Video games offer more than just grand adventures; they’re filled with tiny joys. During “Optimism Week,” we celebrate these special moments.
Ragdoll Mayhem
When there’s a bug that makes all the ragdoll bodies in an area do a little jump:
“I was playing a pre-release demo where enemy bodies briefly hopped and crumpled. It’re like when you’re on a plane, except everyone’s a battle droid.” – Chris
Toilet Toss
Tossing a toilet at an enemy in Control:
“Control is one of my favorite games. Remedy didn’t make it easy to get a toilet, but if you destroy the wall around it, you can pick it up and lob it at a foe.” – Lottie
In-Game Toilet Breaks
“Having some quiet time on the toilet is one of them. Bonus points if you can interact with toilet roll or flush.” – Kelsey
Weapon Flair
“Who wants a Longsword +1 when you can have Blade of Serrated Nightmares? Better yet, what about a backstory?” – Bertie
Food Glamour Shots
“You know what I mean. Browsing the menu, then seeing a steaming plate of incredible food. Your mouth waters as your characters are restored to full health.” – Dom
Combo Perfection
Landing that combo you’ve practiced for ages in a real match:
“Spending hours labbing out a tricky combo can be hard, but seeing yourself pull it off is a rush. It’s like if doing homework resulted in fireworks.” – Connor
Quake Announcer Adulation
The Quake announcer’s adulation:
“Unreal might have this too, but the cinema-trailer-voiced announcer in Quake is memorable. ‘Impressive’ after hitting two railgun shots. Or, if on a rampage, ‘Humiliation.'” – Bertie
Unspoken Teamwork
When you’re playing an online multiplayer game, there are moments of pure magic where the team pulls together and somehow knows what the plan is, without saying a single spoken word.
“That moment where everyone is on the same page and it just works.” – Marie
Gun with a Torch
How often do you actually need to use the torch on a gun? I’ll tell you: not often at all. Fun to switch it on and off though.
“Love when that happens.” – Chris
Level-Up ‘Dings’
They are like the church bells of video gaming success. “I still remember hitting level 60 for the first time.” – Bertie
‘Dings’ of the Powerwashing Kind
“I get such a Pavlovian thrill whenever I finish hosing something to a sheen in PowerWash Simulator, I find myself actively, giddily anticipating that glorious cash-register ‘ding’.” – Matt
Using Much More Powerful Attacks Than Is Necessary
Sometimes it really is as simple as a power fantasy. “Specifically the fantasy that I have so much power that I can annihilate you, filthy Gretchin, with the full force of an Orbital Bombardment.” – Chris
Cut-Scenes Where It Lets You Wiggle The Camera
“If you, a video game, are going to insist I endure another ponderous cut-scene, pretty much all will be forgiven if you do that thing where wiggling the control stick slightly jiggles the camera around.” – Matt
Critical Hits
“I don’t remember my first encounter with a critical hit. But that moment when a normal damage number balloons: I can’ve enough of it.” – Bertie
The Smell of the Inside of a New Game Box
“Surely I can’t be the only one who opened up the case of Summoner 2 and gave it a nasty ol’ huff?” – Dom
Being Prompted to Follow an NPC, and Being Able to Run Past Them
“If there’s one thing I yearn for, it’s freedom. So, being made to walk behind a painfully slow NPC makes me rattle at my cage.” – Kelsey
When FromSoftware Hides an Enemy Behind a Door
“I’m wise to its trolling. Yet somehow it still manages to get me with the enemy-behind-the-door trick and I still find it hilarious, ragdolling into oblivion.” – Matt
Interviewing Someone Really Smart (But Not the Transcribing or Writing)
“An hour-long conversation with a genius is invigorating. Until you hear your own horrible voice and mumbled questions played back to you.” – Chris
Nintendo Switch Game Card Taste
“Look, I only give it a little lick. I’m fine.” – Lottie
Impossible Spaces
“I want the sneaky ones; the subtle shifts some games do when your back is turned. It’s why I love Layers of Fear: rooms looping in on themselves.” – Matt
Excitement
“Remember when Silksong came out last year and parts of the internet broke? Remember a trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 airing for the first time?” – Bertie
Helping a Confused Stranger with a Problem, and Visa Versa
“Have you ever been exploring a multiplayer game and found yourself totally lost? I have, and I’ve met plenty of people in the same spot.” – Connor
Healing Other People
“I like to help.” – Bertie
Getting an Outfit Just Right
“Mixing and matching different bits of clothing or armour, slapping on a new colour scheme that compliments the look, is a fantastic feeling.” – Connor
Analogue Movement
“It’s been in games for years but it always amazes me. To me, it never gets old.” – Bertie
The Audible Click After Building Lego
“The subtle small clicks that lead up to the larger ‘this object is finished’ click when you’re building something never fails to itch a specific part of my brain.” – Marie
Excitement (Part 2)
“Remember when Sony had that legendary E3 conference and announced a Final Fantasy 7 remake and Shenmue 3?” – Bertie
When the Game’s Title Pops Up Halfway Through the Opening Mission
“It gets me every time. It’s off-the-chart excitement.” – Bertie
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