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Birth
90's baby! -
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
The PlayStation 2 was the first console I ever owned, with Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal being the first game I played on it. I remember playing for hours with my cousin in multiplayer. The action 3D platformer taught me about managing ammunition, encouraged exploration, and it's quirky humour and memorable characters shaped my childhood. Insomniac Games, 2004, Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, viewed 27 February 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratchet_%26_Clank:_Up_Your_Arsenal -
Club Penguin
Club penguin was one of the first games I played where I could look forward to going back to school just to talk to classmates about it during lunch. Playing this game created a little school community club where we would share tips and hints and talk about new content. We would organise times to play together and also learned to follow online rules. New Horizon Interactive RocketSnail Games, 2005, Club Penguin. viewed on 27 February 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Penguin -
Pokemon Pearl
The Nintendo DS was the 2nd console I owned. I brought the small, portable device everywhere I could and banked over 500+ hours into Pearl. The soundtrack still remains one of my favourites. Once, a kid in class challenged me to a battle because he didn't believe that I played. This was my first exposure to competitive gaming; I destroyed him in front of all his friends. Game Freak, 2007, Pokemon Pearl. Viewed on 27 February 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Diamond_and_Pearl -
Dofus
I played this MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) and got addicted. This game was the first one I played where I had to take stats, character classes and skills into account, and strategise what to do next in the turn-based battles. The game was open-world, had PvP and PvE and also included in-game transactions with a whole online market. Being Free to Play put me at a big disadvantage. Ankama Games, 2004, Dofus. viewed on 27 February 2021. https://mmos.com/review/dofus -
Minecraft
Minecraft is the first pure sandbox game I had ever played. The game blew up with the online community, where players shared their creations and mechanisms they constructed. It's an open-world, exploration game where you can play either by yourself or with other players. There were so many fun things to do: design buildings, simulate farm life, own pets, survive against mobs or fight bosses. Mojang, 2011, Minecraft cover. viewed on 27 February 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft -
Thirteen Card Game
On days that were rainy during high school lunch breaks we would pull out the cards and play a game of Thirteen. It was a chill game to play while eating and talking. A decent amount of strategy as well as luck to pull good cards was needed to win. We played with each other so often that we learned how aggressive each player played, and were able to start calling each others bluffs and lies. WikiHow. viewed on 27 February 2021. https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Card-Game-13 -
Undertale
While the aesthetics weren't the most impressive, the game's 4th wall breaking mechanics, fun soundtracks, quirky characters and intriguing plot were charming enough. The pixelated sprites were also nostalgic of older games. The community involvement was huge; fans were creating art, stories, games and even digging into the code to find answers. This inspired me to pursue illustration. Toby Fox, 2015, Undertale. https://www.usgamer.net/articles/why-undertales-end-game-tops-all-other-rpg-finales -
Stardew Valley
This indie game was made by one game designer and is highly successful, launching on multiple platforms with consistent updates and new content to this day. I bought and played this game on several platforms and spent many hours getting lost in the simulation of farm life. It's calm yet addicting, with friendly characters you can choose to bond with and areas to explore. ConcernedApe, 2016, Stardew Valley logo. viewed 27 February 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardew_Valley -
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This was the game that urged me to purchase the Nintendo Switch. Compared to previous titles in the series, they pushed the boundaries of how "open" and "free" they could make the world and play style. The game encouraged exploration, and you feel rewarded for your curiosity. Players are encouraged to play their own way at their own pace. Nintendo, 2017, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. viewed 27 February 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Breath_of_the_Wild -
Genshin Impact
I am currently playing this free, online, open-world RPG game. The game went hard on digital advertising and still continues to do so. It uses a gacha system, a monetisation scheme, which entices players to keep summoning to obtain a particular item or character that typically has a certain chance of appearing. The on-going updates keep me tuned in. MiHoYo, 2020, Genshin Impact. viewed on 27 February 2021. https://www.rpgsite.net/news/8798-genshin-impact-is-coming-to-playstation-4-next-year
