Sascha’s introduction to gaming

With E3 around the corner I was asked how I started my love of gaming. So I wanted to delve into that a bit this week. My first game console was shortly after I arrived in Canada from Germany in the early 1980s. My parents found a garage sale that had a Atari 2600 with a few games. That old wood console still brings back fond memories. With English being a second language I really didn't have a large group of friends. I was a geek back when that word wasn't a compliment like it is today.

The Atari system provided me with something I could relate to others with. Being a person that really felt like they don't belong, gaming was an outlet and a common interest.

Even if I couldn't express what I wanted to say at times with language, when we played a game together expression was easy.

Video games mange to break through language barriers and even economic ones. ‘Once the Nintendo Entertainment system hit store shelves I worked for weeks mowing lawns and doing other choirs for my parents to save.

I was one of the first kids to have that wonderful grey system in my school.

That NES was the first system that brought me real joy. Gaming provided a bridge to make friendships easier. It was something every kid could relate to and enjoy.

I remember friends coming over and drooling over the release of Mario 2. Me and my buddies would play as soon as school would let out and play until my parents would tell my friends they had to leave.

Hours and hours would pass in what seemed like minutes or seconds. I remember setting challenges with my friends to see who get the highest score, fastest time etc.

If you add the ability to explore brand new worlds gaming was an easy sell to me. Gaming has evolved over the years for me but that connection to others is still there and going strong.

I have met countless people through XBox Live had developed friendship and the thrill of cracking that game case for the first time is still there. Look for my E3 roundup coming next week. Feel free to contact Sascha below with review requests or for play sessions on consoles.

sggall@telus.net; XBox One acehardy13; PS4 acehardy13