1. What’s your favorite kind of video game to play with your family?
The original Wii has some great party games (Mario Party/Kart, Rayman Raving Rabbids). I have a group of friends of all ages with whom I play Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare online.
2. What’s your favorite quality in a male game character? Female game character?
In both: Empathy. A desire to learn and grow. Ability to push through to a goal in spite of personal weaknesses, obstacles, or failings. Willingness to stand up for others. Basically, the same qualities I admire in real-life people.
3. What kinds of game do you avoid?
I’d sooner eat a flat tire than play a MOBA. Have never gotten into fighting games although I’ve tried.
4. What’s your favorite quality in your gaming buddies (kids or not)?
Humor. Welcoming to new or less skilled players.
5. What’s your main fault as a gamer?
If a game has a great story, it’s easy for me to lose track of time, crawl into bed at 2 a.m., and be utterly useless the next day.
6. How has gaming shaped your identity?
My family got an Atari 2600 when I was about 5, and my first memories of truly excelling at something came from playing games like Pitfall, Adventure, and E.T. (yes, that E.T.) I’ve continued to play and enjoy games since then, although now my greatest enjoyment comes from teaching others how to play. I taught my wife to play Halo, and we had a blast running through the co-op campaign mode. More recently, I helped a handful of people get into the Mass Effect 3 online multiplayer. My son is still too young to know what he’s doing in a game, but I look forward to playing with him in a few years.
7. What’s your idea of a miserable gaming experience?
Terrible controls (Early Resident Evil games); bad camera (Devil May Cry); unpleasant online strangers
8. In which virtual world would you choose to vacation?
Super Mario Galaxy
9. Which game did you find most visually appealing?
Assassin’s Creed series
10. Which game soundtrack would you listen to on repeat?
Final Fantasy VI. I have several versions of this soundtrack, and have listened to them all on repeat. Repeatedly.
11. Which game has your favorite story?
I still remember the first time I played Ultima IV and Final Fantasy II (IV); I was blown away by the depth of both stories. I loved the way Planescape: Torment encouraged different methods of solving problems other than “Kill them all.” The Mass Effect series marks the first time I cried at a video game story. Also, I’m trained as a theologian and religious writer, and Dragon Age: Inquisition makes some profound observations regarding faith, doubt, and theodicy.
12. Which video game character would you choose to be a hero for your kids?
Ramza Beoulve (Final Fantasy Tactics). Doing the right thing may be difficult and costly, and you may not get any credit for it. Do the right thing anyway.
13. Who’s your favorite video game villain?
Psycho Mantis (Metal Gear Solid)
14. Which video game ability/item/superpower would you most like to be gifted with?
The Normandy, or any spaceship with an FTL drive
