Earlier this week I wrote about how I felt like I was on the outside when it came to Destiny. A lot of my friends were playing the game and, when they weren’t playing the game, they were talking about the game. I felt like my 12-year-old self again, listening to people at school on a Monday talk about Saturday’s party to which I wasn’t invited.
My invitation finally came, though, because now I am ready to forge my own destiny.
My friend, Jon, who was a guest on The Christian Nerd Podcast, bought me Destiny for my birthday. He is one of those friends who is always playing or talking about the game and I think he wanted me to join in on the fun.
Honestly, I’m a little scared to step into that world. Last week Ron wrote about his obsession with Destiny and how the game contributed to him becoming a worse person. I’m already not that great of a person; I’m definitely hoping to trend up instead of further down.
At the time of writing this post, I’ve only played Destiny for about two hours. That was enough time to complete the first two missions and get absolutely destroyed in an online match. I had three times as many deaths as I did kills. I know that the game gets better the longer it’s played, but that makes me wonder how much I really want to play.
My life is about to get a little crazy with leaving my job, starting a new job and moving in with my in-laws. On top of all of that, I’m leaving my job so that I can pursue different opportunities to write and speak. I don’t want to take energy away from pursuing those opportunities because I’m going on daily raids and trying to get my character to level 40.
I think that’s one of the problems with being a nerd. A nerd is simply someone who obsesses over a specific nerdclination. Obsessing over Star Wars doesn’t really take too much time on a daily basis; it’s not like Empire Strikes Back is going to be any different today than it was the last time I watched it.
Games like Destiny, though, always offer something new and different about which to obsess. Some of my friends have multiple characters that are all maxed out, yet they still play every day. That sounds fun and I really do want to participate, but I have to figure out how to participate without getting too obsessed.
Honestly if I wasn’t married and trying to do something entirely new with my life, I probably wouldn’t care. When I was single I often stayed up until 2:00 in the morning playing video games. At this point, though, I’ve grown up and can’t obsess as much about video games as I did before.
I’m OK with that, because I know my destiny lies outside of Destiny. But it is my birthday weekend, so hopefully that means I can get my character up to level 40.
How has getting older changed your relationship with your favorite nerdclinations?
“it’s not like Empire Strikes Back is going to be any different today than it was the last time I watched it” — Well, that’s a safe assumption now that George Lucas is out of the picture, I guess…!
I have been intrigued by DESTINY – the ads make it look like really epic space opera – but not enough to make the time to try playing it. I’m still getting too frustrated by Disney Infinity 3.0 (the Star Wars release), so I’m probably not ready for big boy games!
Happy Birthday, again, and blessings be yours ahead! Make sure you keep us posted on any new writing you’re doing. I really admire your writing and would love to read more of it!
Thanks, Mike! I’ve still only played Destiny for two hours. I feel like I’m a bad nerd, or at least a nerd with too many other responsibilities.
Hi Scott,
New reader here 🙂
I, too feel the same about being a bad nerd. I haven’t enjoyed many fps’ since maybe perfect dark (even enjoy is a strong word… Perhaps endured?) with the exception of Destiny as of late. I also felt the need to jump on the bandwagon, but mostly because my hubby had already purchased it, and I was mesmerised by the smooth rendering and flashy graphics. Cool looking characters also added to the allure. To this day I have not accumulated many hours myself either, but enjoy watching my hubby or others on twitch. (Which I highly recommend if u are unsure of also jumping on a bandwagon for a game!)
Being part-owner of a small business gives me little time throughout the week and Saturdays to endulge my gaming geek, so I have to be choosy. I imagine a person in your position might be also. Ultimately, I would love to head a Christian youth group using nerdiness as a tool to draw in people with an inclination to nerd out together, talk and play! Keep doing what you’re doing! Thanks for helping me feel like i’m the only one out there!!
Correction:
Like I’m **not** the only one out there!
You’re welcome! And thanks so much for checking out The Christian Nerd. If you enjoy listening to podcasts, you can also check out our show.
I’m actually leaving my job as a youth pastor to pursue some other opportunities with speaking and writing. I’m hoping that maybe having a more regular job will leave me more time to play video games. I’ve had Destiny for a week and have only played it for two hours.