A (half) life in games

Video games have come a long way in the past 30 years, becoming one of the world’s dominant entertainment industries and a staple of everyday life for many.

Tell someone you work in the industry though and there is still a good chance you will be rewarded with a glassy stare and a crumpled brow as they try not to picture you wearing a plumber’s outfit for a living.

In the same way, when the esports hype train first left the station several years ago, many stooped to (mis)appropriating traditional sports buzzwords to sell the dream to outsiders looking in.

Yet today gaming culture is pop culture and the borders between media archtypes have continued to blur as gaming has entered public consciousness and brought its own unique culture with it.

Within that culture Japan is considered by many to be the birthplace of modern gaming and is home to a rich and unique video game culture.

It is also where I have spent the last 10+ years working in games.