A Couple of Gamers

An Interview with an Imaginary Friend

Posted on Nov 01, 2009 by Lori in Off-Screen Action

Robots are understandable as an artistic outlet. So are trees and whales and octopi. Even cats. But why video games?

Games have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Sort of a friend to the friendless in my younger years—and I know I’m not alone in that. Games are sort of the nerdy secret handshake of our generation. You can tell who is a nerd at heart when they recognize this [referring to the Bubble Bobble-inspired art shown on the previous page] and you know they went the full 100 rounds. Games are sort of unique for our generation (here, I assume you and I are of the same general age) [I'm older, but you're such a dear for thinking otherwise]; kids of the ’80s really grew up with games and game culture, so they’re as much a part of us as comic books were to our progenitors.  I guess games—as a subject manner—is as much a way to seek out my true nerdy friends as it is a sort of tribute to the defining media of our generation.

One of the main target demographics of our site concerns couples who game together. As a married man, how do video games factor into your relationship? (Does your wife share your passion?)

There’s nothing like gaming with your partner. It’s just great. While my wife isn’t a big gamer, she likes to watch me play—though she has been known to pick up a controller from time to time. We often enjoy an evening of Bust-a-Move or Mario Kart, and I’m trying to get her to take on the swarms of Left 4 Dead zombies with me. I recently bought Trials HD on XBLA, and she loves it. As a jaded adult gamer, it’s refreshing to see someone really enjoy themselves with whooping bouts of laughter and screams when playing a game. I think her fresh-faced prospective reminds me why I love the culture so much.

I think you should offer delivery of your work by an imaginary man in a bear head as a local shipping option on your Etsy site. May I be the first to choose that option for my pocket tree?

You may. I offer many avenues of delivery, including Ground-based Oxen-back Courier, Express Dirigible, and Buried Treasure with Map.

What’s with this soft and cuddly Pyramid Head here? Are you trying to make my brain explode?

Yes. Did it work?

All photos courtesy of imaginarythomas.com.