New York Times: Way Beyond Pong
The New York times has a wonderful article about a Marine veteran, coming home from Iraq. His story of gaming before and after his time in Iraq. If you have the time to read it check it out. If you don’t make some time sometime and read it.
I have had many hobbies throughout my life. Many have come and gone, but one has persisted before, during, and after my experience in the Marine Corps: gaming. In addition to being an engineer, new homeowner, and seasoned curmudgeon, I also moonlight as a gamer.
I started gaming almost as soon as I could hold a controller. My father purchased an Atari 2600 in 1981, the year I was born. Video games were a real novelty then and he enjoyed playing Pong and Football on the system. When I was old enough to understand the concept of the game and capable of using a joystick, I began playing Pong with him. In the years that followed I developed an affection for several games, most notably Pac-Man and what would become my favorite Atari 2600 game: Donkey Kong.