Back when I was a lad, I was fully engrossed with the game Donkey Kong Country. The game, a collective purchase between my brother and I, was a joy to play. We were transported to exciting new worlds: jungles, mine shafts, temples, coral reefs, factories. There were a slew of colorful characters (Cranky amongst my favorites), intriguing choices for helpful animals you could ride on (come on, how cool was Enguarde?), silly illiterative names for the stages (damn you, Forest Frenzy!), and all was done with a spirit of whimsy and superb graphics for the time of the game's release. I even would read and re-read the Instructional Booklet that came with the game just to further immerse myself in the experience.
Of course, dedication to a game can have its drawbacks, especially when you are close to the end of it and desperately want to see it to its conclusion. Around the time I had gotten to King K. Rool, I was dealing with the flu and had been out a few days from school consequently. When I actually reached that reptilian menace, though, I was pretty much recovered and only had slight lingering symptoms to contend with. In truth, I really could've gone to school, but I convinced my mom to let me stay home and rest. However, when she saw me up and energetic playing the game and watching a behind-the-scenes video made by Rare about the production of the game, she quickly realized I was not as bad off as I had made it seem. No wonder years later I was forbidden to go to Senior Cut Day. Years later, Mom had exacted her revenge.
Depending on your age and circumstances, you might still have someone call out for you that you are sick, or you may have to use one of your sick days, or you might just be in college and decide to skip class. However you slice it, I'm guessing I am I not the only one who has lied to their school or employer in order to make progress in a title of their choosing or spend a little extra time with their guild. While I don't officially endorse such dishonesty, I'm also of the mindset that sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Have you ever played hooky to play video games?
Comments (1)
Well... I've called in sick to not go to work, and then play videogames because I didn't have anything to do. Don't know if that counts though.
:D