First slide
You never forget your first time. Yes, all kinds of weird meanings can be pulled from this statement, but its one that rings true in virtually every aspect of our lives. Particularly in gaming, a hobby rife with so many unique experiences and opportunities that it offers all number of standout firsts." Remember when you first discovered your lifelong love of Final Fantasy? The first time you realized your most anticipated game was terrible? The first time your console died?
Your first console
Finally, after months of incessantly nagging your parents or reminding everyone of your upcoming birthday, you had a first console to call your own. No longer did you have to stand idly by while Nintendo vs. Sega debates raged during recess, jealous of the kids who staunchly defended both Sonic and Mario in front of your awkwardly uninitiated self.
Your first love affair
Your first love affair began casually, at the introduction of a friend or a random encounter from a gift card and a used game sale. You played the game, initially admiring it for its beauty and later becoming completely enamored with it and its finer details. Everything about it spoke to you; the story, the gameplay, the visualsyou simply couldnt get enough of it.
Your first convention
Booking hotels and flights were hard on the wallet, but all financial loss was mitigated by the sheer excitement you felt toward attending your first convention. Finally, youd be surrounded by people who loved video games as much as you did and spend the entire day absorbed into the hobby you all shared.
Your first disappointment
Youd been anticipating this game for months, watching every trailer and reading every preview you could find about it up until release day. When that hallowed day finally came, you purchased your copy and took it home, tossing the box to the side and gingerly placing the disc in your console. It started up, warmly greeting you with its menu screen and dulcet music. You started a new game and began to play.
Your first multiplayer game
Something changed the first time you played Mario Kart against your friends. The second Lakitu waved the checkered flag, only one thought entered your mind: you had to win. There was no other option. You simply could not allow yourself to be defeated by anyone else. Your pulse pounded, eyes gained laser focus, and you handled the controls with a precision that had never before manifested itself during your single-player runs.
Your first rage quit
You had spent hours upon hours honing your skill, leveling up your character, and gaining the finger dexterity of a concert pianist all for this particular level. People had warned you before of its difficulty, but you knew you could do this. You tried once, and quickly failed. Tried again, and made it a bit further before falling into a spike pit. Tried a third time, and just before bringing your sword down for a fatal blow, bid your head farewell as it was claimed by a rogue fireball.
Your first console purchase
Countless hours of bagging groceries or clearing dirty plates off of restaurant tables finally paid off when you had enough money to buy the shiniest new black box on the market. Marching down to the store, you all but threw your hard-earned money at the cashier, cradling your console on the drive home and clearing a space for it in your room.
Your first console death
You had only just turned on your Xbox 360 when it happened: like a tiny eye of Sauron glaring at you from across the room, a red ring emerged around the power button. Your heart had jumped into your throat at that moment, the world briefly caving in as you debated your next step. Customer support was contacted, your precious console was boxed up and shipped off to the care of engineers somewhere who promised to fix it, and you spent your newfound free time in the interim debating whether or not to watch crappy reality shows, pull out older consoles, or even read a book.
