Now I don't mean to be preachy. If you have or will be entering The Escapist's latest event, by all means, do. Good luck, even. But I tend to overthink everything, and that pretty little banner on the homepage turned out to be no exception... because... you know... maschochism.
So anyway.
When I saw that offer, I got pumped. Watch dogs looks fascinating, money is tight, and getting a copy for free? That would kick some serious fruit cakes. I've been entering these gaming contests for as long as I've been a gamer, but I'd yet to win one. You know, like you, most likely. And gaming's an expensive hobby, you know?
But then, I think of all those previous contests. Back when I was in school, games were my passion... a passion I couldn't really afford. If a controller broke, or the used game cost too much, even all the trade-ins I sacrificed on the alter of Gamestop may not be enough. That month just may not be a gaming month. And buying a *new* game? Fogedabowdit. And if my *console* broke? I mean, I don't even... dark days, my friend. Dark indeed. Of course, cliched and anti-social as I was, I'd fear winning those really exotic grand prize. You know, picking between the friends and relatives to go somewhere with you, being made to meet celebrities who for all intents and purposes were just plain better than me... traveling? No. Just no. But a new game, when it came out? Had that day come, it would have been in serous competition with my birthday.
But... entering this sort of contest now? It doesn't feel right. I'm by no means rich, but if I really want to be frivilous, none of the practical aspects of gaming which I so longed for are out of my reach. I have an old console by choice, 2 brand-name controller, and a small collection of games I consider worth owning- most bought new. My Gamestop membership card languishes somewhere in the back of my wallet, outdated and nearly forgotten. Gamefly (a game rental company) sends me a new title as soon as I finish the old one. But somewhere out there are a hundred chicks 'n dudes in a similar situation to my younger self. I really want one of them to win. So, for me at least, it feels better to know that there's one less name in that hat and that much greater of a chance one of them could get that brand new, cutting edge, sparkley-shiney toy. And I'll... Just keep an ear out for Yahtzee's review, and maybe rent it in a couple months.
Of course, that doesn't stop anyone else, and I don't think anyone else should act or refrain from anything for whatever convoluted reason spews out of my brain machine, but... I dunno. How weird am I? Can anyone relate? I know this was rambly, but if anyone got through it... what do you think?
So anyway.
When I saw that offer, I got pumped. Watch dogs looks fascinating, money is tight, and getting a copy for free? That would kick some serious fruit cakes. I've been entering these gaming contests for as long as I've been a gamer, but I'd yet to win one. You know, like you, most likely. And gaming's an expensive hobby, you know?
But then, I think of all those previous contests. Back when I was in school, games were my passion... a passion I couldn't really afford. If a controller broke, or the used game cost too much, even all the trade-ins I sacrificed on the alter of Gamestop may not be enough. That month just may not be a gaming month. And buying a *new* game? Fogedabowdit. And if my *console* broke? I mean, I don't even... dark days, my friend. Dark indeed. Of course, cliched and anti-social as I was, I'd fear winning those really exotic grand prize. You know, picking between the friends and relatives to go somewhere with you, being made to meet celebrities who for all intents and purposes were just plain better than me... traveling? No. Just no. But a new game, when it came out? Had that day come, it would have been in serous competition with my birthday.
But... entering this sort of contest now? It doesn't feel right. I'm by no means rich, but if I really want to be frivilous, none of the practical aspects of gaming which I so longed for are out of my reach. I have an old console by choice, 2 brand-name controller, and a small collection of games I consider worth owning- most bought new. My Gamestop membership card languishes somewhere in the back of my wallet, outdated and nearly forgotten. Gamefly (a game rental company) sends me a new title as soon as I finish the old one. But somewhere out there are a hundred chicks 'n dudes in a similar situation to my younger self. I really want one of them to win. So, for me at least, it feels better to know that there's one less name in that hat and that much greater of a chance one of them could get that brand new, cutting edge, sparkley-shiney toy. And I'll... Just keep an ear out for Yahtzee's review, and maybe rent it in a couple months.
Of course, that doesn't stop anyone else, and I don't think anyone else should act or refrain from anything for whatever convoluted reason spews out of my brain machine, but... I dunno. How weird am I? Can anyone relate? I know this was rambly, but if anyone got through it... what do you think?