Editor's note: I really like how video games created so many memorable social experiences for Rachel. Although I'm pretty sure it was unintentional, she also does a good job at disproving the misconception that all gamers are antisocial males with these enjoyable short stories. -Jay
On June 12, 2010, I graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. This past week has been a combination of exams, packing, bucket lists, and emotional goodbyes. Nearly every night, I’ve reminisced with friends over drinks. As the liquor and the stories flowed, a common thread emerged in the tales that involved me: video games. So, in honor of my time at Ohio, I'd like to share stories about the games that made college even better for me.
In January of 2008, I gleefully returned from winter break with a shiny new PlayStation 3. Sadly the system didn’t have that robust of a library yet, and the only games I had were Assassin’s Creed, Heavenly Sword, and MLB 07: The Show. Within days, the former two games began to annoy the hell out of me. I had purchased Heavenly Sword to try the PS3s Sixaxis controls, but I wound up frustrated by them more than anything.
Like many gamers, I loved the setting and concept of Assassin’s Creed, but I quickly became bored with the repetitious gameplay and one-note main character. About halfway through the game, I set it down because I was unable to complete another boring eavesdropping mission. My PS3 started to collect dust.
Then, one Sunday afternoon, I realized I was completely caught up with all of my homework. Assassin’s Creed was resting next to my TV like a challenge. I turned to my friend and roommate Amy and declared that I wasn’t going to leave the room until I beat Assassins Creed. Amy nodded politely and continued doing whatever school work she was responsibly engaged in, but she soon stopped to watch me play.
Amy quickly picked up on everything that had made the game so difficult to finish with such observations as, “Wait why are you sitting on a bench, shouldn’t you be killing people?” Even more than that, my determination to “just beat the damn game already” amused her greatly.
Finally I reached the last boss, and it looked as though it was going to be a great fight. For the first time in a while, I was struggling with a fight and was actually enjoying myself. Amy suggested, “Just throw one of your knifey things at him.” "Oh silly non-gamer," I thought, "there is no way a throwing knife will work on the final boss. But there’s no harm in… shit he’s dead."
Amy laughed hysterically as I glared at the TV, but soon we were both gaping at the game’s cryptic ending.
That same day, I decided it was time for a new game, which turned out to be…
I've loved fighting games for years, but I never played much Virtua Fighter. When I bought the game, it was on sale at Amazon, and I paid about $20 for it. As it happened, that $20 went further than many of the $60 games I have bought. Soon, I was spending several hours a day playing Virtua Fighter 5.
The only problem was that I didn’t have anyone to play against besides the CPU. Most of my friends at college aren’t gamers, and Virtua Fighter isn’t the most welcoming series. Even so, I managed to persuade my friend Carolyn to play. Carolyn grew up in a house without video games, so she wasn’t interested at first. But somehow, within minutes, she was completely hooked and starting borrowing my PS3 while I was away at class.
Carolyn never got to be particularly good at Virtua Fighter 5, and that’s what makes her love for the game admirable. She enjoyed playing with me even when she lost over and over. When Soul Calibur 4 came out, I thought she would like it better because it is more of a button-masher. She even managed to beat me on several occasions. But, after two days with Soul Calibur, she went straight back to Virtua Fighter.
When we talk about our favorite memories in the dorms, our late night Virtua Fighter sessions fueled by Diet Coke always rank highly.
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
I bought Sega’s latest Genesis compilation mainly because I had $30 burning a hole in my pocket and, like many people my age, I also had a great deal of nostalgia for Sonic. Since buying the game, it has become my gaming comfort food. Whenever I’m stressed or sick, playing some Sonic instantly elevates my mood. Part of my Finals Week ritual has become playing Sonic the Hedgehog until I reach the water level, at which point I quit; the whole point is to decrease my stress level, not compound it.
Anyone who knows me has heard me go on about this game ad nauseam. I once gave a seven-minute speech about it for a class, and I’ve written about it before on Bitmob, so I’ll be brief.
During the winter quarter of 2009, my three roommates and I had a lot of free time, most of which we used to play multiplayer LittleBigPlanet. The game’s peppy soundtrack and adorable playforming action drew my friends in, but they stayed for the multiplayer elements. Much like New Super Mario Bros. Wii, experienced gamers could help non-gamers so that everyone had a good time. All of the online content also meant that we never got too bored.
All I can really say is that playing LittleBigPlanet by yourself is fun, but if you really want to get the most out of the game, grab a couch and a few friends. You won’t be disappointed.
Despite all of the LittleBigPlanet fun, I needed a different game after awhile. Enter Valkyria Chronicles. Unlike LittleBigPlanet, my roommates didn’t quite understand my love for the game.
One day, my roommate Ann watched me play for a few minutes before commenting that the game looked boring. Slowly, and with halfhearted effort, I tried to explain the game to her and thought that I had failed by the time I had to leave for class. Two hours later, I returned to find Ann sitting dangerously close to the TV playing Valkyria Chroncles. While laughing, I teased her, “I thought you said this game was boring.”
She replied, “Yeah I did, but if you play it as much as you do, there must be something to it. Now sit down and help me. I didn’t take the time to read the tutorial.”
The next day, Ann came back from class and I asked her if she wanted to play LittleBigPlanet. To my surprise she quickly declined saying, “All I want to play right now are Japanese RPGs; it’s all I could think about during class. Sit down and help me”
Within days, we had switched from playing LittleBigPlanet constantly to watching Ann play Valkyria Chronicles. It wasn’t long before we were all hopelessly absorbed in the so-cheesy-it’s-awesome storyline. I never thought a strategy game made for an entertaining spectator sport, but I was wrong.
Shortly after my surprisingly stress-free junior year, I became incredibly busy. Although I played games, day-long multiplayer sessions became a thing of the past. It wasn’t until the spring quarter of my senior year that I finally had time for marathon gaming again. My boyfriend, Will Harrison, was kind enough to oblige with Super Street Fighter 4. In probably one of the nerdiest weekends of my life, Will and I set up two TVs side-by-side in my living room so we could play separately online.
It honestly never occurred to me how silly we must have looked until Carolyn walked out of her room, stared at us for a minute, and burst out laughing.
These examples are just a small sampling of the games that helped shape my time at Ohio University. I’ll wrap up with just one more quick comment: the next chance you have play Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with drunk people, you won't be dissapointed.
