It's been an astonishing 7 years since the release of q3test, the first demo of Quake3, when all of we hardcore kids started playing the game.
It was 4 years ago when I retired from my hardcore status in the game to pursue Wolfenstein.
And one year ago since its successor, Q4, got released.
And still, where was I this weekend, but a reunion LAN of several of Austin's best and funniest players, playing the same damn game as years and years ago. The maps and the interface are all new, as a result of years' worth of modifications, but it's the same game. Spawn, grab a couple weapons, try to control something, die. Lather, rinse, repeat. But for me, it's always been about the players.
7 years ago, I was an awkward high school freshman, unaware that I was about to receive the gift from the gods which is now the standard-issue requirement: high-speed internet. As soon as I could though, I jumped into the scene and started meeting people as quickly as I could at LAN parties and the like. Within a year, I started my first gig as a gaming writer. Within two, I was a minor community figure with an international readership and a reputation for outspokenness. Within three, the world knew I peaked as a player and I was off to try other things: Wolfenstein, console games, girlfriends. But those 3 years have stayed with me not only in my memories but as part of my outer identity.
Last night, I was still able to recognize, and still recognized by, a smattering of the players I surrounded myself with back in the day:
Joshvar - that's a given, he's been one of my close friends ever since I joined his clan 5 years ago. It was his departure (he was also trying out the "girlfriend" thing) that pretty much sealed the deal for my "serious" Q3 career.
Bughouse - the best friend of the guy who gave me my first writing job. Still cool as hell.
Daler - When Josh and I first teamed up, we brought in an up-and-coming guy named Sean who could hit anything with a railgun. 5 years on, he's an international pro player who can still hit too damn much with the rail.
Jonfoo - The eventual clanmate of Daler, and one of the smartest guys I know.
LoSt_CaUsE - this guy's a real story. Back in the day, when it was still the early days of Q3, this guy and I teamed up with one more guy, Habib, and the three of us were a training trio for duel gaming. Habib and I became close friends while LC took a break to deal with issues in his real life. Later on, I retired, Habib started doing decently (winning local and doing well in national stuff; top 32-ish in international stuff) and LC came out of nowhere to steadily climb to where he is now. Now, he's one of the best American gamers; and he makes a living by bouncing from city to city, all over the world, and playing Quake4. Of all the guys I thought who would ever make it in the pros, I thought he stood a great chance, but I never thought he'd do it this late into the game.
I've also come a long way, but in a much different fashion. Those guys kept on improving, living through the same frustrations and challenges to nail every shot, time attacks properly. I hit the books and learned how to be good with people. I'm just thankful I didn't completely humiliate myself when I played with them. I expected to be lower in the ranks, which I was, but I was far from hopeless.
Strangely, though, I felt a long-lost sensation. The need to relax. Back then I got into chillout music because it lowered my blood pressure, in contrast to all the high-intensity gaming I was doing. In the last year, I found myself bored with chillout sounds and looking for more excitement. I ended up liking pop music and discovering hip-hop and faster beats. Maybe the low-pressure life of Spain had something to do with it. But last night, after just a few hours relatively close to being back in the life, I found myself cranking
down the Thievery Corporation on my drive home.
It was great to visit home again. Granted, this home is a virtual place, but given my near-constant moving of homes, dorms, apartments, Q3 is still more familiar than pretty much anything. And when you return home to see all your old peeps, well, it's just that much better.
