Over the years I've amassed a pretty huge collection of PC and console RPGs. Since my early days with the SNES, the RPG has been a particular passion and my preferred method for wasting time on lazy weekends. My first experiences in the RPG genre were Earthbound and Mario RPG, particularly the latter. Later I would play Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI, Shadowrun on the Genesis, and Chrono Trigger. Despite my eventual fascination with the RPG, my interest in the subject almost failed to materialize.

I can remember renting Earthbound and loving the game, but not having the money to buy it. When I eventually convinced my parents to help me pay for the game, I could no longer find the massive box at Best Buy. The game was sold out and, with my resources, out of reach for the time being. Later, I eagerly rented the latest Mario game (Mario RPG), only to be baffled and frustrated by the lack of traditional Mario platformer game-play. It was only the strategy guide, for sale at our local Blockbuster, that convinced me of the RPG's depth and value. From this guide I was introduced to the concept of RPG game-play and was amazed at the depth of enemies and detailed statistics. I quickly purchased Mario RPG and with a new mindset it became the most played game of my childhood (I beat it thoroughly at least three times).

Over the following years I would come to own Earthbound and other classical RPGs, but a problem plagued my experiences with them. This problem has followed me throughout my life: My lack of long term commitment. Now I'm not talking about personal relationships here (thats something way too pathetic to go into), I'm simply saying that it has been impossible for me to commit to a game long-term. After my obsession with Mario RPG, I couldn't find the interest to complete any of the new RPGs I bought. Earthbound (acquired through the used archives of the ancient and long defunct "Funcoland") was played to the final levels, where I simply stopped. Any subject I have pursued throughout childhood, with the exception of school, has essentially been given up upon before completion. Perhaps it's because my plans are often far too ambitious and require an unreasonable amount of time and effort to complete. It could just be that I have some sort of weird ADD. Whatever the reason, I've had a great amount of difficulty finishing games to completion.

This has become frustrating over the years as I have continually bought new games with the intention of completing them... only to have them pile up unused. I have always felt that one day they may potentially be played, but as my life has continually become more complex and time has become more scarce, this feeling has been cast into doubt. At college I am very committed to my academic studies (History) and I have a pretty enjoyable social life. If I were to ever get a girlfriend somehow, I'm certain that she would probably be the end of my usage of free time for nerdy RPGs. Having said that, I am almost completely inept at social interactions with women and (as much as I would like it) getting a girlfriend is probably not going to happen. According to my calculations I have approximately a 0.78% chance of getting a girlfriend within the next calender year.

So as everything stands, I sit upon a promising academic life in college, good friends, good health, and a massive collection of RPGs. Things really aren't too bad, but I just wish sometimes that I could realistically get around to playing through some of those role-playing gems.