Unmuted #004 - Macy Interview

Hey everyone, we’re back with a brand-new issue of Unmuted, and this time we’re chatting with Macy! I came across her through some posts in the Bluesky gaming community and decided to reach out to see if she’d be interested in doing an interview for the series. Lucky for us, she was not only up for it but also delivered a unique and thoughtful conversation.

Macy’s interview is a great example of how games can truly make a difference in someone’s life. One of the most beautiful things about this hobby is the variety of deeply personal experiences it offers, ones that can resonate with people in ways we might not even expect.

Macy shared some fantastic insights, so take your time with this one, I think you’ll really enjoy it.

Tell me a bit about yourself (you can share as little or as much as you want here, like your name, where you’re from, your age and what do you work with).

Hello! My name is Macy but in most gaming circles I go by the gamertag LucyLuck. I’ve worn quite a few hats throughout my life but nowadays I’m largely a social media manager, artist, and small YouTube Partner creating gaming videos for people to sleep, study, and relax to.

You mention creating gaming videos “for people to sleep, study, and relax to.” Could you describe this content more specifically and what inspired you to focus on this particular niche?

Sure! I primarily create ASMR gaming videos, playing “non-traditional” cozy games, like Red Dead Redemption 2 or Baldur’s Gate 3, and I make them cozy. For any readers that may not know what ASMR is, ASMR is short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. ASMR is a relaxing psychological and physical sensation that certain sounds or visuals can bring. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about the niche or what it means to be an ASMR content creator so that’s why I mostly say I create videos to help people relax and sleep. I never want my work to be misunderstood.

For me, the ASMR community on YouTube has been helping me feel more at peace for the better part of 10 years — ASMR in general, for perhaps even longer. I like to compare ASMR to creators from my childhood like Bob Ross; it triggers a deep sense of nostalgia and relaxation for me that has always made me feel safe and supported. My decision to create ASMR was largely to give back to a community that gave me so much. Inspired by Bob Ross, I wanted to dive into something I was passionate about in a way that could bring comfort for others. Now that the niche has become a bit more sexualized though, I find myself wanting to distance from it a bit. I may eventually gravitate to creating less ASMR content while still maintaining a relaxed and cozy atmosphere for viewers. I like to keep an open mind and try not to put myself in too much of a box.

What got you into gaming in the first place? Do you have any memories of the first time you played a game?

I would say my love of gaming blossomed much more as an adult, but I’ve had a fascination with video games for as long as I can remember. Growing up the hobby was heavily discouraged — at least in my own household. As a child of the 90s, there were a lot of misconceptions about video games, namely that they caused violence, promoted laziness, and of course that they were “only for boys”. I was encouraged to pursue other hobbies and focus on my schooling, but when I was at a friend or family member’s house that owned a console all I wanted to do was play video games.

Some of my earliest favorites as a kid were Galaga, Xevious, Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, Driver, Jak II, and Super Mario Sunshine. One of my earliest memories playing video games was probably eating thin crust hamburger pizza from Dominoes at a friend’s house and playing Mortal Kombat. I remember it was his older brother’s game that we were DEFINITELY not allowed to play, so if we heard a parent walking down the hallway we would quickly turn off the tv and pretend we were doing anything else. It was thrilling.

Growing up in the 90s, you faced a lot of misconceptions about gaming. How do you feel those challenges have shaped your perspective on gaming as a medium, and what would you say to young gamers today facing stereotypes?

Good question! I’m not sure if the challenges have shaped my perspective on gaming as a medium per se, but growing up with the notion that “games are only for boys” certainly informs how much I respect and look up to other female gamers, content creators, artists, and developers in the industry. While it’s not an industry that’s easy for anyone to break into, it can be especially tough for someone with the upbringing that games aren’t for them in a largely male-dominated industry.

As for the other challenges, I’d like to think most people no longer believe video games cause violence. If anything, I might be more inclined to agree that video games can promote “laziness”. That being said, I think in our society hell bent on productivity and performance it’s okay that we allow ourselves those moments of enjoyment. I don’t see video games as making people more lazy than binge watching a tv show or even reading a book. It’s an exercise in creativity and I find rest and hobby enjoyment to be incredibly productive.

Now, advice for young gamers: I actually have very little. Love the games that you love with reckless abandon. If anyone makes you feel unworthy, protect your peace and don’t spend your time or energy catering to those people. I know that’s easier said than done, especially when you’re young, but it makes all the difference in the world.

Can you describe your gaming setup? What equipment or accessories do you use, and how do they enhance your gaming experience? What platforms do you play?

Currently, I mostly play on PC but I miss owning a PS5. I’m in a bit of a transitional stage in my life and no longer own a console but there’s nothing cozier to me than booting up the PlayStation and curling up on the couch with a nice open world game. To be honest, I couldn’t tell you what all is going on inside my little PC. I want to be one of those people that knows all the parts, what they do, and how they make things better or worse but everything is looking great and feeling great without issue so I remain blissfully ignorant. I also play games on the Nintendo Switch and my phone.

What are some of your all-time favorite games and/or genres, and why do they stand out to you?

My tastes are a bit all over the place but I’m a massive fan of open world RPGs, action-adventure games, base building/survival games, life sims, and narrative games. Lately I’ve been on a big RPG Maker games kick enjoying indie games like OneShot and Omori as well as interactive film games.

My favorite games tend to shift depending on the day I’m asked but today I’m going to say my favorite games are Alan Wake II, What Remains of Edith Finch, Immortality, Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate 3, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Spiritfarer.

If you could erase one game from your memory to experience it fresh again, which one would it be?

Red Dead Redemption 2. While I’ve enjoyed gaming for many years, this game made me fall even deeper in love with gaming as a medium for creative storytelling. I truly do wish I could experience the game all over again. The Red Dead Online community also quite literally changed my life. That may sound a bit dramatic, but it’s true. When the pandemic hit, I became incredibly ill and ended up bedridden for the better part of two years.

Red Dead gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in an incredible world, feel a sense of achievement and accomplishment, and socialize with people from all over the world that became like family when I was in a challenging place physically and mentally. Although I likely wouldn’t choose to erase any of that from my memory, I do often wish I could go back to those days of late night deep talks and horseback rides with friends. It’s a shame we can’t know what the good old days are when we are actively experiencing them.

How do you balance gaming with other aspects of your life, like work, family, or other hobbies?

Oh I don’t. I have a habit of making the things I’m passionate about my everything. I play and talk about games for a living, and when I’m done with that I play games to unwind. If I don’t feel like playing games, I watch my friends or partner play games. If I feel like pursuing my more creative hobbies like carving, illustrating, zine making, or writing, those are also largely inspired by games. In order to accomplish my more important tasks, I quite literally have to gamify them. I’ve spoken with my therapist about all this and she seems to think it’s fine — so that’s reassuring I suppose.

Do you have a “comfort game” that you always go back to?

I have quite a few! Probably Red Dead Online, Skyrim, No Man’s Sky, Valheim, Fallout 4, and (funny enough) Green Hell. I find the most comforting games for me are open world with a variety of menial tasks and if there’s a building mechanic there goes a LOT of hours of my life. While I tend to gravitate to non-traditional cozy games the most, I do enjoy games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing as well.

Can you share a memorable gaming moment or achievement that you’re particularly proud of?

I’m most proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and starting a YouTube channel for gaming 2 years ago. At the time, I was struggling quite a bit with my health and circumstances wondering how I could put all of my pent up creativity, desire for productivity, and need for connection to work. Thanks to some incredibly supportive gaming friends, I was encouraged to go for it and although I’m still quite a small creator, it has opened up my world in the best of ways. Because of the channel, I’m reminded daily of how much I still have to offer the world despite my condition, the beauty of gaming, and the importance of community.

What do you enjoy most about gaming? Is it the story, the competition, the social aspect, or something else?

There are quite a few things I enjoy and value within the act of gaming itself like creative storytelling, art appreciation, and the feeling of achievement that can come with it all but at the end of the day it’s sharing in the experience that I love the most.

I love sharing gameplay on my channel and reading people’s comments and stories about their love of the games. I love drinking, laughing, and staying up late playing multiplayers with friends. I love gushing about games new and old with someone equally as passionate as me. I love seeing something beautiful in a game and taking a screenshot to be able to share it with others. There can be a lot of divisiveness in the gaming community at times, but there’s also so much heart.

How do you think gaming has changed or influenced you as a person?

Gaming has played a massive role in influencing the person that I am today. As I mentioned at the beginning of this interview, I’ve worn a lot of hats throughout my life. I’ve been a moderately successful gallery artist, award winning and published photographer, self published author and illustrator, and world traveler. I was always hellbent on the next achievement to outdo myself, hoping in some way that it would prove my self worth. While that history may have impressed a few people at the time, when I became sick, bedridden, and disappeared for the better part of 4 years the world moved on and largely didn’t care all that much. It was an incredibly lonely and isolating time and I didn’t know who I was unless I was unfathomably productive, neither did anyone else.

The silver lining in all of that is gaming was there. Gaming helped me to exercise my mind when it was foggy, enjoy creativity and entire worlds when I couldn’t move, feel a sense of accomplishment no matter how small, and make so many new and amazing connections with people that genuinely care. Because of gaming, I’m less driven to prove my self worth but more driven to foster meaningful connections. I’m less driven to achieve the next biggest thing, but more driven to share in beautiful experiences. There aren’t enough words in the English language to express my gratitude for games and the person they’ve made me today.

Do you have any gaming rituals or habits that you follow before or during a gaming session?

I do enjoy a glass of red wine with my games and depending on the game I love having my game journal on hand. I like the idea of “romanticizing” my gaming experiences by taking notes, sketching, writing down the things I found inspiring, and/or journaling. For instance for a game like Elden Ring I would take notes on interesting items with lore information while keeping track of the bosses I’ve beaten. More recently I played Outer Wilds where I did more sketching, some creative writing from the perspective of the main character, and note taking on theories.

The game journal sounds fascinating! How does taking notes, sketching, or writing creatively while playing change your engagement with the game compared to just playing? Does it help you feel more immersed or appreciate details more?

Absolutely! It started as taking notes on my phone, which is completely necessary for me with certain games. I would especially find myself taking more notes for base building games where I needed to keep track of materials to unlock certain blueprints.

When I played my first souls-like, Elden Ring, it evolved into needing to keep track of the quest lines, lore, and boss fights. I remember watching a stream of William Papadin’s, or Noble Knight Adventures, and noticed he kept a journal to take note of those things and I loved the idea so much I started doing it as well.

I now find that it makes the experience much more intimate and immersive. You no longer feel like you’re just playing a game but you’re an active adventurer in it. It was especially fun to get creative with journaling around Outer Wilds, which is a game perfect for immersing oneself as a curious explorer. I can’t recommend a game journal enough for anyone who craves a more creative and immersive experience with gaming.

How do you choose which games to play next? Do you have a specific genre or criteria you look for?

I gravitate to quite a few different genres so it all depends on the mood I’m in. To be honest, I likely have a game in my backlog for every possible one of those moods so I’ve been trying to tackle those (quite poorly, I’m constantly distracted by new releases). Chances are if I hear about a game with an in-depth character creator, creative art style, non-linear narrative, or base building mechanics it’ll be on the steam wishlist instantly.

Do you prefer single-player or multiplayer games, and why?

Both! I value my alone time playing artful, narrative rich games as much as I value beating the heck out of my friends in a game like For Honor. It all depends on the day! My favorite games tend to be single player with some form of multiplayer mode.

What role does nostalgia play in your gaming preferences? Are there any older games you still love to revisit?

I honestly haven’t played many of my favorite childhood games as an adult. As a pre-teen, I remember loving this game I played on the Nintendo DS called Trace Memory which was recently remade for the Nintendo Switch now called Another Code: Recollection. Playing that recently, it didn’t feel half as magical as it did when I was a kid so that sort of left a bad taste in my mouth for revisiting childhood favorites. I do however enjoy putting on long let’s play videos of nostalgic games for background ambiance while I’m doing other things.

If you could preserve one game for future generations to understand gaming culture, which would you choose and why?

That’s a great but incredibly difficult question. Gaming culture can mean so many different things to different people and it’s difficult to choose just one game that could encapsulate all of those things. I’m afraid I may not have an answer for you.

For one person gaming culture could be about sport, competition, and glory while for another it could be about art, community, and storytelling. That would be like picking one song to sum up music culture or one movie to sum up film culture.

Are there any upcoming games or releases that you’re particularly excited about?

This year alone has had SO many new releases I’m trying to play and keep up with. I’m still trying to finish Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and get to inZOI and Avowed but I’m greatly looking forward to the release of South of Midnight, Fable, The Midnight Walk, Elden Ring Nightrein (Note: This might refer to the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC), and GTA 6.

Have you ever made real-life friendships or connections through gaming?

Oh absolutely, I would say the majority of my close friendships have been made through gaming. There’s something distinctly powerful and intimate about forming friendships through gaming. While anonymity can bring out the worst in some people, it can also highlight the very best in people and allow one to be more vulnerable and authentically themselves. That paired with the bond of sharing a fun or creative experience together, makes for a great recipe for friendship.

Do you think gaming will look completely different in 10 years? How so?

I’m certain of it, for better and for worse I’m sure. Given how advanced graphics have gotten for console, PC, and even handheld/mobile gaming I can’t imagine games themselves looking much better. With some games in the works looking nearly indistinguishable from reality, I imagine the majority of the technical progress we will see will be in virtual reality and augmented reality gaming. I also believe given job instability within the games industry right now, we will be seeing a massive increase in indie game releases. I hope as a result of this we will see a lot more creativity. I imagine we will also be seeing a lot more AI.

Yeah, AI is a big topic in the gaming industry now - what aspects of AI in gaming concern you most, and do you see any positive potential?

I was a bit worried you’d ask me that haha. I knew I had to bring up AI though because you can’t skirt around the idea that it’s going to become a big part of regular media we consume for the foreseeable future. My main concern when it comes to AI in the gaming industry is how tempting it’ll be for larger companies to cut costs by hiring less creative talent in favor of the technology. There is already an existing lack of job security for creatives in the industry, and this could potentially make that much worse. I know there are also harmful environmental factors to consider as well, not to mention a consistent issue we see with artists’ works being too heavily referenced infringing on their intellectual property.

With that being said, I do consider myself to be a more AI-positive person, especially for someone with a degree in Fine Art. I believe in the importance of technical progress and that there can be ethical ways to utilize AI technology. My thoughts on this could likely consume an entire separate interview though so I’ll do my best to keep it short. Bottom line is, I think it’s important that people remain cautious when it comes to AI, but I also believe that outright fear can do quite a bit of harm as well.

Macy’s interview was unique, proving the impact that games can have, moving beyond simple entertainment to become a source of community, creativity, and personal healing. As she eloquently put it, there aren’t enough words to express her gratitude for games and the person they’ve helped her become. Thank you, Macy, for sharing your thoughtful perspective and experiences with us.

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