I’ve posted elsewhere in the Gaming section, but it’s time for a proper intro here I think.
I’ve been reading this forum for a long time...maybe not from it’s inception, but close. The coming of the XSX/PS5 generation, for whatever reason, finally compelled me to join up as an active member here. It’s probably safe to say that I skew towards the older age bracket of forum members. My life long passion for video games was forged with the home Pong console in 1978 or 1979. That’ll give ya a good indicator of my vintage.
From there....a close cousin had an Atari 2600 and we played the heck out of that. It also provided my first experience with video game related disillusionment with E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. Oh god. My very first traditional console was Mattel‘s IntellIvision. Tremendous memories playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. First time I had heard attempts at “speech” in a game...anyone remember Major League Baseball’s “yer out!”? Awful now, but mindblowing back then. I felt pretty good about myself with my Intellivision and my good stack of games until a neighbour kid got a Colecovision...which quite easily kicked the crap out of my box. I was over there playing Zaxxon and Cosmic Avenger a ton.
This could get dreadfully long if I continued in this way...so...a quick history of my video game life....
Primarily a console gamer but I always did have PC’s. The original King’s Quest and it‘s various sequels were highlights.
NES (sue me, but I loved Link 2)
Sega Master System (beating Kenseiden was a big deal).
Sega Genesis (Sonic hype got me).
SNES - will never forget hearing the orchestral score in Actraiser...in particular the ”Fillmore” level.
Sega CD add-on. Looked so badass stacked atop the Genesis. But the actual gaming experience was ultimately underwhelming. This is probably why I didn‘t end up getting a 32X.
Bit of a lull here...and I don’t remember why I didn’t get a PlayStation when it appeared. I just didn’t.
Nintendo 64 was my next console and it felt good to be back in the Nintendo fold. Mario 64. Nuff’ said.
Sega Dreamcast. After skipping the Saturn, it felt similarly good to have a modern Sega console again. Crazy Taxi, so fun.
Nintendo GameCube...I loved it. But it would prove to be the last Nintendo console I would own. I looked at getting a PlayStation 2 but again...just didn’t. Same with the OG Xbox.
At this point my work career was starting to really make huge demands of my time and energy. I knew my days of buying every console were over. I simply no longer had the time to play as much as I once did. I made a mental note to make my next console, and it’s ecosystem the one I’d likely stick with for a while.
Xbox 360. What can I say? I think the only reason I bought it over a PS3 was that it came out first. And I didn’t have ANY history with Playstation up until that point....Xbox either though. But again, 360 appeared first when I was ready to buy a new console. I grew to really love the Xbox ecosystem....and with the release of ES: Oblivion I was well and truly hooked. Given the demands of my career I played as much as I could....and despite a RROD thrown into the mix I loved the 360 experience.
Xbox One. Given the rather extensive nature of my games library and my familiarity with Xbox and it’s workings it really was a no brainer decision. My career was going nuts at this point and I was only vaguely aware of the myriad of issues with the launch of the One.
Fast forward to 2014. I retired from my career. Very, very fortunate to be able to do this younger than most can. Hard work and a good amount of luck. Obviously, without a job I was able to game much more. And it was here that I became more aware of the problems with the Xbox One. I wasn’t terribly pleased to see it run games worse than it’s PlayStation counterpart. More than a few times I was tempted to enter the PlayStation world for the first time. But, being retired in my 40’s, I was also doing a ton of other fun stuff and wasn’t convinced I NEEDED two consoles.
Xbox One X. When this appeared I grabbed it up quickly. It is my current console and it is everything I wish the XB1 could have been.
Xbox Series X. I didn’t freak out much when I didn’t snag a pre-order. But, over the past few weeks seeing how MS has been absolutely KILLING IT with their transparency and messaging - and freakin’ BETHESDA - I am now increasingly dismayed that I might have trouble getting my hands on one.
Here is my current gaming setup. The TV is a very recent purchase - a 65” LG CX Oled - I think everyone of my Gaf posts has been related to this amazing thing. My One X is in the lower left cabinet. My 4K PVR box in the center. So, a spare space there on the lower right. What’s a guy to do?
(Ori and the Will of the Wisps (so great) was the first game I played on it)
I’m getting PS5 and will put it down there on the right (if it fits). Now as a guy who has NEVER owned a PlayStation, and very much aware of the completely UNDISCOVERED (to me) library of classic games that await me....it is quite an amazing feeling. But I will likely wait until the PS5 is released with an all-black colour scheme as the current white will clash awfully with my current design sensibility.
See y’all around the forums.