We’ve all heard of paying it forward, the trend of purchasing something small for someone behind you in line—paying for their meal or their coffee to spread some good will. In my column this semester we’ll be playing it forward by taking a look at our community and how gaming impacts us.
My years of gaming for fun have lead me on countless adventures across the country and blessed me with many positive relationships.
I’ve been privy to the industry side of gaming, enjoyed and participated in competitive gaming since a young age and continue to go to gatherings, host events and simply enjoy gaming developments in my free time from coast to coast and even here in Ohio.
If you name it I’ve probably got some knowledge on it. If I don’t, I’d probably love to know about it. From trading card games to PC, console games to handhelds, arcade and indie; I’ve been involved in them all.
I unashamedly play Pokemon the Trading Card Game, gone to Yu-gi-Oh competitions, set releases, played beta tests for large titles and managed to reach higher ranks of competitive play on PC titles and typically amateur to novice level on console titles. I’ve also been a high-ranker on popular mobile games. Handheld competitive gaming is a solid go-to for me as well for a few titles.
I have worked for and attend many gaming events and anime conventions where I play demos for unreleased titles, collect swag where I can and interact with diehard fans, friends and competitors of the series.
Video gaming has been a rewarding passion of mine that I haven’t spoke on much during my time at the Clarion as far as the paper itself goes. Everyone at the paper already fully understands my status as a geek.
With this semester I’ll be incorporating some of my experiences and thoughts about gaming as a whole while throwing in my perspective on companies and the Dayton gaming scene.
You may be surprised on just how far a passion for video games can take you and just how culturally significant the impacts of an emerging competitive video gaming community are.
Look forward to level one next week where I’ll explore the emergence of eSports in Dayton. Have you ever thought video games could get you into college? You might want to start thinking now because scholarships are about to get much more competitive.
Are you a participating in an event in the area, a part of an organization here or have a suggestion about gaming content? Contact Barton at 937.512.4577, email Clarion@Sinclair.edu or visit the Clarion office in Building 6 Room 314.
Barton Kleen
Managing Editor