Beyond the Mind's Eye - Thoughts & Insights from Marriott_GuyBeyond the Mind's Eye - Thoughts & Insights from Marriott_Guy

Posted on Oct 20th 2009 at 02:03:51 AM by (Marriott_Guy)
Posted under Site News

Ready, Set, Game!!!

 
I don't know about you, but I tend to be rather ritualistic when preparing for a serious gaming session. Just like setting the table for dinner, everything has to be set just so prior to my indulgence. Preparation is paramount in order to fully enjoy my upcoming virtual experience. Yes, I admit that my OCD tendencies might have some bearing on the extremely structured routine I follow. I would like to believe I am not an island and that all of us gamers share certain 'peccadilloes' in this regard.

Anyway, the following details some of my required groundwork prior to firing up the system and getting lost in the worlds of Oblivion. Items are listed in the order that they are executed.
   

 
Hunt & Gather


 

 
The right selection and quantities of munchies and beverages are critical for any gaming tour of duty.  You can't expect to give it your all while working on an empty tank - you will need to visit the refueling station every now and again to replenish the reserves.

When it comes to munchies, I personally avoid anything that can either 'crumb' or that I can indent my fingerprint upon.  The last thing I need is a controller pasted with chocolate residue and lighted 'flavored' with potato chip salt.  Also, any food that requires delivery utensils of any kind (i.e. fork) is forbidden in my sick world.  Slim Jims fit the bill for me: easy to eat, the correct portion size, no mess at all - the perfect combination (and taste pretty good too).  Low maintenance is a key here in choosing my favorite rations.

Regarding fluids, I have been on a continued quest since 1995 to find a suitable replacement for my ultimate gaming beverage of choice - Gatorade Ice Tea.   This drink had it all - excellent flavor, generous portion size (32 oz.) and provided immediate refreshment.  I am a HUGE ice tea fan, but not so much of the aftereffects endured while deeply entrenched in my game.  The continual runs to the john to pay back the piper gets old quick.  I didn't have to consume great quantities of Gatorade Ice Tea to get the best of both worlds (ice tea flavor and personal rehydration).  Gatorade Frost Glacial Freeze is now my weapon of choice, but I still dearly miss long lost gaming friend.
 

 
Eliminate Human Contact


 

 
Alone time is always optimal when getting involved with the latest release or a cherished classic by oneself. There is a time for sharing our passion with our family and loved ones, but during a focused gaming session is not one of them. The last thing I want to hear, in one simple word, is anything. I have a task at hand forthcoming and human interaction will distract me from my primary mission - mastering the awaiting challenge ahead.

At times this is a pothole that can not be easily avoided. Family and loved ones always take precedence, that is a given. But on the rare occasion when you have the crib to yourself, you must be prepared to act decisively. GAMING DEFCON 1 actions need to be immediately enacted. In other words, my cell phone ringer gets switched to 'Emergency' and 'I Won The Lotto' modes  - all others get the dreaded voicemail. Yes, I agree that this may be a little extreme. Tell me I am wrong that you aren't peeved to no end when your buddy calls to shoot the breeze when you are smack in the middle of a mob of henchman and fighting for your virtual life.
 


Don the Garb


 

 
Just like the virtual warrior I am about to become, armor selection is paramount. Comfort is obviously the key with old baggy clothing usually fitting the bill. For me, I prefer layering to a degree to give me some flexibility. My 4 Star Suit of choice is a pair of those cheap woven sleep pants from Target, wool socks, a Haines T-Shirt (have to love the no-tags) and my Mr. Rodgers sweater. Propping my baseball cap on the melon and I am ready to go.
 

 
Adjust Atmospheric Conditions


 

 
Proper alignment of your gaming cockpit is a must. Any serious gamer already has this already in place in their Room of Doom, but still this is something that can never be overlooked and should be addressed.

Seating is critical and I, like most, have my own special gaming chair – a high-back swivel desk chair with an accompanying plush ottoman to rest the dogs. It provides ease of movement along with the proper support for both my arms and neck (especially needed in those marathon sessions). Personally, I can not stand gaming while having my keister planted on a couch. I grant you that the sofa is perfectly suited for co-op play and catching the game on a Sunday afternoon, but not so much for extended game play. As for a loveseat, forget it. To this very day I truly have no idea what its function is. I have vowed never to own one.

No set up is complete without the proper gaming side table. This should be large enough to shoulder your rations and remote, but cheap so you don't have to worry about using a coaster for your beverage. No need to spend a million dollars on these either - you can snag one from Wal-Mart for $4. My lady friend rather hates them since the molded plastic table does not fit in at all with the rest of my decor. Hmmm.... perfectly coordinated furnishings or a functional piece of equipment? Sorry honey, you'll have to live with them.

Last thing to do is to set the lighting low, close all vertical blinds and get into cave-mode.
 

 
Assemble the Mascots


 

 
This is basically all about our support group that accompanies us on our gaming adventure. Most of us have one, whether it be a favorite lid for our dome or a funky pair of slippers. For me it is all about my 'gaming blankie'.

I have to admit that I was rather relieved at the reaction when I shared this personal fact about myself in a previous article. To much of my surprise, I found that most could relate, sometimes first hand, and shared some form of this 'mascot' tendency. One person had a sock puppet that always stuck by his side, for another it was a 60 ounce glass stein for his beverages. Whatever the case, they need to be ready and available to join your efforts.
 


Game On!!! (?)


 

 
A fistful of Slim Jims and a cool Gatorade sit next to me on my $4 table. My 'pleather' desk chair creaks a bit but welcomes back my ever-widening bum as I plop down into position. My freshly laundered 'gaming blankie' is draped loosely across my legs. Nothing left to do except to get it on!!

I press the center button on my Xbox 360 controller and eagerly await the system screen to begin my assault on the lands of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. Nothing. Hmmm.... I press it again, somehow expecting a different result. Still nothing.

If only I would have remembered to get batteries for my controller!!!
 


These are a few of my pecadilloes  - what are yours?
 




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Comments
 
Absolutely no Food or Drink in my gaming quaters. i've had one to many orange juices spilt on my NESes and controllers just get nasty. We eat before hand and wash our hands prior to gaming.

I have to disagree with you on the couch. Its prefect for those long RPG sessions. You can sprall out, blankie pulled up to your chin, and just sink into the game. So wonderful.

I usually let me loved ones know to answer the phone and take messages when Im planning a long session like that. Its pretty rare though.

I've never really thought about clothing. I'm usually pretty comfortably dressed when im at home so its almost a non issue.
 
Wow, that's crazy. I never really considered gaming sessions a ritualistic routine. For me it's always been a spontaneous whenever type thing with zero planning. When I'm in the mood to game, and I have a game in mind, I grab the game and system, hook it up, and away I go. I think it's cool that you have a routine though, I just never thought of it that way.

I agree with crabmaster on the food and clothing though. I am never hungry when I am playing games anyways; the great thing about getting immersed in a game for many hours, is it takes your mind off of the real world, yes even the need for food. It also lessens the one thing you can't ignore though: trips to the bathroom.

The gaming mascot is another really cool idea that never occurred to me. I should really find one....
 
I guess that I have a very precise system, also, but my game cave is usually set up and prepared without me really doing anything. Also, I second the negative opinion of the couch. It just doesn't have the proper support for hours of gaming. Also, it is hard to keep your game blankie from disarray when sprawled on a couch.

I do have to agree with Crabmaster on the clothing, though. It is very rare that I am not already comfortably dressed at home.
 
The only thing I'm really OCD about is the volume, its to got to be just right and I'm sometimes spend ages fiddling with it.  The only other I've got to sort out is my big comfy bean bag, which you have to batter the beans into just the right place.


 
I guess I've never really had a ritual when it comes to playing games. I guess you could call me a freelance gamer, of sorts. For instance, right now I have some Bold Party Mix Chex Mix, a couple of steak and jack cheese taquitos, and a Thunderhead IPA. There's also a paper towel to wipe my hand after every bite so I don't get my controller all gunked up Smiley

Oh, and for the record, I've never had a problem with couches when I play. They are versatile - You can lay, sit, or a combination of the two (my favorite) - and there's usually a coffee table near by to prop up my feet.
 
I sit in a computer chair usually, I also wear slippers when I game Smiley
 
I don't really have any rituals, I play when I get a chance to, I don't want to waste time getting things perfect. The only ritual I usually do is get a drink and close the black-out curtains.
As for seating, I game exclusively on a loveseat, in fact, it's the only place to sit in my game room. I find it's perfect, I can lay or sit when I'm gaming and someone else can sit when the need arises. Plus the extra side makes a good place to put stuff, it's kind of like an attached side table for me most of the time. Plus when I'm on my laptop, I can use the other cushion as a place to put my mouse. Incidentally, the right cushion on my couch is like new while the other is smashed down, it's not even comfortable anymore. I really need a new couch, but they're so expensive and it's hard finding a comfortable one that's the right size.


Also, if you save those old Gatorade bottles, you don't have to leave the room to take a leak.
 
Great comments all - I guess I truly do need to get my OCD under control  Wink

Good thought on the Gatorade bottle - definitely fits in with Howard Hughes type tendencies  Smiley
 
I might not be as OCD as you but you forgot one crucial, paramount thing.
Darkness!

whenever I start a session especially if they game is immersive, thefirst thing I do is shut all the blinds so I'm in the dark.

For seating it depends. On Pc I have my PC chair so that's that. consoles I just lay on my convertible couch with the precious blanky on me.

I always and almost only just drink Pepsi for gaming session since mostly I don't eat refined food.
Food tends to be cookies (finger, digestive..) Twix or saucisson and chips.
Saucisson is a type of cured sausage in France that I had a hell of a time finding in the US but I finally did and it's called Crespone Salame.
Of course several paper towels are required.

Phone I tend to leave on but it has to be near me because getting off the couch is a pain. I don't have a home phone so no problems there and I can screen the cell.

voila
 
I kinda also forgot to mention that I have to drink Diet Pepsi when I game
 
He's not a sock puppet, he's a stuffed animal, and I almost had to fight my last ex-gf from taking him.....lol
Great article as always, I especially love how this and the one about a month ago have given everyone the chance to see everyone elses gaming "mindset".

My gaming rituals can be divided 4 ways, 360-other systems-serious-quickplay
since the 360's in the living room im always on the front couch (mostly racing games) or on the floor with my bean bag.
With the other stuff im in my room on the bed, computer chair or the bean bag. I used to have this velvet blowup camping sofa that was the best game chair ever! For quick games it just happens, but when its time for a real good session the lights are off, the surround sound is on and tuned for the the specific game and a glass of Dr. Pepper or Iced Tea is close by.

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