Your article by Nguyen Quang Hung sent to the competition Golden Pen 2020, the editorial team just adjusted the presentation for suitability.
The Youth of Gamers
“Now, I have a phone that can store thousands of messages. But I can’t find anyone to chat with anymore…”.A famous old saying on the internet, perhaps originating from some guy who suddenly sighed in nostalgia for a youth full of regrets.
The youth of gamers is the same. For the 8x generation – those kids back then, now considered adults, that time didn’t offer many pleasures like today. I still remember a time when people were crazy about hip hop, rap music, viewing it as a trendy pastime. There was also a group of wealthier young people passionate about skating, buying expensive shoes to satisfy their desire to glide smoothly on the rink. More commonly, people immersed themselves in sports like football, martial arts, badminton…
There was only one thing that was created to satisfy all classes, all interests, and all financial capabilities of the youth back then. That was gaming!
Speaking of games back then, the concept of web games and mobile games was a luxury (even the concept of mobile games then was simply… snake). We didn’t see colorful, vibrant games… the graphics were all quite similar – ten games looked the same as instant noodle games today.
More than a decade ago, in the definition of net-playing youth, it was Age of Empires, Half Life, Starcraft… And online games referred to names like MU, Võ Lâm, Gun Bound, Silk Road, Audition… Those names are very familiar in the memories of those who sometimes reminisce about their youth. The graphics were monotonous, the colors dull, yet so many years have passed and they still remain vividly in the minds of Vietnamese gamers…
Back then, students, young people became friends and bonded through games. Friendships blossomed from shouting at each other during a few Age of Empires matches, relationships turning from virtual to real through helping each other hunt bosses, giving newbies a few items…
Online games back then were nothing like today; they had very strong communities, gamer forums gathering millions of people from all over the country. They discussed, shared experiences with each other. They did many things to express their love for gaming, from writing, drawing, creating, singing… They sought and developed their relationships.
Every time an online game publisher organized an offline event, it was not hard to witness gamers crowding the venue, spilling out onto the streets. Does anyone remember the Làn Sóng Xanh gathering point on Chùa Bộc street, which was once a hub for all major offline events of online games in the North? We were all there, eager like children waiting for candy – those unique yet simple gifts featuring the games we played from the publishers. Excitedly discussing and commenting on the upcoming updates, new features of the game.
We were there, during what is considered the “golden age” in the history of online gaming development in our country. To immerse in the community, to find “virtual” relationships – but just as real as anything else…
We were there, painting a lively, noisy, and passionate picture of our own youth…
Just ask all the 8x gamers, is there anyone who has never stayed up late next to a noisy, outdated computer? Or shouted while shooting in Half Life, or teasing each other joyfully during Age of Empires, Starcraft… Have you ever yelled in a café like a child when finding an excellent item, or laughed until your face was sore every time an enhancement failed? The answer will surely be “yes, and those feelings remain intact here, not faded at all!”
It’s just that growing up is really harsh! Now that we are adults, can we ever find those carefree, exciting, and happy moments again?
School days, does anyone remember the days of skipping class, or getting off early, gathering to chip in for a few PES matches, losing in and out? Does anyone remember sometimes being in a small gaming café, shouting with red faces, suddenly being “ganked” by parents or teachers, the kids timidly dragging each other out of the café, heading home surely to get a beating, then the next day back to square one…
During college, does anyone remember the time when dozens of us gathered at a small internet café, fighting over every computer? Does anyone remember when an Age of Empires or Starcraft match could only have a maximum of 8 players, while there were over a dozen wanting to showcase themselves? Does anyone remember the café owner yelling for everyone to play Half Life all night, with the upstairs shooting down at the downstairs? Having to use a separate computer as a host because “the machine was weak, too many people caused lag”?
Does anyone remember that more than half of those kids dreamed of their future careers, not as lofty as engineers, doctors, teachers, or pilots… being a professional gamer was still something too far away. But simply “opening an internet café” – to play games freely, to host friends to relax, to satisfy their passion?
I believe we still remember!
Back then, we were just kids taking our first steps in life, with no money, no skills, only a burning passion, with close friends who never abandoned each other, having gatherings where we shouted until our voices were hoarse just for a promise…
Now, we have careers, earn money, have responsibilities for ourselves, have the means to buy a powerful gaming rig that can handle every game out there, have flashy phones to call each other anytime…
It’s just that, where are the people who were by our side back then?
Youth is nothing but regret!
The youth of gamers is an unending ache.
And all those memories…
It has become customary for the “Golden Pen” playground organized by GameK annually for gamers to have the opportunity to interact and showcase themselves with gamers from all over.
This is also where you get to read and experience outstanding, quality articles… surrounding the life, the very personal feelings that only gamers can understand – empathize with.
Details of the competition and prizes can be found Here. For all articles and inquiries, please send to [email protected]!