Financial Fallout

If you’ve got a keen eye and a good memory, you’ll remember seeing recently on Ready Up that I just moved into a flat with my fiancé. One of the main concerns during this transition was cash flow, and gaming purchases were going to have to take a back seat to rent and other boring things. It’s funny, though, how this change has altered my view on the games that I’ve been playing, affecting one series in particular.

To take you back in time, and also tell you a harrowing tale of “first-world-problem” woe, we must return to November 27th, 2008. On that day, two things of relevance happened. First, I turned 19 (OK, that was mostly irrelevant, but it’s worthwhile letting everyone know when my birthday is, hint hint.) Second, I had been given a copy of Fallout 3. Reviews had been positive and I was excited to play it. It’s also worth noting that around this time Microsoft first allowed you to install games onto your Xbox . I figured I would give this a go with Fallout 3, which was a huge mistake. My Xbox only made it 60% of the way before, moment of silence please, it flashed the notorious red ring of doom. I was gutted, and subsequently didn’t get to play Fallout 3 for another month or so whilst I waited my Xbox’s return from the doctors.

At this time I was a student still living at home, and disposable income was not an issue. During the month or so I waited to play Fallout 3, I used my other games consoles to play plenty of other releases, more than sufficiently tiding me over. When the Xbox finally arrived home, with apologies from Microsoft, I realised the shine had somewhat come off the idea of playing Fallout 3. This feeling carried over into the game, and I never quite fell into the grooves that Bethesda had carved. I felt as though myself and my time were better spent on other titles, and the mammoth task of walking the wastelands just didn’t appeal. I never finished Fallout 3.

Fast-forward a few years and I find myself in a pawn shop. Knowing it is a great place to pick up gaming bargains, I spotted the fairly recently released Fallout New Vegas for £9. Knowing that, in the not too distant future, money was going to be more scarce, I picked it up. I fiddled with it a little in the lead up to moving out, but since I’ve been in the flat I find it’s the most appealing digital gratification I can experience at the moment. The now accepted knowledge that I can’t go out and buy as many games as I used doesn’t bother me, because I know there’s a whole world to explore and interact with, and I’m excited to do it this time. I was never a “100%-er” type of gamer before, but my new situations have changed that. I want to see everything, do everything, collect everything. It is ironic, I guess, that this new found appreciation for full completion comes at a time where I can’t afford to do so.