What video games mean to me after 19 years of playing

Video games are more than just a hobby. They have shaped my identity and future goals.

Video games are a bridge to me.

Not just a bridge between reality and a world beyond ours, but a bridge to others and myself within.

After 19 years, video games continue to be an outlet of relief and enjoyment for me. It is the place I can shine as a gamer and as somebody who truly knows themself.

As I write this now, I am writing it from the perspective of my younger self. He is still within me, and much of my daily efforts are derived from him and his love for video games.

If he could see me now, he would be proud of himself that I am pursuing a future in the world of gaming.

Growing up, I struggled to feel included in elementary school because I would get bullied for my appearance and would generally not get along with many people. During that time, video games helped me feel recognized.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (1998) on the original PlayStation, developed by Capcom, was that first recognition. I saw a new world unfold as the opening credits played thundering music and presented an exciting roster of characters.

This immersion felt most impactful after witnessing and playing as Spider-Man, who is my favorite superhero, in Marvel vs. Capcom. Video games are the only medium you can become the “impossible,” such as a spectacular superhero fighting a martial artist.

My bridge between video games became more of a friendship as time went on. When I would feel emotional, video games were there to help lighten my day.

I am not saying I am dependent on video games or they are more of an escape for me. Rather, they felt like another home where I get to be myself and live out my passion.

That passion also helped strengthen the relationships I have with my family. I grew up in a traditional Mexican immigrant household with immigrant parents, five siblings, my brother-in-law, later a nephew, and then a few nieces. It was a packed home.

My older brothers introduced me to video games at an early age, and that quickly became the connection we could relate with despite our age gap. In a way, it is all thanks to them that I am a video game journalist today.

Video games, like Purble Place (2007), developed by Oberon Media, or playing over the same pink Nintendo DS, made the relationship between my sisters that much stronger.

My nephew is six years younger than me, so I see him more as a brother. We grew up bonding over video games together, being excited for upcoming games like Batman: Arkham Knight (2015), developed by Rocksteady Studios, or Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018), developed by Insomniac Games.

Both my family and I can vividly remember these moments, and they will be remembered as peak examples of our relationship. My family definitely sees me as the video game obsessor in the family, but, honestly, I am happy to carry that title.

Today, it is hard to dedicate much time to video games, but when I get around to finally playing them, I become all jittery with excitement. I imagine it looks cringe from a third-person perspective, but that is okay; it is just me in my moment.

I give thanks to the talented creators at Capcom for making me feel recognized. Other honorable developers and video games that have done the same are Shaba Games and Treyarch, makers of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (2008); Bungie, developers of Halo Reach (2010); and Epic Games, who made Gears of War 3 (2011).

I will continue to reflect on these memories because they are what fuel me with passion and motivation toward my goals in the video game industry.

My hope as a journalist is to be a bridge for those feeling unrecognized in the world of gaming, just as gaming once did for me.

If you are interested in learning more about what video games mean to me, please watch my supplementary video on my YouTube channel.