Gaming And Marriage, Sometimes Heaven Sometimes Hell.
Reviewing video games takes a toll on any social life, weather you have one or not. To be objective and uphold all the ethics learned in Communication and Journalism Law classes down at Rutgers U., I strive to complete games and get the full gist of what they’re all about. This is where being a loner would help. Not having to satisfy, help, or even care for anyone would be ideal to dedicate countless hours into the games I like most. Fortunately, very fortunately (my wife’s reading this), I’m not a loner and have to balance gaming and marriage, not at all easy but very possible. “You should make a schedule, you spend too much time in front of your Mac,” she says.
But making a schedule is difficult when games come in unexpected, stories unfold with our warning and creative impulses, like this one, spark at the weirdest of scenarios. Adding to the dilemma is actually playing the games, when can I fit that in when I have to attend social events, movie nights, and work. Washing the dishes alone takes time, no to mention finishing an epic battle to save earth from limb ripping aliens. That is where late nights and ignoring the wife ignite battles of supremacy in the house. How can I establish my responsibility as a bona-fide opinionator of video-gaming diversions if I have to set the table for Tuesday’s beef stew dinner.
Can’t she understand that millions of fidgety gamers are waiting to leave their mom’s basement and drop their allowance on a game solely based on my opinion. Although my humble writings in no way influence entire continents into purchasing certain games, even if my review moves one or two off a shelf, I have in some way influenced humanity and its crazy economy, even if it’s only by $49.99 plus tax. But at what cost? Surely the felicity of holy union is worth more than fifty bucks, of course it is, but us gaming nerds don’t get that until it’s too late. 
And times like those make me realize how lucky I have been to have found a beautiful wife who has accepted my digital vices and their advantages and disadvantages. I’m actually fortunate enough to somewhat have converted her into a semi-casual-gamer, she sometimes plays casual games for about 5 minutes before getting up and doing something more productive with our lives, but at least she plays. That’s a positive thing, I actually love the fact that I have someone who can snap me out of nerd-reality and whip me back into responsible adult form, at least from 9 to 5. Because at 5:01pm I’m back to finding Minish Caps, slaying zombies, and waggling away any game Wii has to offer.
By 6pm, when she gets home, I’m back to struggling against wedding bows and achievement points, depending on what is more important that day. Thankfully these hard decisions have made me choose wisely what I write and when I write it. Perhaps that’s an advantage, instead of covering the thousand of titles, shovel-ware and all, I can concentrate on what’s really relevant to me, hopefully that will also peak your interest.
So going into my third year of an amazing marriage, I have learned to balance gaming and the other love of my life. You can find time to play, it’s there you just have to find it. I have given up on watching TV in order to play, and replaced the magazine basket next to the toilet with a mini shelf of DS and PSP games. The in-laws have accepted that besides bringing their daughter back to visit, I brought my hand-held gaming gadgets too, and we all seem to share happy argument-free family time. As the days roll on the market shifts games toward more of a casual market, my hobby has penetrated the family forces that were keeping gaming from become the all american family past time I have long for many years.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
este articulo a dado justo con el clavo!! es tan cierto!!