So I've been busy with schoolwork the last couple of months, but I finally made the leap to purchase a XBOX 360 a month or so ago when the price drops happened. So now, I'm the proud owner of a 360. Yippee! I was back and forth a little bit with the 360 and PS3, but I know I made the right choice as of now.

Being a person who used to love computer games, I have to admit the current wave of technology and game-age has definitely shifted over to consoles. I can play some sweet games on the 360 now that my older PC would probably struggle with. I like the ease of use and the confidence that each game will run great. However, I will always believe that the PC is the ultimate gaming platform based on its sheer power and performance differential.

So I finally understand achievement points. I mean, finally understand them. For being a person with some amount of difficulty getting started into games nowadays with all the work I do, it's good to be goal oriented sometimes and have something to shoot for. Guess I'm an achievement fan!

I'm diggin the XBL games too, castle crashers and braid were good games and I enjoyed being able to download a game without having to go to the store.

That's about it for now! I have way too many games to play already, but I'd say I'm really looking forward to Fallout 3 (Have been with the series since the first) and Left 4 Dead (because I love zombies). Fable 2 doesn't look like it will cut it for me though, not my type of game, not hardcore enough or deep enough for me. Favorite games right now? Hmm, GTA 4 is fun, but I think I've really enjoyed Assassin's Creed. It's just a gorgeous game and the control system is very smooth.

See ya later suckers.

Having been born and raised as one of the first of the millennial generation, there's no doubt my life has been filled with technology since birth. I am fluent in three different languages; Instant Messaging, 1337, and English (and that's no joke). I've experienced IBM 386 computers, cassette tapes, big laser-disc projectors, cd's, forums, question and answer sessions, helping friends build computers, and most importantly, playing games. However, throughout my life in gaming, I've never experienced "Personal Gaming Depression", or PGD as it's infamously called, until now.

Even though I'm only about 23, I've been through PGD. It hits all ages folks, and it's not pretty. I bet you've all seen or experienced it at one point in your lives, especially all the vets out there. Personal Gaming Depression attacks players where it hurts the most: straight at the brain. Symptoms include but are not limited to: losing interest in video games, staring at a console for long periods of time, reading books, giving away video games, or finding excuses why you don't want to play Wii with your grandmother.

PGD hit me hard in the later years of my college life. I didn't want to play games anymore, even when I had the chance. Looking at new games just didn't get me as excited as it used to. I would wander into Wal-mart, and find that I had already played all the "good" PC games out there. It was disheartening. Some may tell you age or time restrictions are the real culprits to my lack of gaming passion, but that's just ridiculous. Once a gamer, always a gamer.

My ultimate fear is to lose interest in video games forever. I hope that never happens. I want to be that 70 year old gramps slammin' out super smashes on all those Super Smash Bros Brawl (SSBB) kiddies cause they were disrespectin' my umbrella skillz. What serious gamer wouldn't dream of such thoughts?

So, if a Millennial, soaked in technology all the time, is experiencing difficulty in game enjoyment, I can only imagine what others go through. Because of my run in with PGD, I want to offer some tips for any newcomer or aging gamer to help them maintain their passion for gaming in the future, so without further ado, here are my 4 tips for battling PGD:

1) Keep your supportive community.
Examples: Friends who play Halo together, a girlfriend (or boyfriend) who understands your "game time," a forum community.

Having a group of individuals to give you that foundation of continued success is important to maintaining your gaming future. After all, talking about or playing games with others can be a lot more fun at times then busting out solo missions and scratching your dog on the stomach. As well, make sure your friends, family, and significant others out there are supportive of your free time choices. You don't bother cousin Dennis because he likes playing lawn darts in his shorts, so set that expectation and make it an accepted part of your life.

2) If you're in a slump, do something game related.
Examples: Forums, checking out video game stores, reading game magazines, talking with a friend about games.

One of my struggles throughout PGD was my inherent lack of the need to play video games. One of the ways I beat PGD was by maintaining my interest of games through different means. Although I didn't feel like playing on the PS2, I had a renewed interest in making postings on GameSpot or talking to friends about what developers could do to make video games better. This was a life saver, because my interest in games didn't fade even though I couldn't pick up a controller.

3) Play games that you can start and finish in one session.
Examples: Mario Party, Guitar Hero, Wii Play, party games in general.

My next point of advice is to find a game that is fun and single session oriented. The games I've listed above are all great games that you can have fun with and then put them down at the end of the day. They won't fry your brain or worsen your game depression. Having people play along with you gives an important socializing aspect to game play, and you don't need to worry about restarting your console to fight that end boss for the sixth time that night.

4) Take a break if you need it!
Examples: Sleeping, eating, hanging out with friends or family, going to a concert, or fighting the dog for the leftovers.

Don't force yourself to play games or do game activities if you really don't want to. Sometimes, you have to let things take their course, kinda like that mononucleosis thing you can get from people. If you need a week break, take it. Relax, enjoy the outside for once. Get a tan on that pasty skin. The games will always be waiting for you on the sunny side of the hill when you're ready (or in that dark cellar you call your game room).

PGD can be a rough thing to deal with, I know. Hopefully my experience with it will make the journey easier for those of you who must walk the path as well. I love games and the gaming community, and I hate to see people disappear because they fall prey to the complications that come from this nasty disease.

Best regards,

ZeshiO

While I'm still a student, I think it's important to relish in summer vacation while it still exists. I've been taking the chance to catch up on a lot of video games, most of which I still need to beat. I started playing Zelda:Twilight Princess a week ago, and have been loving it! Finding heart pieces drives me crazy.

Other than that, I'll be changing grad schools starting in the fall. I'm here in North Carolina right now, but I'll be moving to Minnesota to focus on health education. I was in Higher Education Administration, which was pretty boring for me, and I made the decision to switch over to the health arena since it's way more interesting. Unfortunately, it just means I added another year to my master's degree.

Sux!