What our moms think about video games
On Sunday, moms, mothers, mums and at least one half of the pop group responsible for California Dreamin' will be celebrated for Mother's Day.
Since our moms taught us everything we know (or so they tell us, anyway) the Joystiq staff wanted to celebrate by asking them what they thought about the industry, whether or not they partake in the favorite hobby of their sons and daughters and quiz them about what it is their children do for a living.
From all of us at Joystiq, we wish all moms a very happy mother's day!
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
Honestly, my first thought is "I hope he doesn't ask me anything about them because I know nothing!" I think video games are good entertainment most of the time - when a person can't interact with something else besides a video game, then I think they are bad.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
I don't play any games! Maybe I would like them now that I have retired - we'll see!
What is a memory you have of my playing games? Could be either good or bad.
You were obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog and another game that had dolphins - you played them all the time. Then a "scary" one came along - I can't think of the name right now - and you would tell me what the story was behind it and I thought "no way would I play that game!" Most of the games you played had very elaborate plots, storylines, and characters. It always amazed me how you figured them out.
Describe what I do for a living.
You used to write reviews of video games or talk about the aspects and characters of the games. Now I think your job has changed a little bit in that it is more blog-like and you write about the immediate "happenings" in the video gaming industry through social-media. Am I close?
Sam's Note: She's talking about Ecco the Dolphin and Silent Hill. D'awww.
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
No, I think it's good because this generation is all enthusiastic about video games. I think it's good for the kids to watch and play. I think it's just fun. To me it's fun!
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
Sometimes I do crosswords and sometimes those scratch tickets. That's basically it. That's a game, right? Sometimes I play cards. I know how to play cards, that's a different kind of game. [Xav's Note: My mom's favorite card game, that I remember, was a variation on "Asshole." I remember a lot of laughing and screaming when people would lose. I also had her play the soccer game in Kinect Sports once and I've never seen her laugh so hard!]
What is a memory you have of my playing games? Could be either good or bad.
The first games you started to play were on Nintendo. I remember we were at your uncle's house and his kids – they were bigger than you – they had a Nintendo and that's the first time you saw video games. One day we were about to leave and you didn't want to go because you were so enthusiastic about playing Nintendo with them. So on the way back home your father stopped at a video store and he bought you the Nintendo. From then you've started playing video games and that's why you got the enthusiasm to work in [EB Games] and then write about it. Since maybe when you were six or seven you've been interested in video games. [Xav's Note: This story is a memory I will never forget and gets me a little misty-eyed when I remember how hard they worked to be able to get me and my sister that system. I still own that Nintendo Entertainment System. I'll never let it go.]
Describe what I do for a living.
I think you watch and play the games and you go to the computer and write about it. You explain to the public what's good and how it works. You travel and talk to people in meetings and you talk about the business and you write about it. Your work is on the internet and in magazines. I've seen you on TV and heard you on the radio!
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
When I hear "video games", I think of dark castles or caves with "things" coming at you and you must get them before they get you. They are not good or bad of themselves but like anything you can get too much. I would think it can be too intense. Best to take a break now and then.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
I have a Wii and i have played some games on that but I get lazy and don't play enough. I play Scrabble on my iPad. Not so much lately as I don't like the tournament dictionary and it is pretty easy to win against the computer using the other dictionary. Also have played Angry Birds but I get easily frustrated and have slow reflexes so I am not a good candidate for video games. [Susan's Note: She's three-starred every level in every Angry Birds, so I have no idea where this "not a good candidate" malarky is coming from. She also crushes me like a tiny bug whenever we play Scrabble.]
What is a memory you have of my playing games? Could be either good or bad.
My earliest memories of you with games are of you and your dad playing Pac-Man and some game with space ships on the floor in front of the TV. You were very little, possibly not in school yet. They are happy memories. Good that you and he had fun together and I was so proud that you had the intelligence to grasp the concept at such a young age. [Susan's Note: The game with the space ships was Space Invaders.]
Describe what I do for a living.
I am never quite sure what you do for a living. It was easier when you started out and were mostly just offering your opinion on games and products you had reviewed. As you have advanced and added more responsibilities, you have gone on to areas with which I am not familiar.
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
Why would I think they're bad? They're good! They were life-changing for my son. You loved Nintendo.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
No. I'm old. I couldn't get past the first jump in Super Mario Bros. [Danny's Note: Brother afterward informed me that he tried to get her to play Daytona USA recently, and she didn't do too well.]
What is a memory you have of my playing games? Could be either good or bad.
I just remember [sings NES Ghosts 'n Goblins theme] and [sings NES The Legend of Zelda theme]. I don't remember you playing the games, just the music. They had catchy music.
Describe what I do for a living.
My son is a writer. A very good writer. An excellent writer. The best writer in the world. When you were little I'd say, "What do you think you're going to do, make money playing video games?" and that's what you're doing now. [laughs]
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
I think of my son and daughter playing games together at home, at Peter Piper pizza and other arcades. I believe they can be good and bad. Some games are too violent or degrading (more frequently to women, than men), can wind a person up too tight, creating tension, and can be an issue for some people that aren't able to balance their time playing, along with other things in life. They can also be relaxing and fun, can be socially stimulating when played with others, and you can learn things from them.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
I play Pac-Man when I am at my brother's house or at a facility that has the game. I would consider playing at home if I had more time. I like Pac-Man because it is fun and challenging and the characters and sounds are peppy! Pac-Man brings back great memories of my younger days when my friends, siblings and I would play them at bars and bowling alleys. (We did not have home video gaming systems – other than Pong and that was a big deal when it debuted.) I also enjoy playing Tetris and Asteroids, but haven't played these for years.
What is a memory you have of my playing games?
I remember you playing James Bond 007 with your step-father and brother and enjoyed watching you play together.
Describe what I do for a living.
You are a Senior Reporter with Joystiq, producing superb & witty written pieces after investigating and analyzing video games and the companies/people involved in the development, production and distribution of such.
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
When I think of video games I think good. I think of happy, engaged, giggling, exuberant little boys. Our house was filled with the sound of them.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
I play on my phone and occasionally on my computer. Snail Mail, Skee Ball and Angry Birds on the phone and Bejeweled and Burning Monkey Solitaire on the computer. They're fun!
What is a memory you have of my playing games?
Since Richard has told you the story of our adventures with black ice and the 'must have now' video game, I would have to say my next memory would be daily life with the music of Zelda as the continuous soundtrack! Even now when I hear it, it takes me vividly back to those days. It's good!
Describe what I do for a living.
My son Richard, who never ceases to amaze me and fill me with pride, is the Reviews Editor for Joystiq. Somehow he managed to take his boyhood passion and turn it into a profession that allows him to be creative and travel and meet interesting people! How many can say that?! He has a beautiful mind and is a truly beautiful person. I am both proud of and humbled by him ... but of course, I am his Mom!
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
I think of your passion, your obsession, something you really enjoy doing, something you get lost in time, something you're very good at. They're both good or bad, depending on how much of your life they eat up, how much of your social life (with actual people) they eat up, and whether you're playing games that are all really gory, creepy, dark, and if you never play fun games like Mario Kart. I think there can be good things in video games- like teaching you skills, like good decision making.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
The last time I played there was Mario and he would jump up and get strawberries and there was a Bowser. I think I played that one that came out where you could bowl or there was a tennis racket [Wii Sports]. I play Dots, I don't know of any other ones I would play.
What is a memory you have of my playing games? Could be either good or bad.
You used to have your friends over and you guys played Rock Band, I think you had a great time – it was a good social time for you to do social stuff with your friends and they got a kick out of it.
Describe what I do for a living.
You don't review video games, you write articles about video game developers and companies. You go to these conferences and you get the opportunity to meet the actual developers – I don't know if there are people that actually own video game companies there – but you get to meet them and talk in person, and film them for interviews and edit videos.
What do you think of when I say "video games"? Do you think they are good or bad?
When I hear "video games" I think boys and noise, but in a good way. The house was alive with sounds of shooting, car tires and, of course, laughter. Over the years the video games became so much part of our lives that the idea of not having video games in this house was unthinkable. Entire cupboards are packed with games. I have always seen video games (and board games) as exercise for your brain. I think games are good and although I am pretty bad at playing games, I spent hours of my time watching you play (sometimes sneaking in my knitting, but as long as I was there to watch). Later on, I think of the music you guys made with the guitars, drums and things, if it can be classed as video games. Those Beatle songs were the best. So I guess my answer is these games are pretty good. I have no bad feelings towards video games.
Do you play any games? What are they and why?
Hmmmmm ... now my secret is out. I play games, in fact I play every chance I get and sometimes have snuck in a quick game at work when I take a tea break. It is so relaxing, and sometimes before I go to sleep I play a quick game or two. Relaxation I think. OK, I play Angry Birds, Candy Crush, Pet Rescue, Farm Heroes, Cut the Rope, Sudoku, Panda Jam, and then my all-time longest running game (several versions), Mahjong. I have probably played Mahjong for as many years as I can remember. Why? I play these games because there is no rush and I actually can press the right buttons while the fast-paced shooting, fighting games and car driving games are just too fast for me, and I have too many fingers in the wrong places with those. So I stick to the more calm and less speedy games. Maybe it is an age thing and being a mum. Growing up with the serious video games gives younger people an advantage, so that is why they are so good at it and have those supple fingers pressing all the right buttons at crazy speed. My friends think I am crazy playing games as they just don't even think about it.
What is a memory you have of my playing games?
My memories of you playing games go back to when you were in pre-school. I bought a computer for you, the best for the time, but at least it had a color screen and I wrote down how you should insert the disks in big bold letters. This was before you could even read. But I think when I bought the first Atari game machine with games like Pac-Man and some War games, and you played those, this created another avenue for game playing. You see, it is all my fault. I actually encouraged this behavior. I remember how I watched through every version of Sonic and his friends. We had Quest games, I don't know how many, cheat books, pages of written clues, sometimes a few small tantrums when you could not pass a stage in good time. Kids started calling you asking how to get past certain stages. The worst thing was when you needed to get up from the chair for dinner or something and the famous line, "I just want to save this stage," it used to drive me crazy because now we either had to sit and watch our food get cold or we had to start dinner without you. I recall once while we were in the game shop and you were looking for new releases, you overheard parents wondering what game to buy and you promptly assisted them by recommending the best game for their child's age. I think if I sit and really organize my thoughts I can write a book. A book with many pages.
Describe what I do for a living.
What you do for a living right now is being the Editor-in-Chief of Joystiq. However, you can never forget how you got to this point. You started in an attempt to share with others your experience, passion and opinion of various computer games. This you did by writing about the games you have played. People loved your ability to write and your writing is of outstanding quality and clarity. So, you started doing this free of charge and I used to pay the flights to go to E3 and other events until you started (while still at University completing your degree) earning money with your writing and after that it just went from strength to strength. What you do for a living is firstly doing what you have a passion for and that is why you are so good at it (my personal and professional opinion). I always told you if you don't like doing something you will not do it well and clearly you love what you are doing.
