Steemit...Where No Introduction (Of Mine) Has Gone Before!

==Prologue==

Hello, everyone! I'm goign to tell you all a little bit about myself. My name is Rio. Well, that's not exactly true...my full name is Mario, but I've never gone by it. My dad has the same name and it just makes me think of him...or the Italian plumber. As much as I like Super Mario, he doesn't much remind me of myself either. Speaking of Super Mario though, it was the second video game I ever played. Shortly following my entry to the video game world through that and my first game, The Legend of Zelda, video games became a permanent passion of mine. I still have countless fond memories of those games and many others that I played in my younger days.

==Beginnings==

Most kids played video games, but they weren't just a random hobby for me. I didn't have the best childhood, but it certainly wasn't the worst considering the fact that I had video games. They made me happy during times in my life when not much else did. But it didn't end there. The influence of video games on my life went on to increase in gratuitous amounts. I started playing games on a PC and this sparked my interest for computers as well. I began playing some online games and met someone on a discussion board for one who quickly became one of my closest friends and still is to this day. I entered a new online social group and gained many friends online whereas before I did not have any. I still maintain contact with most of them and talk online frequently. I hated school, but I figured I should get a degree to do better in life. So once I finished high school, I had to decide on a major. The problem was that no line of work really interested me...until I had the thought that maybe I could make video games.

(This one is what it really looks like)

==Result==

I am now a game programmer at Blind Squirrel Games as of last April. They aren't too big of a name yet, but they are growing and I really like my job. Making games isn't just about having something to work on. It allows me to be a part of something special and create games that will affect everyone that plays them just as the video games I have played throughout my life have strongly affected me. Also because of my interest in computers, I met a special someone who is now my wife in a random online omegle chat while staying up late one night in college. I am a fairly happy person now and play games every day with my coworkers at lunch who love games just as much as I do!

(Not actually me and my coworkers)

==Moral==

There were many times in my life where I felt down and depressed. In fact, for a long time it felt like I would never be happy. I considered dropping out of college several times and like I wasn't good enough to do what I do now. But because of video games and continuing to pursue them as my goal, things eventually turned out well. I don't hope to deeply inspire a lot of people with this post, but for those who read this and are going through similar things to me, know that there's definitely a chance for things to improve. And if anyone is currently looking to get a job in the game industry, let me know in the comments and ask any questions you may have. I would love to help if I can since I just went through the long process of landing a job. I guess that's all for my introduction. I'll make some more posts soon about gaming, a ton of other interests I have, and things I really think people should check out! But yes, as for this post, don't give up on your aspirations and keep trying. You will get repaid for your efforts, even if it takes a while!

(I also love Star Trek if you couldn't tell from the title)