Reflecting on my years immersed in PC gaming, I find them marked by a series of moments that evoke a sense of nostalgia, moments that truly resonate with the phrase you had to be there. These experiences, whether triumphant or cringe-worthy, contribute to the rich tapestry of what makes a game a classic. One such memory takes me back to my early days in Rust, where I, in my innocent naivety, stumbled into open structures only to fall prey to cleverly disguised trap bases. After several unfortunate deaths, I learned that there exists a strategic layer to the game, one that involves constructing fully-furnished fake shelters designed to lure and eliminate unsuspecting rivals. The outcomes varied; some players would escape, detonating explosives in their wake, while others simply left me to my fate. In any case, my curiosity often led me into trouble, and I paid the price for it.
One cannot overlook the infamous “door stuck” video, a humorous yet telling example of the social dynamics at play in competitive gaming. While I may not engage in solo queues as often, I remain acutely aware that the internet’s antisocial behavior persists. The line between playful pranking and genuine malice can be thin, and for those on the receiving end of griefing, the humor often lies in the persistence and pettiness of the perpetrator. The Team Fortress 2 wiki even dedicates a page to defining griefing, and the documented techniques are as entertaining as they are enlightening. Here are a few notable examples:
- Intentionally pushing teammates off ledges to eliminate them or waste their time.
- Displacing teammates from a Teleporter to make way for oneself, particularly if one occupies a less critical class.
- Obstructing a Sniper’s view by standing in front of them or using visual effects to obscure their line of sight.
- Unprovoked attacks on teammates, especially with humorous weapons like the Frying Pan.
- Following a teammate around for no apparent reason.
- Impersonating a server administrator.
- Initiating pointless votes.
- Continuously passing the intelligence among teammates, causing excessive spam in the kill feed.
Spent three hours troubleshooting
Ted Litchfield, Associate Editor: When faced with issues regarding a new desktop build, the search for solutions can be both enlightening and frustrating. A typical Google search might yield results as bizarre as “You can actually eat a daddy longlegs every now and then and not run into any health complications.” After scrolling past irrelevant links, one might stumble upon a Windows help forum from 2019, where the most helpful advice is often a simple, “Have you considered turning your computer off and on again?”
Reseat graphics card. Remove RAM sticks and put them back in one by one. Unplug your hard drive.
As the troubleshooting journey continues, one might turn to Reddit, only to find a post from 2017 describing the exact issue, albeit with a mix of unhelpful comments and a single joke. The process of unplugging and re-plugging various components becomes a rite of passage, revealing the universal struggles shared among PC gamers across the globe.
Teamed up with strangers and somehow clicked
Andrea Shearon, Evergreen Editor: The thrill of tackling a challenging MMO encounter is amplified when shared with strangers. My favorite pastime in Final Fantasy 14 involves navigating the Party Finder, a system that connects players with similar objectives. One of my fondest memories dates back to 2014, during the introduction of the formidable primal Ramuh’s extreme trial. Despite its difficulty, I spent days crafting in-game macros to guide fellow players through its intricate mechanics. Although it was a struggle, my determination paid off when a group of players appreciated my efforts, leading us to successfully clear the trial together. This experience solidified my confidence and fostered a sense of camaraderie that many in the gaming community cherish.
Went down the flavor text rabbit hole
Lincoln Carpenter, News Writer: The traditional roguelike genre has long been a staple of PC gaming, and few titles exemplify this better than Caves of Qud. This game not only embraces the existential challenges inherent in roguelikes but also captivates players with its richly detailed flavor text. The game’s descriptions of creatures and items create an immersive atmosphere that transcends typical gameplay. From the poetic imagery of salt scars trailing along blades to the whimsical characterization of a canvas chair as “a movable wharf for the ass,” Qud transforms the act of inspecting objects into an engaging experience.
Bonded with squadmates as everything goes FUBAR
Evan Lahti, Strategic Director: In a gaming landscape where titles are increasingly cross-platform, Arma stands as a testament to the essence of PC gaming. This military simulation game offers a unique blend of complexity and camaraderie, often requiring players to install a myriad of mods before diving in. The game’s realism fosters a sense of fun, as players navigate the challenges of combat, from damaged rotors to dwindling ammunition. The thrill of calling out “We’re going down!” before leaping from a helicopter encapsulates the exhilarating unpredictability that defines Arma.
Tyler Wilde: While not as hardcore as Arma, games like Battlefield 6 and Sea of Thieves provide their own share of memorable moments. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush of jumping from a spiraling helicopter or the chaos of extinguishing a fire on a sinking pirate ship, these experiences create lasting bonds among players.
Not played a game because it was on one of those… other… launchers
Christopher Livingston, Senior Editor: The convenience of digital gaming can sometimes be overshadowed by the complexities of managing multiple launchers. Despite owning a collection of DVDs and Blu-rays, the effort required to locate a disc often leads to a preference for streaming platforms. This same laziness can extend to gaming, where the realization that a desired title resides on a different launcher prompts a cascade of frustrations. The struggle to remember login credentials, navigate outdated interfaces, and deal with updates can transform the simple act of playing a game into an arduous task, often resulting in the decision to simply watch YouTube instead.
‘Gotten gud’ at a game barely anyone plays
Morgan Park, Staff Writer: Finding joy in a multiplayer game that lacks widespread recognition is a unique experience. My time as a dedicated player of Gotham City Impostors in 2012 exemplifies this sentiment. The quirky FPS pitted players in Batman and Joker cosplay against each other in a delightful blend of chaos and strategy. Similarly, my brief yet intense engagement with Knockout City in 2021 allowed me to reach impressive ranks within a fleeting player base. The rarity of encountering the same players repeatedly fostered a sense of community, a connection often lost in the vastness of modern matchmaking systems.
You haven’t truly experienced PC gaming until you’ve done these 8 things
Reflecting on my years immersed in PC gaming, I find them marked by a series of moments that evoke a sense of nostalgia, moments that truly resonate with the phrase you had to be there. These experiences, whether triumphant or cringe-worthy, contribute to the rich tapestry of what makes a game a classic. One such memory takes me back to my early days in Rust, where I, in my innocent naivety, stumbled into open structures only to fall prey to cleverly disguised trap bases. After several unfortunate deaths, I learned that there exists a strategic layer to the game, one that involves constructing fully-furnished fake shelters designed to lure and eliminate unsuspecting rivals. The outcomes varied; some players would escape, detonating explosives in their wake, while others simply left me to my fate. In any case, my curiosity often led me into trouble, and I paid the price for it.
One cannot overlook the infamous “door stuck” video, a humorous yet telling example of the social dynamics at play in competitive gaming. While I may not engage in solo queues as often, I remain acutely aware that the internet’s antisocial behavior persists. The line between playful pranking and genuine malice can be thin, and for those on the receiving end of griefing, the humor often lies in the persistence and pettiness of the perpetrator. The Team Fortress 2 wiki even dedicates a page to defining griefing, and the documented techniques are as entertaining as they are enlightening. Here are a few notable examples:
Spent three hours troubleshooting
Ted Litchfield, Associate Editor: When faced with issues regarding a new desktop build, the search for solutions can be both enlightening and frustrating. A typical Google search might yield results as bizarre as “You can actually eat a daddy longlegs every now and then and not run into any health complications.” After scrolling past irrelevant links, one might stumble upon a Windows help forum from 2019, where the most helpful advice is often a simple, “Have you considered turning your computer off and on again?”
As the troubleshooting journey continues, one might turn to Reddit, only to find a post from 2017 describing the exact issue, albeit with a mix of unhelpful comments and a single joke. The process of unplugging and re-plugging various components becomes a rite of passage, revealing the universal struggles shared among PC gamers across the globe.
Teamed up with strangers and somehow clicked
Andrea Shearon, Evergreen Editor: The thrill of tackling a challenging MMO encounter is amplified when shared with strangers. My favorite pastime in Final Fantasy 14 involves navigating the Party Finder, a system that connects players with similar objectives. One of my fondest memories dates back to 2014, during the introduction of the formidable primal Ramuh’s extreme trial. Despite its difficulty, I spent days crafting in-game macros to guide fellow players through its intricate mechanics. Although it was a struggle, my determination paid off when a group of players appreciated my efforts, leading us to successfully clear the trial together. This experience solidified my confidence and fostered a sense of camaraderie that many in the gaming community cherish.
Went down the flavor text rabbit hole
Lincoln Carpenter, News Writer: The traditional roguelike genre has long been a staple of PC gaming, and few titles exemplify this better than Caves of Qud. This game not only embraces the existential challenges inherent in roguelikes but also captivates players with its richly detailed flavor text. The game’s descriptions of creatures and items create an immersive atmosphere that transcends typical gameplay. From the poetic imagery of salt scars trailing along blades to the whimsical characterization of a canvas chair as “a movable wharf for the ass,” Qud transforms the act of inspecting objects into an engaging experience.
Bonded with squadmates as everything goes FUBAR
Evan Lahti, Strategic Director: In a gaming landscape where titles are increasingly cross-platform, Arma stands as a testament to the essence of PC gaming. This military simulation game offers a unique blend of complexity and camaraderie, often requiring players to install a myriad of mods before diving in. The game’s realism fosters a sense of fun, as players navigate the challenges of combat, from damaged rotors to dwindling ammunition. The thrill of calling out “We’re going down!” before leaping from a helicopter encapsulates the exhilarating unpredictability that defines Arma.
Tyler Wilde: While not as hardcore as Arma, games like Battlefield 6 and Sea of Thieves provide their own share of memorable moments. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush of jumping from a spiraling helicopter or the chaos of extinguishing a fire on a sinking pirate ship, these experiences create lasting bonds among players.
Not played a game because it was on one of those… other… launchers
Christopher Livingston, Senior Editor: The convenience of digital gaming can sometimes be overshadowed by the complexities of managing multiple launchers. Despite owning a collection of DVDs and Blu-rays, the effort required to locate a disc often leads to a preference for streaming platforms. This same laziness can extend to gaming, where the realization that a desired title resides on a different launcher prompts a cascade of frustrations. The struggle to remember login credentials, navigate outdated interfaces, and deal with updates can transform the simple act of playing a game into an arduous task, often resulting in the decision to simply watch YouTube instead.
‘Gotten gud’ at a game barely anyone plays
Morgan Park, Staff Writer: Finding joy in a multiplayer game that lacks widespread recognition is a unique experience. My time as a dedicated player of Gotham City Impostors in 2012 exemplifies this sentiment. The quirky FPS pitted players in Batman and Joker cosplay against each other in a delightful blend of chaos and strategy. Similarly, my brief yet intense engagement with Knockout City in 2021 allowed me to reach impressive ranks within a fleeting player base. The rarity of encountering the same players repeatedly fostered a sense of community, a connection often lost in the vastness of modern matchmaking systems.