The video game personality and host discusses her book The Holder's Dominion.
What was the most challenging thing in putting the book together, you think?
Genese: Creating the details and intricacies for a next-gen MMO on my own definitely had its challenges. This book’s overarching concept and details within the story were composed to relate to the experience of a large and well-defined gaming community. The Holder’s Dominion is an epic journey that will bring validation to gamers while intriguing them with speculative technology and a new world to adventure.
Yet, I had to make the entire book an easy read for anyone who has never before touched an online game, while inventing features for Edannair that set it apart from real, existing MMOs. This way, avid MMO gamers could experience something new and exciting. The new vocabulary, species, zones, and AI abilities in this speculative world of Edannair authentically portray scenarios in online games like raiding and guild relationships, showcasing what gamer’s have experienced, with some twists thrown in to boot!
Tell us more about "The Gamer In You" movement, and what drove you to start it.
Genese: The Gamer In You is an online movement I founded with one goal: to offer new meaning to the word ‘gamer.’ No matter our passions: family, career, sports, meeting new people, traveling, puzzles, artistry… We all like to relax and play a game once in a while. Between card games, video games, board games, mobile games, and edutainment games, all of us can call ourselves gamers.
I did not venture into more serious gaming until my adult life, and I’m proof that you do not have to grow up around video games to find the gamer within. The Gamer In You advocates for changing the term gamer to represent all people who like any kind of game, and for the word to be a universally positive term for everyone. No one should ever be ribbed for playing video games, as gaming encourages ingenuity, fun, togetherness, personal growth, and healthy social connections.
Do you think some people take gaming a bit too seriously? Maybe should loosen up a bit? Or do you think that's part of what drives them?
Genese: I think people will always have different ways of expressing their passions. For example, gamers who devote a great deal of time mastering each video game, and players who are eSport competitors, will naturally want a way to signify that effort. Which is absolutely understandable. Competitive players of any sport make the game look easy, almost simplistic. However, it is always much more complicated than the spectator might think.
The same logic applies to serious gaming. There are a lot of details that go into video game strategies that often get overlooked. It is not simply a set of pixels gamers are staring at when they play games. It’s actually a whole spectrum of invention and discovery. Players are discovering artwork and storylines, while also developing skill sets and tackling challenges.
New gamers or casual gamers may not always be able to understand or relate to the level of dedication that veteran or more hardcore gamers have. And the latter type of player may become defensive and want to protect what gaming and the term gamer means to them.
Thankfully, our culture as a whole is becoming more and more knowledgeable about the video game industry, and the benefits video games provide. As we debunk stereotypes, our friends and loved ones will not only be able to distinguish how much talent and ingenuity exist in gaming, but they will also be able to celebrate the artistry and positive impact video games have, and recognize the gamers who have been founding contributors to today’s gaming culture.
We see that reception for The Holder's Dominion has been really strong. Have you been overwhelmed at all, or just plain excited? (And I'm not just talking about meeting me. :D)
Genese: Seeing this book come to life and witnessing its story shape video game perceptions is truly exciting. I’ve been so fortunate to meet fellow video game enthusiasts like you, Robert, as well as fellow writers and filmmakers. When we filmed the movie teaser for Holder’s Dominion, the art of filmmaking became even more wondrous. Check out the really unique vision directors Brian Horn and Eric Kieron Davis had for the film here:
The Holder’s Dominion Movie Teaser
As a writer and a video game industry speaker, my passion is to share with others what I’ve learned in both industries. The arts open an array of new opportunities for everyone, and can bridge the gap between circles of friends who may not understand one another. It’s important to share how collaborative video games like MMOs can help people build confidence, solve problems, create strategies, and become better leaders.
