This Gamer's Life

We keep spending most our lives living in the gamer's paradise.

(Toad has nothing to do with this post.  This pic is just so cute.  They're so happy about that star.)

I am a gamer.  If you've been reading my posts thus far, you already know that.  I'm certain that even if you didn't read them, you could deduce that from the name of my blog.  It's what I do.  Even still, I sometimes feel like a unicorn.  People either want to believe in my existence or try so hard to deny it.

For instance, my mother wonders why I love video games so much.  I've just always been drawn to them, but I can't convey that in a way that she'll ever understand.  In her mind, I should find some other way to be productive with my life.  Trust that I am and I play in my spare time, but she considers it a childish activity.  Or even worse, a BOY activity.  

Pffft.  Later for that nonsense. (I lied about Toad, and I'm going to use him to demonstrate emotion.)

A good chunk of my life revolves around acquiring and playing games, and there's nothing shameful about that.  If that's the worst habit in the world, I'll gladly accept it.  I'm tired of explaining why I play video games, so I actively befriend others who are into the culture.  I'm living in a gamer's paradise.

What do I mean by a gamer's paradise?  Simple.  In my life up to this point, playing video games is simply my greatest joy.  I don't have kids, so I dote on my games.  I love meeting with like minded individuals and sharing our mutual love for video games.  I love being a part of this culture.  It's special.

And don't think I'm only a pseudo gamer to impress anybody.  Please!  I couldn't care any less than I already don't about what people think about my habit.  Either accept that we're probably going to game when you come to visit me, or you can catch a turnip to the face.  Real talk (in my gangster voice). 

Seriously though, there is no age limit for this.  There are no racial or gender boundaries for this.  That's the beauty of it all.  We can all connect and share this common interest.  We are gamers.  For better or for worse, we're connected.  We don't grow out of it; we simply evolve with it.  I'm amazed when I think about how far we've come from the North American video game crash of 1983.  

Here's a fun graphic detailing and projecting global video game sales in 2014 and 2019.  Research!

I hope to continue to nurture and feed the need to game.  I don't want to live in a world where I can't shoot enemies, drive on the sidewalk, fast travel, battle dragons, fly, create weapons from junk, transform, or take bullets to the face and heal myself like it's nothing  And the fact that I can do it time and time again?  Paradise.

So to my fellow gamers out there, I got nothin' but love for ya.  We're a unique bunch.  In our world, we can be as serious or goofy as we want to be.  We can be competitive with one another, or we can work together.  Our common enemy is the tedium of everyday life that we escape when we power on our consoles and PCs.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Oh, and I am proud to admit that my current obsession is Fallout 4.  I love that game!  Feel free to check out my previous blog post.  I started a short story that's inspired by Fallout.  I hope you guys are enjoying the new releases, as well.

Game on, my friends.

Out of the Vault, Into the Wastes (Fallout Inspired Short Story)

Are you a vault dweller or a wasteland wanderer?

In celebration of the release of Fallout 4, I decided to share a Fallout inspired shorty with you all.  I hope this post proves entertaining for you guys.  I know there isn't a Vault 117, but I needed a vault for the story.  For the sake of imagery, I mostly used images from Fallout 3.  Long post ahead so here we go...

There is no doubt about it, I was born special.  

My mother, Angela, always told me I was special, and I've always believed her.  She said I was destined for greatness.  I was born in Vault 117 on October 7, 2269, and I lived a relatively comfortable life.  Our leader, Overseer Milton, always seemed to have things under control.

Our cafeteria was well stocked with boxes of Cram, Sugar Bombs, BlamCo Mac & Cheese, YumYum Deviled Eggs (my favorites), Nuka-Cola, and lots of other items.  If you can think of it, we had it.

Vault 117 had a library that was stocked with different books and magazines.  I like to read, so I spent a fair amount of my free time hanging around there.  My favorites include the Big Book of Science, D.C. Journal of Internal Medicine, Dean's Electronics, and Tumblers Today.  Lying, Congressional Style and Tales of a Junktown Jerky Vendor also score points with me, too.

As for magazines, anything about repair, lock picking, or speech grabs my attention.  I love to put my knowledge to use.  I'm handy, so I love to tinker and hack.  People would call on me to make repairs, or to help them if they got locked out of something.  I liked to keep busy since living in a vault could be a little mundane sometimes.

We had a fully stocked clinic.  It was run by Doctor Williams who could heal or cure just about anything.  One thing we really prided ourselves on in Vault 117 was our health.

I had friends in the vault, too.  My two best friends were Kari and Dez.  From the time we were little, we were almost always together.  Womb to tomb, as we used to say.  We were all good kids, but we got into our share our trouble.  Never anything serious, but I was different from them.  They were content with life in the vault.  I always wanted to explore what was beyond the vault.  They thought I was crazy for wanting to leave safety and comfort, and I wished I could convince them to join me.

I miss them but once you get an idea stuck in your head, it becomes a deep itch that you're just dying to scratch.  Two weeks after my 18th birthday, I finally scratched it.

I remember I woke up that morning with a sense of determination.  I ate breakfast with my mom and asked if she had ever known life outside of the vault.

"Why are you asking me that?" my mom wondered.

"Mom, life here in the vault is secure, but there's really nothing to do.  It's all the same thing, over and over.  If you've never been outside, don't you wish you could see it at least once?"

"No.  I've never been outside the vault, and I'm not crazy about you being outside the vault.  As a parent, I want you to be safe."

"Even if it means keeping me locked up?" I challenged.

"I keep you safe, not locked up.  Besides, the vault is sealed.  There's no way out, and you know that."

"Mom, there's always a way to do what you want to do.  Besides, how do we get new supplies?  Someone has to go out at some point.  Not to mention we have a wasteland survival guide in the library.  Where did that come from?"

My mom looked at me and said, "Sweetie, please drop this idea.  You're a vault dweller.  You're safe here.  That's how it is."  I decided to drop it.  I didn't want to argue with my mom and I knew her heart was in the right place, but I couldn't take it anymore.  I finished breakfast, hugged her, and went out to find Kari and Dez.

I decided to head to the library in the hopes that I would run into them there, and I wasn't disappointed.  They were sitting together reading magazines.  Dez was deep into a Programmer's Digest, and Kari was skimming through an issue of Locksmith's Reader.  I pulled up a chair, and sat down to join them.

They didn't bother to look up because they already knew who I was.  "Guys, I've had enough.  I have to get out of here."  Dez looked up and asked, "Are you still on this wastelands stuff?"  Kari closed her magazine and studied me.  I pressed on.  "Yeah, I'm still on that wastelands stuff.  I've been thinking."

Kari smiled and said, "Oh, here we go."  I returned her smile and said, "I need your help.  Since I can't seem to convince you two to come with me, at least you can help me try to get out of here."

"What about your mom?" Dez asked.  Mom.  I really didn't want to leave her, but I knew there was no way she would entertain the idea of joining me outside of the vault.  She wasn't cut out for it.  She would be safer inside.  "I don't want to leave her behind, but I can't convince her to let me go if there's a way out or to even join me if I do get out.  I don't know what I'll do about that yet."  They looked at each other, and I saw the look of resignation pass between them.  Kari spoke up.  "Ok, what do you need?"

I thought it over carefully.  "Well, I need a copy of that wasteland survival guide, for one thing.  I need a weapon and some ammo, and I need to get into Overseer Milton's office.  I know the key for unlocking the vault has to be there."  Dez threw his hands up and said, "Whoa.  Bust into the overseer's office?  We could get into major trouble and even if you get out, we'd still have to face the music."  Kari agreed with him.

"You guys said you would help.  Now will you or won't you?  Either way, I'm leaving."

Dez sighed.  "Fine.  We'll help you.  Whatever you need."  Kari spoke up.  "The easiest thing is to get that wasteland survival guide for you.  Meet us in a couple of hours.  Rest.  We'll all need it."  My friends.  I loved them, still do, because they were true to the end.  I smiled.  "Great.  Meet me back here then."

We parted ways, and I went to my room.  Mom had gone to work, so I had the space to myself.  I couldn't rest; I was too wound up for that.  I thought about how I would break the news to Mom.  It wouldn't be without pain, but maybe I could make it swift and decisive.  I decided to leave her a holotape detailing my plan and assuring her of my love.  I hoped she would understand and forgive me.

A few hours passed, and I glanced at my Pip-Boy.  It was time to meet my friends.  I grabbed up the few caps I had and headed to the library.

Sure enough, they were both waiting for me.  Dez motioned for me to follow them, and we headed to a secluded corner.  Kari shoved the guide into my hand, and I quickly stuffed it into my vault suit.  Dez handed me a 10mm pistol, ammo, and a knife.  I secured the items and asked where he got them. He looked at me and shrugged.  I didn't ask anymore questions.  I was just grateful for the help.  Kari handed me five stimpaks, a purified water, and a box of Cram.  I thanked my buddies and felt set.

"Now for the hard part, getting me out of here," I said.  Dez gave me a look and said, "I think I know how to create a distraction.  Let's go."

That's it for now.

I plan to keep adding to the story.  I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read what I write.  Thank you.

Game on, my friends.

Retro Video Game Ads

How awesome were they?

I was thumbing through some of my old comics, and I was overcome with nostalgia.  I took two trips down memory lane for the cost of one.

I find retro video game ads fascinating.  Maybe I need to get a life, maybe, but they simply remind me of the awesome part of my life that was childhood.

So, I decided to snap a few pics of the ads in my comics.  I'm no photographer, but I just wanted to share these.  This is a picture heavy blog post.  I'm sorry they're not lined up all pretty.  I couldn't get them to act right.  It bugs me because I have OCD, but I hope it doesn't deter you from enjoying them.  

I realize the X-Men pic is of a video tape offer.  I included it anyway.  Pizza Hut used to have some awesome promotions.  It was an X-clusive (see what they did there).

I'm still working on my Fallout post.  I want it to be good, but it's coming.  Enjoy!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles handheld game

TurboGrafx-16

Nintendo Double Player

NBA All-Star Challenge 2

BurgerTime

Q*Bert

NFL Quarterback Club

Alien Vs. Predator

X-Men video offer with Pizza Hut

Spyro the Dragon

Atari Lynx

The Incredible Crash Dummies

Total Recall

Street Fighter II Turbo

Mortal Kombat

Doom Troopers: Mutant Chronicles

Spawn the Video Game

Krusty's Fun House, Krusty's Super Fun House

Mega Man 5

Alien 3

Dick Vitale's "Awesome Baby!" College Hoops

Wolverine Admantium Rage

NFL Quarterback Club

NBA Jam

Wizardry V

Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers

Level Up Your Life

I am level 31.

As you may have guessed, I look at life differently from most people.  I don't age up; I level up.  I'm a gamer, so I look at life as an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game) or a life simulation game.  Every day is a chance for me to earn experience points towards my next level.

Okay now, hang in here with me.  I tend to have strange perspectives on things.

As I sit here, I think back on all the little ways I earned XP this past year.  Let's see:

• I haggled with various merchants throughout the land and my barter skill increased
• I acquired better armor (developed thicker skin)
• I devoted many hours to learning and became a certified surgical technologist
• I trained hard and lost 40 pounds
• I read lots of articles on Google, practiced, and became a better cook
• I decided to take a chance on myself and my writing  
• I made more attempts to be social and my charisma and speech skills increased

Cue the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 level up sound, please (it's so epic to me)

BAM!  I leveled up, and my story mode is progressing along quite nicely.

Now if I could find a nice gamer guy, I would be all set.  I guess I still need to acquire more charisma points before that happens.  Some speech points wouldn't hurt, either.  Let's add some perception points in there so I can see the bull bull a mile away.  I digress.

I'm a more experienced version of myself compared to last year, but I'm not done.  There is no level cap.  I strive to continuously earn XP and level up again.  As long as the game is being played (life), I'll keep earning it.

Even when bad things happen, they offer chances for me to grow and adapt.  Live, learn, and you'll level up in time.

So what about you?

Treat your life like an adventure game.  Go out and explore the world.  Accept various quests along the way, but don't let the side quests distract you from completing your main quest.  Don't be afraid to tackle new challenges head on even if you don't feel that you've leveled up enough for it.  You'll earn XP no matter how it goes.

Form alliances with other players and join guilds/clans that assist you on your path.

Strive to become good at a little bit of everything or become highly specialized in one area.  The choice is yours.  Life is meant to be customized.

Now that I think about it, is it just me or does it feel like we're in The Sims?  You know, some player controlling us while we think we have free will.  Just me?  Oh, okay.  Sorry, random gamer thought.  Anyway, back to my point.

Play the game of life, and play it well.

Live and level up your life.  A short and sweet message for you all.

Oh, and I can't wait to get my copy of Fallout 4.  Yeah!  I'm ready to level up like crazy on that.  Marathon gaming sessions for the win.  I'm working on a special blog post to celebrate that.  It'll probably be up in the next few days.

How have you leveled up your life?  Feel free to drop a comment below.

Game on, my friends.

Black Gamer Girl's Top 100 Games

My Top 100 Games of All Time

I want to stress that this is my own list.  We can discuss this all day, though.  I'll never put down someone else's list.  I've been playing games for decades, and I've come across some that I absolutely adore no matter how well they were received.

These are not ranked according to how much I loved them, either.  I'm simply listing them all.

Again, these are not ranked in any sort of order.  I want to stress that.

I either enjoyed the gameplay, the stories, or they are just a part of my childhood.  Simple, right?

So without further ado, here they go.

1. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
2. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
3. Grand Theft Auto IV
4. Manhunt
5. Bioshock
6. Galaga
7. Pac-Man
8. God of War
9. NBA Street
10. Crash Bandicoot
11. NBA Jam
12. Mortal Kombat
13. Mortal Kombat II
14. Mortal Kombat 3
15. Street Fighter II
16. Street Fighter IV
17. Virtua Fighter V
18. Streets of Rage 2
19. Super Mario Bros.
20. Super Mario Bros. 3
21. Super Mario World
22. Donkey Kong Country
23. Super Mario Kart
24. Left 4 Dead
25. Left 4 Dead 2
    
26. Dead Rising
27. Resident Evil
28. Resident Evil 2
29. Resident Evil 3
30. Call of Duty: World at War
31. Call of Duty: Black Ops
32. Sonic the Hedgehog
33. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
34. Silent Hill
35. The Walking Dead
36. Tomb Raider
37. Battlefield 3
38. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
39. Assassin's Creed
40. Fallout 3
41. Fallout: New Vegas
42. Rayman
43. Borderlands
44. Resident Evil 4
45. Batman: Arkham City
46. Contra
47. Bully
48. Super Smash Bros.
49. GoldenEye 007
50. Splinter Cell
    
51. Max Payne
52. Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style
53. Bust A Groove
54. Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
55. Outlast
56. Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racoonus
57. Red Dead Redemption
58. Comix Zone
59. Alan Wake
60. Burnout Revenge
61. Devil May Cry
62. Metal Gear Solid
63. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
64. Final Fantasy
65. Dead Island
66. Nightmare Creatures
67. Tekken 6
68. Dino Crisis
69. Rad Racer
70. The Legend of Zelda
71. Mega Man
72. Mario Party
73. Crash Bash
74. Metroid
75. Mike Tyson's Punch Out!!
    
76. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
77. Paperboy 2
78. Ninja Gaiden
79. Rampage
80. Tetris
81. Dead Rising 3
82. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
83. F-Zero
84. Grand Theft Auto V
85. Killer Instinct
86. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
87. L.A. Noire
88. DJ Hero
89. The Sims 2
90. The Sims 3
91. Mortal Kombat X
92. Super Mario 64
93. Conker's Bad Fur Day
94. Cruis'n USA
95. Prototype
96. The Walking Dead: Season Two
97. Ape Escape
98. Dead Space
99. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
100. Saints Row

The list is completed!

Whoa, and there it is.  I stressed over this list and constantly added and removed games.  I'm not ranking or critiquing games; I'll leave that to the experts.

Games are about having fun, right?  I play for fun.

If I left off one of your favorites, it's not cause I think it sucked.  This is just a list of what I like.  I can't list everything in a top 100.  Want to discuss it?  Drop some comments below and we can have a civil discussion or share it.  I do enjoy talking about games, after all.

My list is flexible if someone mentions one I love but forgot to list.  It's not set in stone.

Game on, my friends.