How More! Magazine made me look a twat

“Why do men love computer games?” was the question More pitted against me – Dom Sacco – earlier this month.

A 30-minute interview soon became: “Games help Dominic Sacco escape from the boring stuff in his life and his girlfriend.”

Here’s what else they had to say about me – and what I thought of this week’s article…

When I was asked to answer a bunch of gaming questions for a women’s magazine, I quickly agreed. This was my chance to prove to females all over the UK why games are great – and to defend their boyfriends.

I picked up the magazine this morning and assumed the interview would be a page lead all about why we play games and what their appeal is. Oh no.

What we got was a little column with my face next to it… all about how I prefer games to my girlfriend.

Shit.

The next thing you know she’s gone into a female fit, her sister’s calling her about the bad news and it wouldn’t be long before the rest of her family start sending me death threats through the post.

I had some explaining to do. I know what Emily Murray, senior features writer had done – because I used to do it myself. She picked out the “best bits” of my interview and strung quotes together, to make me sound how she wanted me to sound.

My girlfriend took out her excess anger over a game of Wii boxing (those punches made me never want to piss her off again) and I had some arsenal for a new blog post…

What they wanted me to say

1. “I prefer games to books or films because I control what happens. Also, they’re an escape from the boring stuff in my life and my girlfriend.”

Makes me sound like: A control freak with a boring relationship. Thanks!

What I really said: “The appeal to play games stems from the fact that you can change a game’s outcome. It’s not like a book or film where you have to follow a set path. A lot of gamers play them for escapism – it gives them the chance to leave their job, their relationship, their boring life or other issues at the door for a few hours.”

2. “She’s lovely, but in the same way she gets her kicks from shopping, I get mine from gaming.”

Makes me sound like: Games are better than girlfriends, and shopping is her favourite hobby.

What I really said: “To some girls shopping is their way of letting their hair down and making them feel great deep down. That’s a similar feeling to what gamers get when they complete a new section of a game. It’s fun, it’s relaxing and it makes you feel good.”

And the term, “Gets her kicks…” I don’t say that.

3. “I have to have the newest games as soon as they’re out, plus I need to keep up with my mates.”

Makes me sound like: A needy nobhead who copies his friends. If anything my friends have to keep up with me when it comes to games!

What I really said: “New games are like new chapters in a book – you want to have that new experience and find out what happens next.”

4. “My girlfriend just wishes I’d give it all up. When I met her at uni I didn’t let on how into gaming I was. When she found out, she saw the computer as her rival. She’s used to it now, though. She doesn’t really have a choice anyway.”

Makes me sound like: A deceitful, possessive twat.

What I really said: “If my girlfriend had it her way she’d probably ask me to quit gaming, but she doesn’t mind that side of me because she says it makes me who I am.

When I met her at university she already knew I loved games, but when I got GTA 4 she sort of saw that as a rival! But she’s accepted my games as time has passed.”

5. “You’re not going to change a computer mad man, so best not to even try. If you really can’t stand it, it might be time to move on…

Makes me sound like: I want to dump my girlfriend so I can play more games.

What I really said: “I will always like playing games and my girlfriend won’t be able to change that, but I say ‘everything in moderation’. I don’t play games too much, I don’t see my girlfriend every minute of the day – that’s how it should be!”

Well that’s sorted. Now have a laugh at this “quote” from a female victim of video games who spoke to More:

“Last week my man smashed three glasses after playing overenthusiastic tennis on his Wii. To look at him you’d have thought he was in the Wimbledon final.

“Luckily, he beat me. Otherwise he wouldn’t have spoken to me again for the rest of my life.”

I can’t read that last sentence back without laughing. I can guarantee you no man on this Earth would stop talking to his girlfriend if he lost a game of Wii Tennis.

I bet my Wiimote on it.

Have you had any weird gaming/relationship experiences?

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