Since I was a little girl, I’ve grown up watching my father painting miniatures and participating in tabletop gaming. This was the man who I’d always known, but when he was hit with a stroke that left him blind in one eye he had to make some life changes.
It was then that he switched to playing video games and now he has completely engulfed himself in the culture and lifestyle. This even means becoming a Twitch streamer, something he has been wanting to do for years. I was able to ask him a few questions about his life as a gamer and now a streamer.
What made you interested in gaming and video games all those years ago?
“I have always been a big fan of Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror so in the Late 70s/Early 80s when Tabletop RPGs and Arcade Games became big it was a natural fit. A friend gave me the original Dungeons & Dragons RPG box set and I have not looked back.”
You started off doing tabletop gaming, what made you make the switch to almost all video games?
“Health concerns a few years back left me blind in one eye. Part of the fun of Tabletop Wargames was the modeling aspect which was now very difficult. A friend suggested MMORPGs during my recovery and I have played the vast majority of them.”
Why did you want to join Twitch and start streaming?
“I like to talk. I mean I really like to talk and chatting with others about games while playing just makes it more fun. I had some friends who streamed and they gave me some good advice about how to get started.”
How has the experience been so far?
“Technical problems aside, it has been very fun. It takes a long time to create a successful product and I work hard each stream to improve the stream for the people watching.”
How do you feel about the Xbox One allowing Twitch streaming? How do you think it will affect Twitch?
“I think that it is great that Xbox One created the console with the possibility for more people to use it to stream. Twitch runs a very tight ship when it comes to streamers so many of the negatives that plague the reputation of console players is something that both sides will have to overcome. Many of the games that console players will be able to stream are already being streamed through third party programs and by PC versions of the game so it will create more competition which can only lead to better streamers.”
I am so proud of my father and how he has turned a hobby into a new way of life. If you would like to support my dad, follow his Twitch Channel, Coachgaming.
Published: Jul 13, 2013 10:32 pm