Shane Feltman

Playing video games made-up a large part of my childhood. Every night I spent negotiating with my mom to secure just one more precious hour on the Xbox. While I was playing, I found more than just a hobby – I found a place where I made lifetime friends, and countless memories became part of my growing up. All the times my friends and I played games became an important part of my formative years, shaping the story of my childhood.

I never cared what game my friends decided to play; what I cherished most was time spent building connections. However, my mom had a different perspective. She was very against my gaming habits and told me when I was young that I was “rotting” my brain. Despite what she told me, I believed that as long as I was having fun, the time was well spent.

Another thing I loved about playing video games was that it allowed all of the friends I played with to stay in touch. When a large group of people hang out, someone will always be going through something, but because it was online we never had much trouble with still “hanging out” even if it was just online. Even today I still play video games from time to time, and the bond with those childhood friends remains stronger than ever, showing the connection maintained over the years.

The more I have recently started to write, the more I have begun to realize the similarities between playing video games and writing. Both demand critical thinking - in video games, players analyze situations and make decisions, much like the cognitive processes involved in crafting an essay. Additionally, both pursuits require a substantial dose of creativity. In video games, game developers and players alike contribute to the creative aspects, shaping design and storytelling. Similarly, in writing essays, creativity emerges through constructing compelling narratives, forming unique perspectives, and engagingly presenting information.

When I think back to my childhood spent negotiating Xbox time with my mom, I appreciate the critical thinking and creativity that goes beyond just playing games and will remember to cherish the moments of laughter and memories made.