The introduction I chose to use was my fourth attempt.  I feel it strikes the best balance between introducing a piece about video games and discussing a widely relatable topic. A couple of my other introductions struck me as being too ‘videogamey’ with their content and tone and I felt they could prove alienating. The others inhabit the two extremes associated with drinking and as such I though they were too brash to work as convincing introductions once I had finished the piece.

There are occasions where I find myself in need of cleansing; times where my palate has become furred by serious games.  Times where everything I play is a serious game telling a serious story in a serious way. Times where I become tired of failing over and over again because I aren’t serious enough about studying enemy patterns. Right, then left, then left again. Top of the stairs coming down, then down and to the left; there are times when I feel like Max Payne holding a sniper rifle. Just like the haggard ex-lawman I turn to drinking to solve such problems. 

There are occasions where I find myself in need of cleansing. When video game escapism is just not powerful enough; where the rules themselves far outweigh the joys of adhering to them and enjoyment is sorely lacking. These moments don’t come to me that often but when they do I like nothing better than to grab a whole load of alcohol and play games in a way befitting for a drunkard.  

There are occasions where I find myself in need of cleansing. My mind and body need to be purged of almost everything for things to begin a new. These situations lead me, for better or worse, to periods of heavy drinking. Now this is not the drinking that is shared through photos and memories of uncontrolled adulation. No, I am referring to the solitary brand of inebriation; the serious drinker. The lone figure silhouetted against the mid morning sky, bottle grasping one hand, cigarette smoke yellowing the other. The drinking that far outstays its welcome and affects an individual deeply. The drinker confined to the ghetto of their chosen haunt, protected from the outside by ever increasing volumes of detritus. The shame of escape.

There are occasions where I find myself in need of cleansing. When sitting down and playing a video game is simply not rewarding enough in isolation. During these times of such pressing un-fulfilment I find myself stopping off at a local convenience store for liquid supplies. Beers are a must; ideally the widely available Polish tinned lagers, which need to be purchased in large enough quantities to ensure repeat trips are unnecessary. Wine is often a good palate cleanser; I ensure at least one bottle of sparkling (white or rose) and a good Italian red are both present at any given time. I bolster the ranks with a selection of ciders, while scotch and gin are always waiting in the wings as an impromptu diversion.