Soapbox features allow our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random things they’ve chewed on. Today, Nathan reflects on how his analytical mind and love of data influence his leisure time…
I am the oldest of four brothers. Over the past four years, we have used video games as a means of connecting with each other. But not in the way you’d expect. We didn’t play games together. Instead, we have an annual tradition of hosting weekly discussions and debates about games, game music, and most recently, crowning our collective favorite game of all time.
Our annual debates were a convenient way to connect. They also provided me with a unique learning experience. I’ve noticed more clearly than ever how my personality is reflected in how I experience gaming, a hobby I’ve been doing for pretty much my entire life.
30 day challenges
Our annual tradition started as a COVID lockdown. I came across a “30-Day Video Game Music Challenge” chart on the web and thought it would be fun to complete. The chart has 30 video game music categories, one for each day, including “On Screen Music”, “Credits Music” and everything in between.
Raw data wasn’t enough for me – I had to discover the stories behind the data.
As I filled it out, I wondered how my brothers would answer the same questions and how their answers would differ from mine. We ended up growing up in the same house.
Everyone agreed to the challenge and the preparation took a week or two. I started a texting thread and every day at 8am we answered that day’s question together. The answers came in the form of a link to a YouTube video of our song along with a brief explanation.
Number crunching
Of course, I captured everything in the table.
I say “naturally”, but that was the first indication that my approach to gaming was different from my brothers’. All four of us enjoyed listening to our song selections, but I was the only one looking for trends in our answers. I wanted to dissect and analyze it. Raw data wasn’t enough for me – I had to discover the stories behind the data.
Who among us was the most nostalgic? Which console appeared the most? Which franchises were overrepresented?
These were the questions that demanded my attention and required my analysis. My brothers made fun of me when I shared my reasoning, but it was clear that they didn’t “mind” it as much as I did. My approach was different.
Leading the way
During the first round, we relied on a pre-arranged “game music” challenge. The following year, in 2021, I decided to get creative by creating my own 30-day challenge. This time each question will be answered by the name of the game.
Categories included “First video game you remember,” “Underrated game,” “Favorite or memorable boss fight” (I’ll never forget the first time I killed Hitler in Bionic Commando!) and “A game that would make a good movie.” And so on.
I sent out the daily survey again and tallied the results in my trusty spreadsheet. I was the leader, organizer and driving force behind this second round of the Lockard brothers’ challenge.
I maintained the tradition in 2022 (Essential Movies) and again in 2023 when I spoofed my magnum opus, “Lockard Bros. Best. Game. Ever” tournament bracket.
Bracket
This was our most difficult challenge yet. Compiling the list of games for the bracket took hours and hours, not to mention how much work went into the construction of the bracket itself.
The entire bracket featured 208 games split into two smaller groups (retro and modern), 189 head-to-head matches, 15 playoff groups, and a best-of-eight double-elimination playoff to cap it all off. Maybe I overdid it. Clearly, I’ve been thinking about video games a lot more than playing them.
The tournament was a lot of work to prepare and even its run was no picnic.
Here’s a pro tip for anyone interested in hosting a tournament pool: make sure you have an odd number of voters. My three brothers and I were tied 2-2 36 times in our group. That’s almost every fifth game.
This revealed my second personality trait – I’m a bit bossy. I acted as arbitrator in these 2 to 2 votes. Maybe it’s a result of being the oldest (birth order and all), but I made sure every standoff was resolved amicably. Every 2-to-2 became 2-plus-to-2. And somehow we’re still friends.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Super Mario World came out on top.
Personality types
My brothers and I have yet to hold the 2024 release. To be honest, crowning the best game of all time will be difficult. If you have any ideas, I’m all ears.
Even if last year’s challenge turns out to be the last, the damage is done: I am now very aware that my personality is revealed in my gaming habits.
I had as much fun planning and stacking these gaming challenges as I do playing the games. Maybe more.
I am a software architect by training. Another consequence of my structured, analytical personality. What can I say? I like to organize and analyze. And not just in my code repositories. I love making lists, inventorying my collections and looking for the best sales.
So is it any wonder that I’m a fan of tactical strategy games? Or that I always give 100% every game I play? Heck, I probably spend as much time cataloging and managing my physical and digital video game collections as I do playing them. Clearly, it is my mindset (which has been abundantly revealed in the annual challenges) that drives all these behaviors and preferences.
At this point you may be wondering where I am going with this. Either that or you’re living that DiCaprio meme, frantically pointing at the screen and yelling, “That’s me!” Either way, I hope you’re thinking about how your own personality and passions are reflected in your approach to gaming.
As Socrates said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” I know more about myself thanks to some 30 day challenges. Here’s hoping some wisdom is on the way.
Do you think your personal or professional inclinations influence the way you enjoy video games? Is the effect always positive? Let us know in the comments.