The idea was – I thought – pretty good. Put the XBox and PS2 up here next to the computers and I could game here, take short breaks to put some SSX or Forza action in. But in practice this does not work because this is not the room to play games. I work here.
Years ago I would sit on the floor with beer and cigs to play games. I sat on the floor because (1) I couldn’t fall off it and (2) given how the room was arranged it was the most comfortable. So when I quit the drink and fags I couldn’t play games. The associations were very strong (still are). But moving to this house, getting a different TV and getting something else to sit on (It’s like a big L-shaped beanbag) meant I started again. But that is downstairs. And down there I am limited by noise from the family – I like the game to be the main noisy not girly chat about Dancing on Ice or whatever is on. So, move games up here, play more.
But I work here. Okay so one monitor has iTunes or the news streaming but otherwise they both display the information I want – though I’d like a monitor just for Twittervision and one for Monitorr/Tweetdeck. I could do 4 monitors, easy :). I cannot concentrate on SSX combos and speed runs if I’m seeing things pop up in a feed I need to check. Or a help ticket. Or anything else work related. Or news even. This is the work room, it wins. Except for films. I like peace and quiet to watch films and that isn’t about to happen downstairs. I also find it speeds the time along to have a truly fantastic film on in the background, one that I know. Examples would be Independence Day, MIB, Armageddon, Layer Cake, The Departed, Lord of War, Crash, True Romance. I can work and watch and listen. Other films that needs more watching – Days of Glory or new films (new being ones I have just bought not new as in new) – I will work to get to the point where I allow myself to watch the film on one monitor while keeping a vague eye on work. One measure I have for the greatness of a film is ‘Does it make me switch the other monitor off’. American History X did. capote did. elephant did.
So I can work, work and watch a film and watch a film. But I can’t play games. Which is a bummer because I spend most of my time here. So many games, so little time. And yet work extends everywhere. I work downstairs and in bed with no problems. Must be concentration. Work can be done in tiny bursts of concentration whereas a game can absorb you – and if you don’t have the freedom to be pulled in you can’t play. (I ordered a Ultimate Megadrive Collection to play on the PS3. It’s partly for J because she liked one called Flicky and she thinks she can still use a joypad for left/right but also for one called Shining in the Darkness. I bought that before a late shift years ago. When I got back from that late shift I started playing and did not realise the time until 5am. Trying to get back out from some caves when your hit points are just above zero is tense stuff).
So, gaming and work do not mix. Oh well, I tried.
As luck would have it, I moved the Wii into my office yesterday evening. I don’t plan on playing it during the week but I hope I might get a chance at the weekend when Adam takes his midday nap in the living room.
The TV is in that room so it’s obviously out of bounds, and late at night Adam’s bedroom is next to my office so late night gaming is out too (too tired by that time anyway).
So, fingers crossed, I might get a chance to play Resident Evil 4 again. Bought it last weekend and played for half an hour and scared the shit out of me already. “Why did I buy this game? I don’t even like horror movies!” Oh dear.