My Platforms

1. How much of a gamer are you? Do you play a lot of games? Or do you play a small selection of games a lot? Or do you not play much at all?
   I like to think of myself as a gamer, rather than a casual one. Steam keeps a record of the games I play and I play about 25-30 hours a week playing games. I have a large library of games, some of which I play a lot (with Terraria and Killing Floor having 95 and 72 hours to them, respectively), while others I don't play as much.

2. Why do you play games? What is it about them that is so enjoyable? If you don't play many games, is there a reason? What do you think might encourage you to play more regularly?
   I play games because I enjoy them, no ifs ands or buts. They provide a heap of entertainment for me and help me with skills. From turn based strategy micromanagement games such as XCOM: Enemy Unknown and Prison Architect, I have learnt the values of saving resources, as I'm constantly running out of money; and I've have developed problem solving skills, as I have to adapt to situations that I never thought would happen, such as an ambush in XCOM, or in Prison Architect my prisoners not cooperating and starting a riot so I have to call all of my guards off patrol to sort out the mess.
   I don't believe I need any encouragement to play more games, as I believe the 25-30 hours is a good standard amount of time to play weekly.

3. What gaming platforms have you owned in your lifetime?
   My earliest platform was arguably a computer. My father sat me down on his lap and taught me how the mouse works, which led into teaching me how to interact with my first ever game, Mr. Potato Head. Then we started playing Doom, Quake and a real time strategy game known as Commandos, all of this from a very young age. Now he calls me to fix the computer when it breaks.
   My first console was a PlayStation, a neighbour had a spare one and gifted it to me, so that was the general reason I support PlayStation more than the XBox. My first game for that console was Spider-Man, which I finished all by myself.
   In my time, I've also owned an XBox original, which had my favourite RPG of all time, Fable. I've also owned a PlayStation 2, which I believe is the console I've owned the longest for. I got s PlayStation 3 so I could play God of War III, and I've also owned handhelds such as a GameBoy Advanced, Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable. In recent years, I've converted back to primarily being a PC gamer.

4. What is your earliest gaming memory?
   I unfortunately do not remember playing Mr Potato Head at a very young age (I do remember the game itself, as my siblings have also played it), but i do remember flashes of playing Quake, Commandos and Nicktoons Racing (I believe was the product's name).

5. What is your favourite platform for playing games? Console? PC? Phone? Facebook? Something else? Why is this? Is there is a platform you particularly dislike, why is this also?
   I definantely have to say PC, since PC gaming is far superior to any other. The community is stronger, there's better mod support, there are millions of more games for it (particularly indie games), and PCs are far more powerful.
   However, arguable, the PC is not a platform. So for a games console specifically designed for videogames, that would probably be the PlayStation 2. My fondest childhood memories are on the PlayStation 2.
   I personally do not dislike any particular licensed platform. I could be generic and ramble on how I believe the WiiU and XBox One are terrible concepts for game consoles, but by the time those console were announced, I was a PC gamer, so I didn't particularly care for those consoles, and I've yet to see them in the flesh, let alone touch one, so I do not believe I can give a strong opinion on their quality.

6. What is your favourite genre, series, or individual game? Again, why is this?
   I cannot say I have a particularly favourite genre, though I am a fan of roguelikes because of their replayability. I am also a fan of stealth games, because they are arguable puzzle games combined with action and adventure.
   My favourite individual game I guess I would award to Dishonored, a first-person stealth game set in a plague ridden steampunk London. I love Dishonored because it has a great stealth engine, and the world is unique and the sword combat is the best I've seen in a videogame. Dishonored also knows what it means to be an assassin, - which kind of brings out the sociopath in me - which other games can't seem to get right, such as the Assassin's Creed series eventually turning into an old world business simulator, followed by a pirate game.

7. What is the rationale of your game you are currently making.
   I am making my game (Evolution, a side scrolling shooter) the way I am because I like memorable boss fights, so I believe that a boss fight where the boss evolves and becomes harder and harder is a nice idea.
   As well as Evolution, I am also making another game which I will work on in my spare time as I learn new skills which I am entitling Psionic Striker Force. This is a side scrolling platforming shooter which I am combining magic and shooting into one game, which I hope will be great fun.