In a lifetime, humans tend to encounter many other humans and these encounters can lead to friendships. For someone, a friend is a person who is there for them to be supportive, and for someone else, a friend is a person who you have fun and spend time with. There are many ways someone can interpret friendship and many ways to make friends. Typically the most common ways are talking to people at work and school or even meeting people in your neighborhood etc. Well, in my case scenario, a small chunk of my circle of pals was made possible by a gaming platform also known as the Playstation.
A Playstation, in the literal sense, is a box of plastic with a bunch of USB ports, cables, buttons, and a motherboard that serves as its brain. By definition, all it can do is stream video games and movies in high quality when connected to a tv, but about a year ago I began using it as an opportunity to socialize with other gamers by chatting in the party sessions while playing. Since then the Playstation has connected me with players from all over the United States and all around the world, some of whom I ended up being great friends with.
Even when I saw how great this gaming console is at making friends, I never once thought much about it or what this object meant to me. However, lately, I started to see it differently, meaning that it wasn’t just a piece of plastic anymore. I began treating this object as a companion or maybe I just value it so much that it has made me feel connected to it, or it could be both reasons. Either way, I have always been excited to use it, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. While everyone was quarantined and could not spend time with their friends, the Playstation made it possible for my pals and I to virtually meet together in order to talk with each other and have fun playing. If I were to compare it to something else in the live world, my best pick would be a bridge. A bridge that is settled virtually, instantly connecting gamers with one another.
Every good thing must come to an end, just as one day this Playstation will probably stop working due to overuse and age but to me, it will still retain its value. The memories that it has created will remain forever, and part of me wants to experience those nostalgic moments in the future with the friends that I made through this platform. The Playstation will sit on a pedestal as one of the objects that shaped my life for the better as a youth.
In conclusion, we encounter many objects in our lives and not all of them are meaningless. For me, it’s the Playstation, and for you, it could be something else but despite what that object is, make sure you recognize its value and cherish the benefits it has brought to you no matter the quantity.
8 comments
Skip to comment form
Especially with the quarantine a lot of people are feeling this way, the only way for us to get the social interaction and connection we crave is through our technology. I think it is fantastic that you were able to point it out. And not only that, but how the object(ps) progressed over time and how its value and significance grew more and more over time. Too often video games are shunned upon, but for so many people as you pointed out, it is an escape and a way to connect with those who have similar interests!
A console is a toy, that can bring so much go to ones life but also bring many connections. I have had a play station since I can remember, also because I have a older brother and he got them before I did and I always played with him. But to me the biggest perk of having a play stone was that I was able to play with my friends when I can not see them, take this pandemic for instance, as I used to see them everyday in person, now I just heard them everyday. I also met one of my closest friends over play station, fun fact.
Hey Grinald! I completely agree with your story and really enjoyed your portrayal of your console in your blog, I would also describe it as an airplane where it takes you on a journey to a different game where you can possibly find new friendships or experiences that you may not have had before. Your ending really wrapped up the bigger message of the story and I think I will use that format the next time I will have to write something similar.
Hi Grinaldi
Although i’m more of an xbox guy, I understand the sentiment of your post. Console gaming has both introduced me to new people and strengthened my friendship with my friends in real life. Although I dont play quite as much anymore, I will always appreciate the memories I made through playing xbox games with friends.
I completely agree with this, as someone that grew up on PS2,PS3, and now PS4, the Playstation transformed from just a device to play games/watch movies into a sort of social media. The PS4 really revolutionized the communication between people, and has been the source of many of my (and your) memories.
Hi Grinaldi
I played Xbox. Sorry, but I understand what you mean. I used to play 2k, and more. People who have made friends by running around and screaming at each other sometimes doubt if online friendship is even possible. However, as a person who experienced it just like you, I know that it works. I used to play games with this person online and we meet for real and played games together. This is the new friendship that we have in our generation has on our hand. It is great that I don’t have to talk about awkward stuff because we can just talk about the game. We already have something in common. I feel nostalgic when I see my old Xbox and I think my friend does too.
I used to play on PlayStation a lot as well. It was amazing spending time with the boys laughing and enjoying ourselves for hours even carrying on up until 3 in the morning. They are really great memories. I also had much fear getting older because of the amount of responsibilities that start crashing in and the time that im able to spend just relaxing. This console will as well have a special place in my heart.
Hello Grinaldi, I enjoyed your story very much, on how important is your play station for you (I can see the relation with my guitar). I loved how you put it, that it is “a bridge” that connects people that you wouldn’t imagine to meet. In how it became something else, not just a piece of plastic but it took a more deep meaning. I like your conclusion also, asking the reader to connect with their own play station.