Meet the Mob: Mark Purcell

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

A few months ago I was down on my luck. I was going through what my generation likes to call, "A quarter-life crisis." So I decided to chase after a dream of mine. To become a video game critic. In my complete ignorance of how to get started I stumbled upon Bitmob, and decided to try my luck. My first article was, "My bromance with Garrus Vakarian explained". At the time of writing the article I didn't realize that I already embarked on my adventure in becoming a video game critic. Two days after submitting the article to the mobfeed it appeared on the front page.

Seeing that first article on the front page is a feeling that is hard to describe. First there was a rush of adrenaline. I could barely stay in my seat. Then out of nowhere fear put a veil over my excitement. I began to question my abilities, I wasn't sure if I could write another article worthy of the front page. Instead of cowering in my fear, I used it as fuel to keep writing, to improve, and to achieve my dream. 

I have been playing video games ever since I got my hands on an NES, but video game journalism wasn't the career path I wanted until a few months ago.

Back in 2008 I graduated from Northern Illinois University with aspirations of being a history professor. Afterwards I enrolled at St. John's College in 2009 to earn a masters degree in liberal arts studies, and to help me on my way towards a doctorate.

I had learned more about myself in those two years at St. John's then the 23 years before. St. John's had perhaps given me too good of an education. Because I began to see that other academic institutions do not want you to be yourself, they want you to write about things that will get published. Queue my quarter-life crisis. I realized that my dream of becoming a history professor was no longer something that would make me happy. So I tried to get a decent paying job in a related field. I thought that with a liberal education and a masters degree I could get a job rather quick. I was dead wrong. 

Last year I moved to Philadelphia so I could live with my girlfriend Kristine. I can't introduce myself to the Bitmob community without introducing her -- she truly is my better half. Back in April when I had reservations about trying to become a video game critic she simply replied, "balls up." What a woman right? She even threw me a Mad Men themed birthday party last year! Without her I would be completely lost.

I know I have a long road a head of me, and I have always struggled with writing. I have made up for my lack of writing skills with perseverance. I plan to do the same with my dream of becoming a video game critic. 

I am glad that I have found Bitmob; this website and community has helped me get over this ridiculous life crisis. I now have a clear goal to accomplish: show the world how the human condition can be seen through video games. And I plan on achieving that goal.

In my effort to introduce myself I believe I have transcended, "Meet the Mob" and into, "Thank the Mob." So thank you Bitmob, you guys rock.

 
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Comments (3)
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June 27, 2012

Nice to meet you, Mark

230340423
June 27, 2012

Awesome intro, Mark! Thanks for joining our little corner of the Internet, and welcome aboard!

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June 27, 2012

Ah, Meet the Mob, what a great feature. I wonder how it will transition when everything goes to GamesBeat. "Mob" doesn't quite work for that. It's too bad all this great Bitmob branding is going to waste.

Anyway, that's not the topic at hand. Well done on the introduction Mark. 

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