Editor's note: We each have our own preparations for playing video games, and Toby is interested to know exactly how you ready yourself whenever you've got the itch. But I'd like to know which one of you has the most elaborate ritual. Well? -Rob
I always wonder how other people play video games. Where do they plop down? Do they eat or drink? How do they sit when playing Call of Duty online?
I have my own little process down pat, which includes several variations depending on the time of day or what game I'm playing.
I never planned out my gaming procedure — it just happened, and it has changed over the years. For example, I don't sit on a bean-bag chair staring at a 19-inch-CRT screen in my parents' house anymore. But one thing has stayed the same — comfort.
These days I can be found on my couch with feet up, controller in hand, and — depending on the time of day — drink (Jim Beam and ginger ale with a hint of lime) to my right. My game sessions last anywhere from 20 minutes to three or four hours. I usually don't play longer than that.
During the week, I play after I put my daughter to sleep at 8 p.m. My wife watches her shows upstairs in our room, and I usually hang downstairs on the PlayStation 3. I like to play until about 10 p.m. so that I still have some time with the wife.
I try to only play one game at a time. I put all of my focus into it and get as much out of it as I can. I always play the single-player element first and then jump into multiplayer.
Because so many great titles have already released this year, I've experienced difficulty sticking with a single game. Fortunately, my choices were all pretty short — Bioshock 2, Heavy Rain, and Bad Company 2 only lasted a week each. I know that will change when I finally get my hands on Final Fantasy 13.
That leads me to another point: I have learned to love long role-playing games. It started with Fallout 3; then I discovered Dragon Age. Now, I hope that FF13 gives me an epic enough story to last a month or more.
So, what about you? How do you game?