By Alyssa Maxwell
Reporter
Two Fridays ago, my two best friends, Jonathan and Xavier, and I had lunch plans at Collins Cafeteria. Before heading over, I called both to make sure we were still on for lunch. Neither of them answered.
After a few more failed attempts at contacting them, I drove over to Heritage Quarters thinking they were away from their phones and getting ready for lunch. When I arrived, I called Xavier one more time and he finally answered.
Xavier rushed past me and dashed for Jon Jon’s apartment. Frustrated, I rushed behind him. As I approached Jon Jon’s bedroom door, sounds of guns, screaming and profanity were booming from the TV speaker.
They were playing the newly released video game Gears of War 3.
Needless to say our lunch plans were canceled due to “uncontrollable circumstances.” Reluctantly, I proceeded to sit down and watch these two guys intensely play the video game. Profanity was pouring out of their mouths every time something went awry.
Jon Jon’s cell phone rang as he received a call from his girlfriend. He didn’t answer. She called again. No answer. I asked if he was ever going to answer his phone. No response. I was physically in the room and he didn’t even respond to me.
What makes this game so interesting and intriguing? How can guys spend hours upon hours playing “Gears of War 3?” Their response: The game provides an escape from reality. It allows us to go on a virtual adventure. It creates a scenario that we would never have a chance to be in, in reality.
I rolled my eyes in disbelief. These guys cancelled lunch plans with their best friend to play a video game. I know they were hungry. Why on earth would they postpone eating to play a video game? Jon Jon even ignored his girlfriend. All of this just to escape from reality? How ridiculous.
The following day I decide to see what all the hype was about. I headed over to Jon Jon’s apartment at 10 a.m. to test my skills at Gears of War 3.
We began playing at 10:30 a.m. We ended at 2:30 that afternoon. Two acts and 12 chapters (levels in the game) later I found myself craving more of this newly found escape. We even skipped lunch to continue our virtual adventure.
“Gears of War 3” is by far the most amazing game I have ever played. You get drawn into the storyline, making it impossible to stop playing. Even I didn’t answer my phone during the intense hours of game play.
Everything they said about the game being an escape was true. During those four hours, I indulged myself in the video game and set reality aside.
So ladies, the next time your boyfriend or guy best friend ditches you for the video games, don’t be offended and take it to heart. I suggest you play with them or even allow them to get away from reality. I think these video games might even be the answer to successful relationships.
Alyssa Maxwell is a senior journalism public relations major from Katy and is a reporter for the Lariat.
