When I think back to my childhood, I'm always amazed at how full of wonder I was. So many things just seemed so magical, so unexplained, and so impossible. While my life, itself, was comparatively simple, looking back, it was still just such an interesting lens to view the world from. The stars just seemed to shine brighter, and the explanations just weren't as readily available, so I guess I wasn't as jaded as I am now. That extends even into the realm of games. While there's no real comparisons to the graphics of then and now, I realize how very unimportant something like that can be. In our minds, that little, blocky, jumble of pixels on the NES was really a spaceship, and we were the captain, setting out to right the wrongs and save the galaxy from destruction by the forces of evil. Video games became something that inspired my imagination, visualizing new worlds and adventures in a way that let me truly become a central part of it all. As I've grown up, and the games have become more complicated, I've really started to lose that sense of wonder. Mysticism has been supplanted with understanding, reason replacing speculation. It's a little sad to think about, sometimes, but for the most part, I realize the advantage that I've gained in looking back. It allows me that perspective when things start getting a little too "real" here in the present. Currently, I'm getting everything set up for a Master's degree in Game Production, which is something that I honestly hadn't considered, especially considering my educational background. But honestly, I couldn't be more excited. That doesn't, of course, make me any kind of expert in anything, as far as I'm concerned, but it at least gives me quite a bit to think about. As I study my favorite hobby now, examining these games to discover how they work and how to improve upon them, I can't help but wonder if I'm going to ruin some of that illusion of wonder that is still inside of me. Sure, maybe it'll still be there on the subconscious level, but on the surface, I've got to dig deeper into the system than simply whether the game looks pretty. Just like when the puppet's magic is broken when you realize that there is a person pulling the strings, so do I worry that upon analyzing and deconstructing these pieces of entertainment, I might inadvertently "ruin" them in some way, at least for myself. It already happened for me with much of film, so it stands to reason that games might be next. Oh well, I guess there's no real use in worrying about it, yet. I'll just have to keep both eyes open, and do my best to learn it all. And then, when I get the chance to bring my own ideas and projects to the table, I'll have to keep in mind that the strings need to be hidden, and the magic must be maintained. Don't know if everyone followed that, but that's alright. It's good enough for me.