I’ve been playing lots of video games recently. And in them, I sometimes see more of a connection to life than in movies. Movies start and end in a couple hours. In video games, you walk around, talking to who you want to, in some — making choices about what to do and say.
Although I’ve been playing in alien worlds, it makes me wonder what it would be like for Boise to be a video game.
The game’s tutorial would start with how to merge from the connector onto Interstate-84. (Why are there two lanes going to Nampa, two lanes going towards Mountain Home and then another lane going to Nampa?)
Next, it would show how to refuel when your avatar is hungry — stopping by places like Fork, Boise Fry Company, or Chandler’s if you have enough in-game credits.
Speaking of in-game credits, they’re easy to earn. Simply guide your player to their job (carefully, these in-game commutes can really drain happiness points) and profit!
It would have to be a role-playing game, where you make your own choices. You gain experience points from things like hiking in the foothills or sledding down Simplot Hill to level up. The reward for leveling up? Unlocking new abilities like skipping the line at Stella’s during the summer or an improved ability to catch when you stop by Hannah’s.
Eventually you get a single-family home in the North End if you get to level 50. But be warned — it’s pretty hard to do.
If you want, you can play in "inversion mode." But be careful! Each time the clouds cover up the sky and pollution hangs low, your Boisean’s avatar loses happiness points.
If there were any quests, they would be to survive driving on Eagle Road or to spend less than $300 at one of the Treasure Valley Costcos. A side quest would take you to the Boise Farmer’s Market to find the absolute best shallots from one of the vendors and get in line for bread or grilling cheese before it all runs out.
Another side quest brings the player up to Bogus Basin to try and find the trolls.
Of course, what’s a video game without a boss fight? I’m not sure we have too many villains here. Perhaps the player is forced to play a tetris-like final challenge to win: Making your way out of a parking garage downtown after a Steelheads game.
Either way, Boise is an adventure for all of us.
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County. Contact her at 208-465-8107 or ckomatsoulis@idahopress.com and follow her on Twitter @CKomatsoulis.
