We’ve always said that hobbies are part of what makes a happy, well-rounded person. One such hobby that we’ve noticed our employees enjoying is gaming. This can be video games, board games, any type of game. Gaming offers a surprising array of benefits for the mind and body that some might not have considered! They can enhance problem-solving and decision-making skills. Immersive gameplay can be a great stress reliever for some. Multiplayer games foster great social interaction and teamwork skills. And there’s even studies that suggest that gaming can improve hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
For all these reasons and more, we’re happy to see so many DiRADians enjoying gaming in their lives and we’re excited to ask them more about this engaging hobby in this month’s Company Spotlight.
What type of games are your favorite? Video games, board games, tabletop RP games, etc.
Max B: While competitive video games, especially one I’ve been playing recently called Deadlock, are my top choice, I still love the challenge of a good, competitive game of Monopoly.
Emma W: I love them all! I get to spend more time with TTRPGs and Video Games. It’s easier to slot those into my week then the occasional big boardgame party. Also love a good card game but it’s harder to find folks to play Pinochle and Cribbage with.
Paul B: For sure video games are my favorite. But video games wouldn’t be where they are in some cases without tabletop RPG’s so they have a place in my heart also.
Kirsten B: I love video and board games! Especially anything Nintendo.
Brooke S: My favorite games are ones that can be played as a group, like Dungeons & Dragons or JackBox.TV or Pictionary.
What about these games interest you? What’s your favorite thing about it?
MB: The competitive aspect of video games and the sense of community they bring really draw me in. It’s the excitement and connection that keep me coming back. On the other hand, I also love winding down with more relaxing games after work. They’re a great way to de-stress while enjoying a captivating story or calming gameplay.
EW: I love how they are play for the brain with no consequences and with set levels of achievement. It’s nice to hang out with friends and play TTRPG make believe even when those games give everyone anxiety and grief. They let you be a participant in a story with very little risk.
PB: You get a chance to get away from everyday life problems and live another one through a character you don’t have to worry about in real life. It gives you a chance to be a hero, or even the bad guy.
KS: I love board/card games you can play with friends/family, but I love the cozy simulation games (Stardew Valley, Pokémon, Disney Dreamlight Valley)
BS: I like the unpredictability of those type of group games. People get creative and it usually leads to a lot of laughter.
How did you get involved/interested in these games?
MB:My love for video games began when my friends and I built our own computers. We started playing together and quickly became hooked on the experience.
EW: From friends. Friends over the years have taught me how to play DND, told me about some of my favorite video games, gone with me to the same nerd camps where we’d play Jedi Knights of the Old Republic and StarCraft. In an age where people feel more isolated these games are a great way to connect with others. One game I’m in (TTRPG) I joined because I started talking with the person sitting next to me at a book event at The Strand. People who play TTRPGs just want to play more TTRPGs.
PB: From a young age I remember when we got our first family gaming console, Super Nintendo and playing Super Mario World with my parents.
KS: Growing up, I was shy and tended to stick to myself. I started playing games as a way to pass the time as an only child. I started playing Pokémon because the card game was extremely popular then.
BS: My siblings and I played a lot of board games and video games growing up.
Do you have a favorite game that you keep going back to and playing?
MB:I don’t have a single go-to game that I constantly return to. I like to switch things up and try new games, though I do occasionally revisit old favorites. There’s just so much variety in gaming that I can’t stick with only one.
EW: The Dragon Age video game series is setup really well to get different things out of the same game depending on what your character background is. Aside from that if you read every single scroll, you can piece together elements of a complete polytheistic mythology that provides greater contextualization for the game’s narrative. It’s an insane amount of extra work that really makes the experience of playing the game richer and more multifaceted.
DND 5e is also a favorite in that it’s easy to pickup.
PB:Currently Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2. It’s a new game, based off a tabletop RPG which is based around space wars set 40,000 years from now.
KS: I will forever continue to go back and play any Pokémon game. If I’m bored on my computer, I’ll grab my controller and play Stardew Valley. SDV is the type of game that never really changes; it’s almost therapeutic.
BS: JackBox.TV, specifically Quiplash, is one of my all time favorites, but Dungeons & Dragons has become a hobby that me and my husband keep coming back to.
What do you wish more people knew about the games you play?
MB:I wish more people knew how enjoyable and relaxing some PC games can be. Not all games are challenging or repetitive—many have rich, engaging storylines that are incredibly captivating.
EW: DND may seem complicated but when in doubt roll a D20. Most people who play don’t know every facet of the rules so it’s not something where you need to memorize the player’s handbook in order to start.
There are also shorter art heavy games or cozy games (Strange Horticulture or Stardew Valley) or historical mystery (The Return of the Obra Dinn) or games with a very angry goose running havoc on small communities (Untitled Goose Game). It’s not just a landscape of Star Wars, fantasy, or lasers – if that’s not what floats your boat.
PB: Most games are for everyone, obviously they have a rating system for age but most games are designed to be played by a wide range of people and different skill sets/difficulties.
KS: Anyone can play them; there are literally no requirements. The games I play are games you can play alone to unwind.
BS: Once you get over the “rules” of any game, there’s a lot of fun and joy to be found. Some people zone out when it’s time to learn the rules (I get it, same), but I encourage others to power through. Especially with games like DnD where it can feel overwhelming.
If someone is curious about playing for the first time, where should they start? Should they play certain beginner games first? Do they need to buy a certain console or game set?
MB: If you’re new to gaming, I’d recommend starting with something simple and fun that aligns with your interests. You don’t need to buy an expensive console right away. There are plenty of beginner-friendly games available on PC, consoles, and even mobile devices. For PC gamers, platforms like Steam offer a wide variety of easy-to-learn games. I’d suggest starting with platformers or story-driven games to get a feel for what you like, and then exploring from there.
EW: If they’re looking to play video games and don’t mind not playing on a console I’d say the best place to start would be getting all your games through the Steam app on an android gaming computer / a computer that can handle graphics, etc. Game companies will release games in the same series over the course of a decade on different consoles and it’s infuriating to play one title game across 3 consoles. Most games aren’t made to work on Mac software and getting your system taken care of and not have to update it all the time means that it’s easier to play beloved games from twenty years ago and the newest releases on the same system. Unless you really want to buy an Xbox, PS4, and PS5 to play one game. Oh, and games that were released ages ago might not be re-released on the newer consoles. It’s a headache. To avoid the headache, start with or stick to Steam on a gaming computer.
For TTRPGs just dive in, there are so many board game cafes or online virtual games that are very easy to join. One of my games is from a folk singing community night Facebook group post asking who would want to play a dnd game based on the collected folks song catalogue called the Child Ballads. If you like robots and lasers or heists (shoutout to Blades in the Dark), or don’t want to do a long campaign and want to start with a short game (any of the games from Powered by the Apocalypse), there’s a game for you and what you’re interested in.
PB: Look on YouTube. There are lots of people who review games online, there are plenty of videos reviewing different consoles and what will work for certain people. It’s not a cheap hobby to get into but it’s worth it.
KS: Find something you like—something that interests you. I grew up playing Gameboy Colors, so I grew up with Nintendo gaming systems. I love the option of being able to bring a console with me regardless of where I go. But test out some games, find something you like, and just do it.
BS: DnDBeyond is a great resource for people new to Dungeons and Dragons. JackBox.TV is something you can immediately jump into with friends. Anyone with a cellphone can immediately start playing!