Today I'd like to talk about gaming.

I'm not really a gamer. I don't spend endless hours playing games on my computer all the time. But I'm not really a casual gamer either. Adding the term "casual" to gaming reminds me of "casual sex", which is not really my relationship with gaming at all.

I think that's it. I have a relationship with games. There are a few select games or genres of games or creators of games that I have an intense craving for.

For example. The Sims. I used to think I would outgrow that. But no. I don't think I ever, ever will. The desire to be god and create little people is too great.

Also, my RPGs, like Oblivion, and KOTOR (Knights of the Old Republic)--one and two. I've always wanted to be a jedi and that game fills that desire because I can (within limits of the story) impact on the outcome of the world. As for Oblivion, same reason, but there are less limits. If I don't *feel* like locating Sean Bean and naming him Emperor, then maybe I'll just go pick every flower in the game and line them up meticulously on my alchemy bench.

And we can't forget Spiderweb Software games.. This one guy makes whole games. Graphics aren't great, but it doesn't matter because his stories are engaging. And that's what matters the most.

Because that's what games are. Interactive stories. Stories with heavy visual elements which you manipulate to affect the outcome.

And everybody likes to feel like they're in control of the story.