takunomi

Once I was well into university, I started to understand exactly how I enjoyed games. That they occupied such a big part of what I liked, that they influenced what I listened to (chiptunes), and that they steered me towards what I wanted to study (games in Japan).

In recent years, I think a lot of people might have felt the same, because so many aspects of games have become far more social: Game James are half part workshops and half part festivals. Streaming of course, is really a thing now. Even Mario has 4-player co-op now‎, although it's still pretty fun to pass the controller around as people die.

Takunomi means 'home party'‎ in Japanese, and to me, those are the best. I never want to leave if I'm at a warm up party. At home we can decide the music, drink our own stuff, and hear each other. And we can play games.

Takunomi expresses what I like about games. They are personal, they are fun, they require skill, they have a rich history and expect people to participate in it. At a takunomi-party (at least from my perspective) you can sit around, chat, drink beer and play games. Not just party games though, although as the image above says, some games are just destined to be played in multiplayer, while drinking. The history of games, what made them good, and what I still like about them, are often designed as solitary experiences, but understanding that I want to share this, I think it's okay to sit around and take turns at Hotline Miami or spend an entire evening talking Metal Gear Solid.

A Takunomi Recipe

Here's a fun thing to do: (1) Have all guests bring a bottle of alcohol and a bottle of juice or carbonated drink. Clear liquids only: Gin, vodka, etc. (2) Pour it all into a big pot. A fortunate mix will take on a sort of fun, orange-y color. (3) Play New Super Mario Bros. Everytime someone dies, they have to drink a ladle ful from the pot.