I've been playing video games since I was about 5 or 6 on my Leapster 2, but it wasn't until I got my DSi that I became infatuated with video games. Since then, I've played more games that I can count on consoles from multiple generations and on PC. The first game I remember really getting into was Mario Kart for the Nintendo DSi. I was infatuated by the original art style, the smooth controls, and the fun music. So much so, that I would spend hours just repeating the same races over and over again.
Another reason I really got into video games was that it served as a social outlet. I've always been semi-introverted and it was hard for me to get myself out there. But when I started playing online games with my friends from school, it became an amazing way to meet new people and future friends who I otherwise wouldn't have. From meeting my first online friends in Halo to the countless hours I spent just talking with my friends in Destiny (ironically both Bungie games). Even now I'm still really good friends with people who I met through video games.
Even now I still spend a lot of my free time getting invested in games and am always keeping myself up to date on new games and industry updates. But I don't just play games for fun, I also play them to learn about their design. I love learning about game design and finding out exactly why I like certain games so in the future I can apply the things I've learned. I especially love finding unique ways of telling a story which can only be done in games. My love for games has now inspired me into my current career path as I want to be able to give people the same fantastical experiences I had as a kid.
