Gamers Give Hours To Hobby

by Lindsay Byers
11.14.07

Since the days of “Pong” and “Galaga,” video games
have improved tremendously. With this continuously
improving technology, some students just can’t resist the temptation to spend hours gaming, and they even participate in video game
tournaments.

“I’ve been to a lot of local (‘Halo 2’) tournaments held by Gamer’s,” senior Ken Ginapp said. “National
tournaments I’ve been to are St. Louis in 2005, Chicago in 2005 and 2007 and Charlotte
in 2007. Anyone qualifies to go to national tournaments, but depending on how you
do you’re invited to the playoffs.”

For many, the only way of preparing for these
tournaments is to play the games for as much time as possible.

“Lately, I’ve been too busy with school to play, but when I played nationally (I) probably (played) 40 plus hours a week,” Ginapp said.

All of this practice seems to pay off.

“I, at one point, was considered (one of the) top four in the state for ‘Halo 2,’” Ginapp said.

In addition to the competition gaming offers, it also gives people a chance to make and strengthen
friendships. Some even have gaming parties.

“We have the parties because we love to play the
game and practice makes perfect when it comes to
competition,” Ginapp said. “Most of the time, it’s six to eight people with four to eight TVs. We stay up late and drink a lot of Redbull. The parties are fun because I’m with my friends just doing something I enjoy a lot.”

Ginapp is not the only student to attend gaming
parties. For some, these parties have become a regular ritual.

“Since ninth grade, a small group of my closest
friends have been hopping to different peoples houses to have ‘Halo’ parties,” junior Mike Schiavone said. “We try to have one at least once a month. It’s a time for us to just hang as guys and play ‘Halo’ and forget about everything else.”

There are many different reasons that students love
the game Halo.

“’Halo’ is not so much about the death and destruction, but about the quality time you get to spend with friends (while playing)," Schiavone said.

photo courtesy of Ken Ginapp