The Fear of Missing Out, or FOMO, is a real concept that people have coined in online forums.
When a new game launches, and you see EVERYONE jumping on that new game hype train, it makes YOU want to join in as well.
We all want to be a part of a new video game release celebration. We all want to join in on the fun and feel like we’re a part of something bigger.
I often think about how I’ve waited over 15 years to start building a backlog, and playing through classic games for the first time.
I think about how my friends in middle and high school played through Borderlands and Mass Effect together while I was playing Call of Duty and Halo online. I just wasn’t interested in campaign games.
Hell, even when it comes to Halo, I still have never experienced Master Chief’s story campaign. I have no idea what happens to him or Cortana throughout the story, and some day I hope to find out…
But it’s in missing out on these titles that has led me to having to celebrate video games in my own way.
Recently, I just started the first Resident Evil on PlayStation.
Not only did this game release the year I was born, I’m actually only two days older than it is.
Needless to say, I didn’t have a PlayStation in 1996, nor did I play Resident Evil.
Now that I’m playing the original classic title for the first time, 27 years after its launch, I have to find ways to celebrate it by myself.
Everyone else has already played it.
I’ve read Reddit stories about how guys at 8 to 9 years old, played this game with their friend for the very first time — and the dogs jumping through the window scared the absolute shit out of them; or how the first zombie head-turn reveal, spooked everyone back then.
If only I could’ve experienced what that was like then, right?
Well, I can’t. Unless you lived back in 1996 and played it, you won’t ever know what it’s like.
So you have to find your own experiences.
Chris Redfield is a Smooth Criminal: https://youtu.be/do4sOQOy7X0?feature=shared
I think, ever since I started this “backlog journey” back in 2020, it’s always been about finding my own experiences and creating my own path.
It’s been a journey through video game history as I search for myself.
What type of characters do I like?
What type of characters match me?
What type of games will define me when this is all over?
The people I meet in-person when I go to conventions, or online when I’m on Twitter and Instagram are also part of this adventure.
Video games are one big journey in of themselves, and even when you wait 15+ years to start your path, there will be new experiences waiting for you.
You can still love a game even when you weren’t around for it.
I’m glad I started a backlog. I’m glad I joined Twitter and met new friends.
I’m happy and grateful I can share my fresh new experiences with mid-30’s gaming veterans who’ve been there and know everything about their history.
Thank you for letting me share my journey with you all.
Until next time
👋🏼
