Video games are absolutely amazing. They can provide fantastic adventure, a base to forge friendships on, pulse-pounding excitement, and a chance to break away from our normal, everyday lives. Video games have helped defined who I am more than anything else. Some of my favorite memories are of digital worlds I could never actually visit, though I still know them better than my own neighborhood. I was saving towns that never existed and preventing the destruction of people I could never actually meet. Yet, those memories and experiences don't stop when the console is powered down; they continue to play in my mind. They remind me of real people and places from my past. When I play games from twenty years ago, I can remember everything. I can feel the soft, velvety fabric of my favorite couch. I can remember all my gaming posters crookedly attached to the wall with tape and the sound of the mechanical fan attached to my overhead light that wiggled when it spun. The memory of old friendships built on connections to virtual worlds shaped my very existence. Some friends loved Super Mario Brothers. Others favored Diablo. Regardless of the game, it all came down to one thing: our love for video games. Over the years, it's become clear that many people have also had similar experiences, and they can relate to this book because of their passion for gaming. What you're about to read is a collection of stories about why I love games so much and why these games mean so much to those who play them. This book focuses on the value of gaming and the emotion we feel from being a gamer. The stories are not arranged chronologically and can be enjoyed in any order you choose. Each story will explore different experiences from my past, as well as my friends, with similar experiences to millions of other gamers. Even if you haven't played some of the games so ingrained in my own memory, I'm sure you'll find my experiences something to relate to. I hope you enjoy this book, and I hope it helps remind you of why we love games!
