Unmuted #007 - George Interview

Hey everyone, welcome back to another edition of Unmuted! This time, I’m excited to interview George, a subscriber and supporter from Romania. Even though we come from very different places, Brazil and Romania, it turns out our gaming experiences have a lot in common.

Back in the ’90s, pirated games were often the only way for people in Brazil to access video games, and it seems Romania faced a similar situation. I really enjoyed reading George’s responses because many of his stories resonated with my own experiences.

I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Tell me a bit about yourself (you can share as little or as much as you want here, like your name, where you’re from, your age and what do you work with).

Hi! My name is George, 32 years old, I’m originally from Romania but currently living in The Netherlands. I have a master’s in Human-Computer Interaction and I’m currently working as a UX Designer. Before that I studied Computer Science and worked as a Software Developer.

I was always drawn towards design and research, so that’s where the career change came from. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and move to a different country to try and pursue a career as a UX Designer. It was the most difficult, but also the best decision I ever made, as that’s how I met my amazing wife and how I got a job I actually enjoy. This experience allowed me grow more than I could have ever imagined.

What got you into gaming in the first place? Do you have any memories of the first time you played a game?

In Romania piracy was very common when I was a kid. We didn’t have much money, so we used to share pirated CDs or DVDs between us at school. I know it’s not very ethical, but man, that feeling when you get a new game from a friend, you go home and you install it on your PC, it felt magical. And slowly, but surely, games became a bigger and bigger part of my life.

The first clear memory I have of me playing a video game is of the first Halo game. I remember I played it pirated first, and I was so in awe of this game that I bought the physical game from a friend. I love this game so much, I finished it at least 10 times. I used to play it over and over again, and I wouldn’t get bored or tired of it. When Halo 2 and Halo 3 came around, I begged my parents to get me an Xbox and an Xbox 360 respectively. It’s the main reason I was an Xbox fanboy, and it still makes me sad to see how much Microsoft has fallen behind when it comes to the games industry.

I still have the case and disc for the original Halo from 2001, and everytime I look at it, it fills me with joy and nostalgia.

You’ve lived in both Romania and the Netherlands - have you noticed differences in gaming culture between these countries? How has this international perspective shaped your gaming experiences?

The first thing that comes to mind is the mentality towards buying and owning games (or software for that matter). Romania seems a bit stuck with this mentality against spending money on software, and I see that in myself too. I still scoff at paying 5 euros for an app, but then I go and spend 6 or 7 euros on a coffee without thinking twice. Pretty dumb mentality if you think about it.

Ever since moving to The Netherlands I started being more liberal with spending money on video games. Piracy is not that big here, and it’s technically illegal, so my mentality adjusted towards “if this game looks good, just buy it, you’ll get 20-30 hours of entertainment”.

Also another interesting thing, in Romania, Nintendo was never a big thing when I was growing up, so up to this day I’ve never owned Nintendo hardware. The first time I played Mario Kart was right after I moved here. Almost everyone I talked to that plays video games had played Mario Kart or owned some Nintendo hardware at some point in their lives. I found that pretty interesting.

Can you describe your gaming setup? What equipment or accessories do you use, and how do they enhance your gaming experience? What platforms do you play?

Right now I own a PS5, Steam Deck and a PC with a dual monitor setup, and your usual peripherals (mouse, keyboard, headphones and speakers). My PC is starting to show it’s age with a GTX 1080 and Ryzen 5 1600, but it’s still chugging along great considering my graphics card is 5 generations old at this point. Nowadays I mostly play on my PS5 at home and my Steam Deck when I’m on the go.

The Steam Deck has been my best purchase in a while, it has allowed me play indie games easily when travelling, games that I don’t think I’d ever play on my PC or PS5.

You praised the Steam Deck for opening up indie games you wouldn’t have played otherwise. Could you share an example or two of such indie games and what made the Steam Deck the ideal platform for you to experience them?

Oooh, good question.

The first two games that come to mind are: Cult of the Lamb and Dave the Diver. Relaxing games with just the right amount of challenge for a handheld device. Also perfect games to play while travelling, as they’re the type of games that are very easy to pause and then just continue where you left off without being confused or overwhelmed. You don’t need to get to a checkpoint or anything like that.

If you haven’t tried them yet, definitely recommend them, especially on a handheld.

What are some of your all-time favorite games and/or genres, and why do they stand out to you?

I think I could write 2 or 3 pages just for this question alone, but I’ll keep it short by focusing on two parts of my life: my childhood and my adulthood.

From my childhood, without a doubt Halo and Counter-Strike 1.6. As I mentioned previously, Halo was just mind blowing for me. Everything about that game was perfect for little Georgie, and I’m so happy I got to experience it. And Counter-Strike 1.6 allowed me to learn everything there is to learn about multiplayer gaming, and I got to meet some great people through the game. These two games defined my childhood.

As for my adulthood, there are three games that I can confidently say are my favourite: Death Stranding, Alan Wake 2 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. I would say that the common denominator between these games is that they are games for adults made by adults. They have amazing stories, great game design and, probably most importantly, passionate people behind them. A passionate game director with a clear direction and vision can be the difference between good games and genre-defining or generational games. And, for me, these three games are some of the best games ever made.

Given your formative experiences with Counter-Strike 1.6 and making friends there, what specifically about modern multiplayer games makes them less appealing to you now compared to single-player experiences? Is it the time commitment, the social dynamics, or something else?

I would say it’s a combination of time commitment and me not being as outgoing as I used to be when I was younger. I don’t have time to play as many multiplayer games as I used to, and therefore it’s more difficult to invest time into making connections online. Also, for some reason, the older I got the more introverted I became, which I’m perfectly fine with. But that also makes it more difficult to approach strangers, especially online.

But that’s ok, I met plenty of great people through CS 1.6 and Rainbow Six Siege, and now my focus is more and more on single-player games. But who knows, maybe in the future my preference will switch back to multiplayer games.

If you could erase one game from your memory to experience it fresh again, which one would it be?

Such a difficult question, but I would have to say Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Some recency bias can be at play here, as I just finished the game a few weeks ago, but I enjoyed every single moment with that game. The potion brewing, the smithing, the exploration, the story, the gameplay, everything worked so well together that I was never bored or frustrated while playing it. Every time I booted the game it was so easy to get immersed into the game. It is an absolute masterpiece and a piece of art.

How do you balance gaming with other aspects of your life, like work, family, or other hobbies?

It’s definitely more difficult in adulthood, but I think the secret is to make gaming a part of your routine or life. Don’t think of it as a side-activity next to your other hobbies, make it one of your primary hobbies. If you want to spend a weekend inside to play that game you’ve been wanting to play for a few months, just do it. It’s your free time, spend it exactly how you want to and don’t feel guilty about it.

Do you have a “comfort game” that you always go back to?

I used to have plenty of comfort games in my childhood, but now I tend to focus on playing a game from start to finish, and then moving on to the next one. My free time is more limited, so I want to spend it experiencing as many different game as I can.

Can you share a memorable gaming moment or achievement that you’re particularly proud of?

Almost 2 years ago I lost my job, which sucked, and in between applying for new jobs I would play video games. And that’s when I picked up Death Stranding as I thought to myself “this is a long game, I have the time to play it now, so let’s see what it’s all about”. All I could think about while playing is “this is one of the most unique games I’ve ever played, this is art”. I was so in awe of everything this game had to offer, it was like a piece of art that hit the right spot at the right time. I was absolutely mesmerized by it, and it made that period in my life a bit easier to navigate. That’s why Death Stranding will always have a special place in my heart.

What do you enjoy most about gaming? Is it the story, the competition, the social aspect, or something else?

Lately, the story and the novelty of the game mechanics. Game design has become so standardized and iterative these days, that it’s difficult to find something to truly make me go “that is so cool, I’ve never seen that before”. A good story can hook me, and if the game is designed in a novel way with all the mechanics working together instead of separately, I’m in! I truly dislike game mechanics done just for the purpose of padding time, or just because somebody said “I think this would be cool” without thinking how it ties into the whole narrative and gameplay loop.

How do you think gaming has changed or influenced you as a person?

When I was a teenager I was always trying to fit in in different groups, each of them with various priorities and personalities, but gaming was the one constant in my life. Even though I was ashamed to admit that I played video games when I was in high school (because of these different groups I was trying to fit in), I would still play them, but I wouldn’t talk about it that much. The more I grew up, the more comfortable I felt with the fact that I love video games, and if somebody else would look down on me because of it, screw ‘em.

And guess what? Those friend groups have disappeared and video games are still a part of my life. So don’t be afraid to love what you love and just be yourself, it’s so much better, trust me :).

Do you have any gaming rituals or habits that you follow before or during a gaming session?

Not really, I just have to make sure that all the chores and tasks for the day are done, and I also want to have already eaten and showered. Otherwise it’s very difficult for me to relax and enjoy my gaming session. This could also have to do my recent ADHD diagnosis that I got last week, which explains SO MUCH haha.

How do you choose which games to play next? Do you have a specific genre or criteria you look for?

Reviews and word-of-mouth mostly. As I find out about a new game that sounds interesting, I add to a list of games I want to play, and when I want to start a new game I go through the list and see what I’m feeling at the moment. But if a new game just released with stellar reviews (like KCD2) and it sounds like a game right up my alley, it moves to the top of the list.

And on rare occasions I plan for the release of a new game to make sure I have an extra day off next to the weekend. One of these occasions is coming up soon with Death Stranding 2. I’m so excited I feel like a kid waiting for the release of Halo 3.

Do you prefer single-player or multiplayer games, and why?

Single-player lately. I just like to get all cozy on the couch, boot up my PS5 and get into a gaming session I can quit at any time. Nothing beats doing brewing potions for 30 mins in KCD2 with a cup of tea next to you.

What role does nostalgia play in your gaming preferences? Are there any older games you still love to revisit?

I personally do not like playing older games. Game design has evolved so much that most old games will feel so outdated and difficult to play, and it will just ruin my memory of them. It feels like going back to a CRT TV after experiencing an OLED. Yes, it’s nostalgic, but it kind of sucks when you compare the image quality.

If you could preserve one game for future generations to understand gaming culture, which would you choose and why?

Counter-Strike 1.6. It revolutionized competitive shooters, and I think everyone should see where it all started.

Are there any upcoming games or releases that you’re particularly excited about?

Death Stranding 2. I haven’t been this excited for a game since Halo 3. My four-day weekend is planned, my chores will be done the day before, and my snacks will be ready!

Have you ever made real-life friendships or connections through gaming?

Yes I have, through Counter-Strike 1.6. I made a really close friend, but then life took us in different directions and we lost contact. But that’s ok, it was a period in our lives that we enjoyed, and then we just moved on.

Do you think gaming will look completely different in 10 years? How so?

Unfortunately, no. Gaming has become so profit oriented, that it’s difficult to see it be any different. I expect the same standardized single-player games with recycled game design to keep releasing every year. I expect multiplayer games filled to the brim with microtransactions to still make hundreds of millions.

BUT, at the same time, I also expect that there will still be a Hideo Kojima, a Sam Lake, a Daniel Vavra, a Ken Levine (this made me realize I did not once mention Bioshock or Prey in everything I’ve said above, damn). I expect there will still be great minds like these with a true love for the artform of video games. And I expect that we will still get innovative masterpieces in-between your usual 7/10 video games.

And these great minds keep me excited for the future.

A big thanks to George for sharing her gaming story. It’s pretty cool to see how similar our experiences are, even though we’re from opposite sides of the world. Hope you guys enjoyed it!

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