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My training for 444 deaths in "The Messenger": looking after my children

4.11.2023

Translation: machine translated

When you have young children, you can only play certain types of video game: those that you can interrupt. And for that, Metroidvania games are perfect. Strangely enough, it's a genre for which I didn't have enough patience or composure before I became a father.

You should know that I'm a video game nut. At least, I was before I had children. In fact, since my eldest was born, I've very rarely been able to play for as long as I used to. But fortunately, my sons are no longer babies, so I have a bit more time to indulge my former passion.

That's when I discovered a new genre: Metroidvania. This term is a catch-all word created from two series names: Metroid and Castlevania. Metroidvania games are characterised by large game worlds, so each one is accessible once you've acquired certain new skills. I've just finished The Messenger. A few years ago, I wouldn't have been able to. It's my children who have been my best preparation.

Parents need nerves of steel

If you've been in contact with young children, you know this well: they can throw a tantrum if, in their opinion, you haven't spread their slice of bread properly. Another classic: you've finally finished dressing the youngest for a walk in the woods. But your eldest has already taken off his anorak. You can start all over again. Besides, they never like the way you peel bananas. In short, life with children is an apprenticeship in patience.

Before I became a father, I was a real ball of nerves. My children taught me to keep calm in all circumstances. A quality that comes in very handy in another context: Metroidvania games. Even when I die for the tenth time in the same place, I don't give up. I no longer scream like a madman. On the contrary, I thank the game for giving me feedback (my virtual death) and give it another go.

I'm the constant target of personal attacks

I was mobbed for most of my schooling. I was always pushed aside by my classmates. In the end, this didn't make me stronger, but weaker. In fact, I lacked self-confidence for years. My self-esteem only slowly improved. And even as a young adult, I took the slightest criticism personally.

What about today? I'm still being insulted. But now it's my own children who are calling me names. Some of the insults are clear ("you're stupid"), others less so ("Dad, you're a grey-haired sausage"). In the past, this would have made me angry, but today, "t'es bête" leaves me cold (I use this expression myself). I've also noticed that even adults have trouble controlling their emotions. This is evidenced by the heated debates in the online comments. As for the grey-haired sausage, my son told me that it wasn't an insult, but a compliment. That said, he couldn't explain to me how it was flattering to look like a sausage. Anyway, thanks to him and his brother, I've learnt to keep my cool.

What does this long digression have to do with Metroidvania games? In The Messenger, which I've just finished, I have an infinite number of lives. Every time I die, the greedy demon Kazimodo revives me. In return, he eats all the temporal diamonds (the game's currency) that I have to collect. And he makes fun of me every time. For example, he tells me: "I'm the one you'd never have met if you'd had any talent". Right up until the credits rolled, the little mocking demon had given me 444 criticisms (I'm not very good at this game). Today, I'm proud to be able to take these criticisms in good humour.

Thanks to my children, I play Metroidvania games in a zen way, I no longer destroy the controller or burst into tears. I'm even thinking of giving a try again to some of the platform games that had a way of infuriating me in my youth. Do you know what? I'm definitely going to go back to being a video game nut.

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Kevin Hofer

Senior Editor

kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.ch

From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.

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