Video game tester career

Whats Your Story twaitsfan

While you all wait patiently for me to finish Mean Streets (at least thats what I keep telling myself), Ive got a little line-up of Whats Your Story submissions. The first cab off the rank is twaitsfan. He may not have made his voice heard in the comments on the blog at this point, but his emails to me have shown a strong passion for and knowledge of the adventure genre.

My home country is… USA

My age is… 35

The first adventure game I played was… Police Quest

My favourite adventure game is… Tough one... My original favorite was Police Quest 2, but these days Id probably have to say The Longest Journey


When I’m not playing games I like to… Write (amateur novelist), Read, Philosophize, Drink good beer

I like my games in (a box, digital format)… In a box!  With a big, thick manual.  I miss manuals...

The thing I miss about old games is… Manuals!  But also, the focus on gameplay.  Many modern games are more like modern action movies.  The plot, consistency & characters (gameplay) dont matter as much as the action and effects.  I cant get invested in things like that.  I need a believable, consistent world (even if its in 8 bit) with characters that I care about.


The best thing about modern games is… Lack of load times (I remember playing Codename:Iceman on my 8088 and having to switch disks three times to walk into another room), production values, cinematography, controls, achievements, atmosphere (when done right)

The one TV show I never miss is… Not many these days. With an hour commute, 2 year old daughter and 2 month old son, my games take up my free time instead of TV.  Though when I watch on demand/hulu, I(ve) watch(ed):  Community, Parks and Rec, Lost (oh you evil betrayer!), Firefly...


If I could see any band live it would be… Ive seen most of the ones Ive wanted to see, but Dire Straits escaped me being slightly before my time

My favourite movie is… Youre not going to ask this are you?  Hmm.  Star Wars probably, but I really loved The Prestige.


One interesting thing about me is… I just finished my first novel, Dardenfall.  Its part Game of Thrones, part Ursula Le Guin, part Bernard Cornwell.  Or at least I would like to think so!