Gaming
When do you rework your weekend gaming goals?
It’s 2 in the morning as I start writing, and I have work in 9 hours.
What is your favorite genre of game and what makes it your favorite?
In terms of both video games and tabletop games, I tend to prefer role-playing games.
What games just hit that perfect dopamine spot in your brain?
Honestly, one of the reasons I'm still playing Diablo 3 all these years later (it came out in 2012) is because it still has this perfect gameplay loop that sparks a mellow, relaxed feeling for me.
How many games do you play at once, and what makes you stop playing a game?
I'm personally the kind of player who finds a game he likes and plays it into the ground, logging in repeatedly to play multiple characters.
What do you think about difficulty modes in games?
I'm legally blind, the result of a condition called retinopathy that is causing the blood vessels in my retina to, well, explode.
What’s the easiest way to introduce someone to gaming?
If you're the gamer in your friend group or family, you often get asked about the various games you play, be they video games, tabletop RPGs, board games -- I have lost track of the amount of times I've been asked to explain Catan to people -- and you're put in the position of serving as a sort of unofficial ambassador for the hobbies you participate in and enjoy.
How do you game through holiday madness?
I think we all experience at least a touch of overload every December.
What do you most enjoy about the games you play?
I mean, straight up, transmog has made me love so, so many games — from World of Warcraft to Assassin's Creed Odyssey I enjoy playing dress up with my little POV character almost as much as getting a compelling story or satisfying gameplay loops.
If you want World of Warcraft to be a better game, don’t be a jerk
It's often tempting to forget that MMOs are full of other people.
How long can you devote to a game in one sitting?
As I've gotten older -- seriously, so old, ice forms on my north side -- I simply have a hard time devoting the same kind of time to a video game as I used to.