BY: TJ MAIDEN

With new fatherhood comes great responsibility - and a lot less time to devote to hardcore gaming. TJ Maiden laments his passing into the "casual gamer" category, and offers a glimpse of what's to come when Baby trumps XBox.

I am a new dad.

My son, Jonas Malcolm Maiden, was born just four months ago.

I am an old gamer.

My game the "Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass" was beat just four weeks ago.

That is essentially the last time I've played a video game. I don't want to say my interest in gaming has waned, but more that my interest for extensive gaming has. I haven't found a balance between watching a baby and making time to play "Orange Box," unless it's playing with an orange box. When I do have time to play, it's in short bursts within a set time frame - 'only this level', 'just 30 minutes'.

Is this just a byproduct of "growing up"? If so, all I can say is "ugh".

I do want to point out that I'm not complaining about having a baby, as he is awesome, but it is almost impossible to make any comment about being a gaming father without sounding like a complete tool. There just isn't that balance yet. I played five minutes of "Mario Galaxy" and that was enough to sate my hunger; last year I would've called in sick to play it all day.

Then I think about the other end of the spectrum, and I know new dads who put their baby in the crib crying, or stick the baby with mom because they have to play "Halo 3" with their friends, or there's an important instance in WOW. I don't know. I just can't devote that kind of hardcore gaming to a franchise anymore. I feel like I have to turn over my gold trophy and pick up the 'participant' ribbon they pass out to casual gamers.

Now, now, don't fret none about ol' TJ, I'll be lurking around (XBox)live here and there. Think about this when you stop spending as much time collecting your golden skulls. Remember this when you stop doing all of the side-quests. Hold on to these words as you find yourself spending $100 on diapers and formula  instead of a new game, and you don't mind. Just remember this glimpse from the future.

TJ MAIDEN is the rockin' assistant manager at Bookmans Mesa. He is a Grade-A coffee fiend, and utilizes that surge of energy for his multitude of projects: band, webcomic, writing, game design, baby... (on and on and so forth).