What If...

What if the world today spins a full 360 degrees and you find that education is no longer a necessity in life? Here goes my story of a lucky child who got his wish granted:-

"Last time, I used to perform quite well in the subjects that I take during my primary levels. Ever since I started to step into the secondary levels, I found it more difficult to cope up with the subjects. New subjects started to appear in our syllabus after each year that passed. I started to get bored of them as none of them interests me.

I became a game addict during that stage ever since. Everything was all about gaming. I saved up my cash to upgrade my computer systems, go to cyber cafes, took part in World Cyber Games, and came back with trophies. My parents were not too happy/pleased with my achievement because they thought that games bring no meaning into life.

Then came my 14th birthday. I wished for something that I wished I would have wished earlier (funny statement though), which is...to make gaming a major priority in life. I slept through the night thinking of all the possibilities that could happen if it had become true.

The following morning, I woke up just to be scolded by my father for being late. When I reached school, I was surprised/shocked to know that the subjects have been changed! They had subjects such as "Computer Basics", "System Optimization for Gamers", and "Simple Games' Programming". Those were what I wished for all my life!

Some students who didn't know what the teacher was crapping in class, actually went to cybercafes aka tuition to brush up their skills! I willingfully accompanied some of my buddies to the cafe just to teach them the basics of playing First Person Shooters (FPS). You know...stuff like the 'w s a d' keys and mouse movements. I was not the only one there though, there are also some gangsters playing Real Time Strategy (RTS) games namely DotA.

Then came (Permainan Menengah Rendah) PMR and then the (Sijil Permainan Malaysia) SPM exams. Oh, how I wish I could resit them. Rules are simple. No webcams allowed, no bringing down the console menu, no accessing cheat codes, and don't make any noise during exam. Wow!!! I still remember the time when I PwNEd my nOob classmate in Quake II. I tried not to LOL but instead I got a warning from the invigilator nearby.

Needless to say, I passed the exams with flying graphics. Now what? Decision-making time to join a particular college. I had plentiful leaflets in my hands...it's just a matter of interest in the subjects the college had to offer. I obviously chose APIIT because I had a preference for games. Other colleges can enter my pants...

APIIT was such a paradise...the computer labs...gosh...it was like a HUGE cybercafe with extremely fast and up-to-date systems, except that they don't serve drinks =p The subjects offered are specifically categorized into their own genre; FPS, TPS, RTS, MMORPG, MMO, Racing, Sim, Puzzle, and much more! But for those who have just enrolled in APIIT, must go through what they call "the Foundation Year", which includes all of the above-mentioned genre. Sigh, FPS is the only subject I excel in. Others...at least a Credit. Oh well...

Once Foundation Level is over, I pursued the FPS course together with a few of my friends. What happened to the others?? They went into the RTS/MMORPG course...stupid DotA! Anyway, the games softwares are all provided in the labs, and they're all Original! At times like these, who needs piracy? Among the popular games installed there were Doom 3, Half Life 2, Serious Sam, and heck, even the John Woo + The Ring style game, F.E.A.R. was available!

Fast forward to after graduation day. I stood out of APIIT holding the title of "Masters of next-gen FPS". Finding a job was easy. It's just a matter of handing in the resum'e and going through the interview process.

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Interviewer: Tell me more about yourself.

Me: I come from an average family in Sunway and I don't have any siblings. I usually hang around cybercafes to learn from pro players as well as to build self-esteem. I have a very huge talent in FPS games. I have won numerous prizes and trophies during my early education. I completed F.E.A.R. in the Extreme difficulty without using slo-mo in less than 5 hours, I completed Doom 3 in less than 10 hours in the dark at medium difficulty, I have played Half Life 2 without ever stopping to save my game, and I could go on forever with other achievements.

Interviewer: Ok, don't you have the slightest interests in other game genres?

Me: Hmm, I do...but I suck pretty bad. I played Manhunt at Hardcore difficulty but I just couldn't manage to pull off those gory combos perfectly. Besides that, flying simulators don't suit me because I don't own a joystick. Sim games are not my type and...

Interviewer: Why so, if I may ask?

Me: Erm...

Interviewer: Yes...?

Me: Sims are for lifeless dudes...I mean seriously, man...get a life of YOUR own. I don't play God, I live to play MY life...and that is by playing games that make me ME...virtually.

Interviewer: Very good! I like your style! I'd like to see you next week, then.

Me: Thank you very much, sir! Pleased to meet you.

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And that was how grandpa got a job and subsequently found a beautiful wife and have you guys around"

Wow, grandpa! You played F.E.A.R.? Cool! You should try this game out - T.E.A.R. (Tenth Encounter Assault Recon)