It’s 2008, and Call of Duty: World at War just released. Arguably my favourite game of my younger years, not because of the graphics, the main storyline, or the quintessentially Call of Duty multiplayer – it was Zombies that hooked me.
Zombies was an offshoot game mode, originally hidden as an Easter egg unlocked after completing the game, and involved surviving unending hordes of zombies across rounds. I spent many, many, hours playing to try and best my round score, and coming up with mini-games with my friends to keep the magic alive, and map after map release – I was hungry for so much more. “I can do this, I have hundreds of ideas”, so I whipped out my Surface 2 tablet and began researching careers.
They were looking for interns! Without hesitation (and much planning) I applied, and they were thrilled enough to call my home landline. Mum beat me to the phone, and a grey cloud of doubt loomed over me. As I was handed the phone, and knew who was on the other end, I was waiting for that gut-reaching: “Sorry, you’re not what we’re looking for”. But no, it was to offer me a position, they liked me. Why didn’t I take it?
Well, avid amongst you will remember I was 15 at the time, and the position required travelling to Santa Monica, California. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t afford to travel halfway across the world with an unfinished education.
Heart-crushingly, after being told my curiosity and tenacity was exactly what they’re looking for, I had to decline. I still think about this phone-call 15 years later, more-so today than ever.
