Tombstones: Laying the Final Vestiges of My Adolescence to Rest

In preparation for Law School, last night I finally kicked one of my childhood vices goodbye: computer games. Most went to the goodwill; one went to a good friend. In facing the intensity of upcoming law school, I didn't need to have an easily accessible distraction. And in all honesty, in the past year or so, I realized I just don't come away better for having spent time with them... and that took the fun out of it.

So I have my model railroad layout, fly fishing, my guitar and now, due to mostly Elysa, golf. I think once she realizes how expensive golf will be for the two of us, she'll wonder (quietly to herself, of course) if the computer games weren't more cost effective!

So, in summary, here lies the final vestiges of my adolescence, to rest in peace (until we have children, of course and then out come the Legos, Transformers and MicroMachines again!).

Sim City 4

Sim City was a classic. It was one of the first computer games I owned. It is now in it's fourth version, which allowed you to become City Planner, Mayor and City Treasurer. I think I owned 3 of the 4 versions through the years. Unlike most youth, however, I could never bring myself to unleash the tornado or the earthquake or the UFOs to reign destruction on my city. How could I let the computer destroy all of my hard work and ruin the lives of my millions of sim citizens?!?

Civilization IV
Civilization was the ultimate Chess game where you were the ruler of an entire civilization trying to rise above the fray for world domination. As the game progressed, you discovered new technologies in science and had to scramble for natural resources that could make or brake your civilization. You could win through war (which turned out to be difficult because you had to deal with rebellions in your conquered cities and war opposition at home), technological superiority, diplomacy and, finally, cultural domination (by a combination of having a massive trade export surplus, the happiness and health of your people, religious influence, and the accumulating contributions your society had made to the world). Each nation had difference strengths and weaknesses which made it all the more challenging.

Rise of Nations

This game was similar to Civilizations, except that instead of a chess-board like play, this was done "real-time." It was fun to watch the little units clash and fight in the style/age they were centered in. For example, the redcoats during he 1700s would march in a line and then fire, while Native Americans of the same period would use more guerrilla warfare tactics. Overall, you were basically the Generalissimo of a people and you had to use various combat tactics to defeat your opponents army.

Railroad Tycoon 3

This was the best of two worlds for me: Business and Trains! You got to be the money grubbing Railroad baron that drove competitors out of business with dirty-handed tactics like hostile takeovers and proxy wars while building a railroading empire that would span the continent.