Thank you video games.
For introducing me to fantastic worlds, interesting characters and sometimes maddening challenges. Thank you for transporting me from the real world of awkwardness and anxiety to the expansive fields of Hyrule where I was able to experience what it would be like to be a hero and change the world.
Thank you for teaching about what it truly means to cooperate by allowing me to completely ignore my teammates in favor of jumping around the map firing rockets in random directions and, in the end, accidentally killing everyone on the opposing team. I carry this lesson with me always. Some say I never really learned the right lesson from that, though.
You may not always be perfect; hell, sometimes you downright infuriate me and make me want to throw my controller into an active volcano. However, even in the lowest of moments, I am thankful that you exist.
Most importantly, I am eternally grateful to the legions of creators that have toiled away over the decades since the inception of this wonderful medium to craft the experiences that helped make me a creator today.
So, thank you video games. You have changed me in so many great ways, and made my time on this planet so much more interesting. I would say you made me a better human, but who am I kidding? I still rage quit Injustice 2 :)
I hope you enjoy the adventure as much as everyone here at SMS enjoyed creating it!
— Cory “Ol’ Silver Medal” Barlog
Creative Director, Santa Monica Studio