Interview with my video gaming 14 year old cousin.

The following is in an interview with a 14 year old cousin Kyle, whose last name will not be given.  He is an avid video game enthusiast.  Most of the questions were predetermined.  The planned interview ended up being a conversation in which Kyle touches on many topics relating to the digital native generation. He was very open and honest in our interview/conversation.  I even asked him if there was anything he did not want me to publish or if there was anything he didn’t want his mother to know – I didn’t want to get him in trouble.  He gave the green light.

1.      How would you describe a video gamer?

A gamer is someone who plays games actively and as a hobby.  A real gamer plays more than other people.

2.      Do you fit the description? What games do you like?

I think I do.  I play about 7 hour’s day.   I play League of legends, it’s a multi-player game. You have to use strategy to play.  Being a multi-player game, the players have to listen to each other.  You have to have no ego. If you want to win the game, you cannot put yourself before others and you need to communicate

3.      What is the goal of League of Legends? 

You have 5 teammates and you have 5 enemies. You have to destroy the nexus from other team.  You have to get their base.  You have to work together.

4.      This sounds like fun.  Is it easy to learn?  What is the experience of beginning players? 

You’re not going to be good at first.  You have to get used to the game, but if you want to play it’s something that we can work towards.

5.      Maybe I’ll play.  Do you choose your team or do you get random players?

You can invite your friends and play together.  So we could play together.

6.      You spoke about communication skills during a game, please explain?

 

When someone makes a mistake, you don’t want to criticize them.  You want to tell them in a nice way so they don’t do this again.  You don’t want to make it worse.  Teammates can become enemies. You don’t want that.

You want your teammates to like you.  You complement each other.  If you don’t like the people you are playing with, you are not going to have a fun experience.

7.      What are the feelings you experience during gaming? 

There are many parts to the matches.  There’s climaxes in the game and different feelings. I get an uneasy feeling before fight.  I’m like waiting for something to happen.  It’s the intensity of the moment.  I feel that winning and losing doesn’t matter.  I like the feeling when playing the game, in the moment.  It’s also cool because you are experiencing the game with your friends.  If you lose you definitely want a second chance.

You may be losing very hard but you can win if you put your all into it. Best type of win is a comeback win, with friends. 

When I’m playing games I don’t think about real life. 

8.      Tell me about Epic wins?

Wow, if you win it’s a relief.  Matches can last 40 minutes.  After it’s over, wow that’s awesome. If we win, I feel like a winner. The game says, “Victory!”

9.      What types of skills from gaming can be applied to reality? 

Connection to reality, leadership, teaches you about interaction with other people.  Decision making, real time, right then and there, no time, you have make decisions.  Cooperation with other people, you may not know the people and you must get to know the people and make the best of it.

10.  Are there negative consequences to gaming? 

In some cases it can be bad but mostly positive.

11.  What is your concentration level when you are gaming? 

I am very concentrated; I forget it’s a game. 

12.  What is your concentration level when you are doing your schoolwork? 

Schoolwork concentration depends on subject.  I’m not as intense.  Not enjoying like gaming.

13.  How are your social skills in person as opposed to online? 

I still look people in the eye.

14.  Does gaming have an effect on social life? 

No. I don’t mix gaming with real life.  One thing, people introduce others who like to game and share a common interest.

15.  How would you describe people that you play games online and you know personally in reality? 

Some people that I know have different personalities online and in person.

16.  Are there people that you only know online?  What is your relationship with them like? 

I am playing with people in Canada and Chicago.  I’ve known them 3 years, that’s more than some of my real life friends.  I definitely want to meet them.  We share a common experience and we have bonded.

17.  Do you have other interests aside from gaming?

I play tennis.  I play percussion.  I read books.

18.  Print books?

Yes, print books.

19.  Do you play physical games like Wii?

I don’t really play Wii. The physical video games are for kids.  The intellectual games involve reasoning.  That’s my interest.

20.  Are you more comfortable communicating in online text or in person? 

Depends on the person.

21.  Is it easier to meet someone online or in person?

Easier to meet someone online.  In matches.  In real life it’s situational; in a game you have same interest.

22.  Do you take care of your basic human needs, like do you miss eating and sleeping for video games?

I eat and sleep.

23.  If you are not online do you miss games? 

Depends on the situation.  If I’m at a party and there’s nobody to talk to, I would rather game.  If something is interesting I don’t feel need to game.

24.  Do you use Social media?

I do Facebook and Instagram.  Gaming goes hand in hand, at same time.  The Canada and Chicago friends are my social media friends.

25.  Do you need to be constantly stimulated?

I get bored easily; sometimes I need to be doing something. Yes, maybe I have a smaller attention span.