Like most middle class, North American children my first video game experience came at the hands of an stereotypical Italian plumber. The bleeps and bloops combined with the ability to both run AND jump were enough to bedazzle my 8 year old mind. All Mario Bros. did, however, was introduce me to a new world, as it did likewise for many of you.
It wasn't until I played a fairly unknown game called "Conquests of Camelot" that the fever took hold. It was made by Sierra, and solidly existed in the niche they created with "King's Quest" brand. It wasn't particularily well made and I doubt you'll find it on anyone's top 10 list (including my own), but it caught my imagination. While Mario and all his friends were very fun to play with, it was only ever a game. It still used the arcade throw back of limited lives, and when it was turned off, any progress you made was wiped clean. This was all I had ever known, and happily played along. My first PC encounter forever changed my expectations. For the first time I felt a measure of immersion, albeit a fairly minor one by today's standards, but it was still undeniably there. For a bit, I was that knight in a strange land tasked with a quest of the utmost importance.
I'd be lying if I said I'd turned my back on consoles after this. I've enjoyed my fair share of time with analog sticks and ergonomically placed thumb buttons. They were only trists though. Moments of folly and fun. In the end, PC games will always be my time-waster of choice. What PC game brought you into the fold?
It wasn't until I played a fairly unknown game called "Conquests of Camelot" that the fever took hold. It was made by Sierra, and solidly existed in the niche they created with "King's Quest" brand. It wasn't particularily well made and I doubt you'll find it on anyone's top 10 list (including my own), but it caught my imagination. While Mario and all his friends were very fun to play with, it was only ever a game. It still used the arcade throw back of limited lives, and when it was turned off, any progress you made was wiped clean. This was all I had ever known, and happily played along. My first PC encounter forever changed my expectations. For the first time I felt a measure of immersion, albeit a fairly minor one by today's standards, but it was still undeniably there. For a bit, I was that knight in a strange land tasked with a quest of the utmost importance.
I'd be lying if I said I'd turned my back on consoles after this. I've enjoyed my fair share of time with analog sticks and ergonomically placed thumb buttons. They were only trists though. Moments of folly and fun. In the end, PC games will always be my time-waster of choice. What PC game brought you into the fold?
![[Gavo]](https://eg-forums-escapist-data.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/avatars/l/33/33764.jpg?1620201950){kind=avatar}
