 7 the more influential title as to what I consider when it comes to that bit. Then came Diablo and Diablo 2 (I remember me and my cousins doing a Diablo 2 24-hour marathon, but can't seem to figure out who gets to play on certain shifts so, we ended up doing it randomly and failing at that). And when the era of consoles came back with Sony developing a cool machine and naming it with an even cooler name, that was where I got a hand on every possible genre there was. Not only that, I would make some references to certain games and include gamer-slang words when applicable (so far, I've been using "Noob" or, 'newbie' - a person who is either: new to the game and thus, haven't acquired the necessary basics of the basics; or, one who totally sucks - quite often, because I think I still am).

I did jump on one of those MMORPG bandwagons and had a "jolly good" of a time with it, but right now, I find it tiring and too time-consuming... And I do like to go out for some sunshine every now and then. And that sort of game, especially here, cost money. Which, I do not have at the moment.

So I'm turning 26 next month and so far as my parents are concerned, this is supposed to be the time when I'd fill my Christmas or Birthday wishlist for what? New silk neckties that would match equally sophisticated shirts; a good pair of casual or formal shoes; a dress watch; possibly a car or new stereo for the old Toyota; or possibly a round trip ticket to some foreign land where I can immerse myself in culture, history or a job opportunity. Not with a new CPU filled with the latest specs to run the coming Diablo 3 (drools) game which will go on release a few days before my birthday; a three-page list of titles I'd like to play; or a good set of headphones for the PS3 so I can hear the noobs talk to each other while I go to where they are camping and just shoot them all up on one rushing. They certainly wouldn't accept those.

Well, check one of my previous post on the Azkals. You'd get the idea what I'm talking about.

So, yeah. I do play games, but I do go out of the house more often than not, too, since it is still the summer break. I'd get the same satisfaction with hiking up a mountain just as well as me having my character level up (See my Good Friday Hike entry). I'd like to say it's just about striking a balance between the two, because as it is, the games I play are indeed JUST GAMES. I don't go rage-quitting while shouting profanities at somebody from across the globe who happen to shoot or cast in-game spells faster than me. Remember the "Angry German Kid" on YouTube? I mean, I do get frustrated when I'm not having a really good game day, but rather than be a total ass about it, I'd just turn off the console and pick up a book to read, or go outside and meet up with my friends (who, considering the old saying, "Yowe telleth me whoeth thou friends are, and I'll telleth who yowe are"), which most of the time we either end up drinking a few or playing more video games. Good times.

And we are still under the process on where we will hold our annual summer outing and possibly a road trip somewhere cool.

So, yeah. I just wanted to write this down since somebody got the notion of me not getting a life. I mean, hey, I do have one and it's just a part of it, really, nothing serious, just a hobby. If I were still stuck in my room playing until the wee hours of the night (which although is quite a few often these days, it is summer break after all), then I wouldn't have time posting this up as an entry. And with that, I'd like to say:

You noob.