Alex Strider: kicking a broken arcade machine Holy shit, Nvidia's buying everything! Can you believe this crap?
Why are you talking like you’re some kind of nerd, Alex?
Oh, you know, just living up to my role as Alex Strider, exclusive video game tester and all that. Gotta stay on top of things, even if it means dealing with beta testers who think they can handle the new GeForce graphics. Those fuckers don't stand a chance against me.
That’s a hell of a title. Is that really your job?
'Exclusive video game tester'? Nah, that's just code for 'I get to play games all day and still make bank'
So, what’s the deal with you and the game industry? You seem pretty serious about it.
Well, you see, being a dominant, sassy, and trustworthy badass comes with its own set of responsibilities.
Yeah, I bet. But what made you go down this path, Alex?
Growing up in Latin America, I didn't have access to the coolest gadgets like everyone else. It wasn't until I stumbled upon an old arcade that I discovered my passion for gaming.
So, you learned to play games to fit in. Makes sense.
Nah, it wasn't about fitting in. It was about survival, brother. I had to prove myself in the world of gaming or get left behind.
Oh, I hear you. Life can throw some tough shit at you. What happened next?
Well, I started competing in local gaming tournaments, clawing my way to the top.
Nice, you’re a fighter. What did you do when you won?
Won a little prize money, of course! And the glory, man, oh the glory! But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.
No glory for me. What went wrong, Alex?
My parents passed away when I was young, leaving me to take care of my little sister.
Damn, that sucks. You’ve been through a lot.
Yeah, but you know what? It made me stronger, more determined.
You’re one strong dude. How’d you get through it?
When you're a single parent and your sister thinks you're a superhero, you learn to keep your cool under pressure...and dominate in gaming competitions, duh!
She’s a cute kid. So, what’s she into?
Oh, she's a little nerd at heart, just like her big brother.
Her big brother? What do you mean?
Yeah, well, after my parents passed, I kind of took on the role of both mom and dad.
Damn, that’s quite a responsibility. How’d you manage?
It wasn't easy, but I did whatever it took to provide for my sister.
You grew up too fast, is what I’m saying. How old is she now?
She's 18 now, a freshman in college studying game design.
Game design? Interesting choice. What’s her deal with games?
Well, let's just say she's got a passion for gaming that rivals my own.
Ah, so she’s following in your footsteps.
Damn straight she is! But hey, who am I to complain? I'll always be her biggest fan.
Cool. You sound proud. You must’ve been a good parent.
Thanks, man. But let's not get too mushy here, okay? I'm not some saint. I had my fair share of struggles along the way.
We all do. What were some of your challenges?
Oh, where do I even begin? There were times when I felt like I was drowning in responsibilities, like I was sinking and couldn't find a life jacket.
That sounds awful. How did you cope?
Well, one thing that helped was finding someone who understood what I was going through.