CDG: What attracts you to games?

 

M-L: Stunning graphics and engaging escapism; pure and simple. Keeping myself occupied is a good thing, especially if I’m “watching” TV.

 

CDG: Favorite game?

 

M-L: So far, God of War: Chains of Olympus. I love the beat-down Kratos lays out.

 

CDG: What do you think of the perception that video gaming is a guy’s thing?

 

M-L: I think it’s true actually. I don’t know any girl gamers except through CDG. However, it’s BS that just because it’s been a guy-dominated arena for so long that chicks can’t or aren’t interested in getting on the gamer bandwagon. What’s even worse is that the industry targets chicks with things like pink consoles and controllers or sim-games that perpetuate “traditionally female roles” like cooking and raising baby: LAME.

 

CDG: Do you play to win or play for fun?

 

M-L: I play to vent! So, yeah, winning is fun. If I lose though, I just get to do it again!

 

CDG: How often do you play?

 

M-L: Since I'm just getting back into games, after a decade or more away from my old-school PC games, I play an hour or so almost every day.

 

CDG: Do you enjoy playing alone or with other people?

 

M-L: Haven't had a lot of opportunities to play with others yet, but I've played a couple ad-hoc/WLAN CAPCOM games on the PSP

 

CDG: Who do you play with?

 

M-L: The boys at work, so far.

 

CDG: Are there other games you are looking forward to playing?

 

M-L: Anything RACING. I’m a total sucker for the driving games. I think it’s Need for Speed that’s gonna get my thumbs in slings. I might be interested in Crisis Core since it looks like a pretty similar play experience to GOW. I need to get myself over to someone’s house who has GTA IV!

 

CDG: What console do you play on?

 

M-L: I just bought a PSP (slim, silver.) It’s all I have right now. It was a gateway drug before I go total addict and get an XBOX 360.

 

CDG: What games do you own?

 

M-L: God of War Chains of Olympus, Patapon, Loco Roco, Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, the CAPCOM old arcade game bundle. I tried playing Daxter and R&C and I couldn’t stand them. Too tame. GOW, however, I LOVE. I don’t think I’m gonna be so down with FPS games though. Too “reality-based,” I think. The mythology basis of GOW is really well done and therefore engaging.

CDG: Do you play any online games?

 

M-L: Like WOW? Or like XBOX Live? Not yet. I’m a lot curious about WOW, but a lot tentative about making the time commitment. I have a busy life; working in time for gaming is not easy.

 

 

CDG: Anything surprise you about gaming?

 

M-L: Definitely do not play something like God of War to “relax!” Made that mistake the first night I got it. Played for like an hour before trying to go to bed…couldn’t sleep at all because I was all wound up. Absolutely a good way to blow off some steam though.

 

CDG: Any troubles?

 

M-L: I’ve discovered that I really don’t “speak the language.” I’d be playing something like LocoRoco and get completely confounded about how to proceed past a certain point. Turns out that I had missed collecting one “spot” and that was the one that opened up a new path. Probably totally obvious to someone who’s been playing a while, but to a noob; it’s a revelation. A friend recommended and FAQ site. That really helps when I get stuck, but I don’t like reading ahead. I want to try it myself first.

 

CDG: What other kind of leisure activities do you enjoy?

 

M-L:I work a lot but I do participate in several cultural organizations including a Finnish music group. If I’ve got time to myself, I like to spend it with friends, going to concerts, museums, and restaurants, and finishing up my always unfinished list of DIY dreams. This new toy will definitely come along on my travels though!
Epilogue: It’s been a couple weeks since I answered these questions. I got stuck fighting Persephone/Atlas in the last battle of GOW and haven’t been able to really get past the smashing blows of Atlas. Stuck = less game time. Thinking of starting over in the next mode since I went total Mortal the first time through. I am looking forward to moving on to some driving/racing games as well as getting to some system with a decent sized screen.