CAMERON MCKINNEY

Why Games?

The reality we live in is incredible in a way that's difficult to put into words. I strive to experience as much of it as possible throughout my life.

And yet I've always loved immersing myself in video games. I've been talking my friends' ears off about amazing in-game moments as far back as primary school. Over the years, my passion for gaming has only grown.

I've been lucky enough to play games on various consoles and handheld devices growing up. Now, I've shifted to PC gaming and have access to the cutting-edge of immersive gameplay in VR.

Initially, I stuck to easy modes as a story-driven, failure-averse gamer. With the help of friends along the way, I ventured into multiplayer and competitive play. I learnt to find more fun in risk-reward experiences as well. Games taught me the value of learning from failure, and now I enjoy it more than low-risk situations.

A recent example is Valorant, a competitive 5v5 tactical FPS. The game is fast-paced with frequent breaks in the action, punishing the smallest mistakes and requiring constant focus.

When the action intensifies again, it's difficult to stay calm and focused. This often leads to panicked decision-making or rushed gunfights, and ultimately losing the game.

I found this was a particularly difficult hurdle to overcome, on top of learning the rest of the game's demanding mechanics. However, I soon realised that improving and building on my skills was the most satisfying part of the game.

I analysed my gameplay and practiced regularly to integrate new techniques into my skillset and replace bad habits. My rank increased over time, until I faced more skilled opponents and the cycle repeated. Since its release in 2020, and as a new mouse & keyboard user, I climbed from the lowest rank to the top 10% of ranked players. 

Additionally, I shared this process of self-improvement with my teammate (and close friend). We kept each other consistent and felt the highs and lows together; cheering for each other's plays always felt incredible. Plus, there's real adrenaline every time I'm the last player alive with the round outcome in my hands.

This is just one example of how games have created meaningful experiences for myself and the people around me. As such, I believe there's genuine fun and value in carefully designed, thoroughly tested games.

That's why I'm passionate about working in game development. I'm excited to contribute to the robust, scalable systems that make amazing games possible.