PSN Community Spotlight – Love For My Son and Cars

It’s almost like this ‘Saturday’ thing happens every week. That means it’s time for the PSN Community Spotlight. For the unfamiliar, this is where PlayStation gamers tell their unique stories/experiences/thoughts, as submitted to this section in the PlayStation Community Forums. Those that make it all the way to the PlayStation Blog will receive a $50 PlayStation Store voucher.

Last week we asked about your favorite PlayStation franchises, and gamer Cobrarc13 wrote in to tell us about how he grew to love PlayStation exclusives Gran Turismo 5 and LittleBigPlanet.

Love for my Son and Cars

Ever since I was a kid I was into cars. At 13 years old, my dad was already teaching me how to drive a car and even an 18-wheeler! Needless to say, I picked it up quickly. I would practice every time I had a chance, and I couldn’t wait to get my license. After I got it, I couldn’t stop driving everywhere. At 17, I was already a father to a boy I couldn’t see because his mom left with someone else. However, when I turned 20, things were starting to look up — I got an 03 Ford SVT Cobra. This meant I was finally able to see my boy for the first time in 3 years and I got to visit him regularly. Fast forward 4 years to today — I now can’t drive for health reasons nor visit my son who lives with his mom, although he still visits me every now and then. That’s how I found my love for Gran Turismo 5 and Little Big Planet.

I never thought I’d drive again when I stopped going out. My passion for driving was fading. But with the release of Gran Turismo 5 that passion was reignited. With GT5, I get to race cars, which I loved to do. I used to go to the California Speedway and race my car. Playing GT5 is the second best thing to the real thing. This is the best racing simulation game I’ve ever played. Every time I play is like I’m out there driving again. It feels great to listen the car’s engine roar and to shift gears just like I used to do with my 03 SVT Cobra. I love racing in London and Special Stage Route 5 because it reminds me of when I used to drive in the city and on the freeway. So now, whenever I feel like driving, I just pop in the disc and get racing.

Now that my son gets to visit me, I had to find a way to bond with him. We play basketball or soccer outside the house and race remote controlled cars, but nothing comes close to playing Little Big Planet with him. We always have a blast going on all these adventures in the game. He likes dressing up his Sackboy and picking fights with my Sackboy — hitting me and running away so I won’t get him back. We laugh and laugh and just enjoy messing around. It’s such a great feeling when we finally get to pass a level, and it’s even more fun when my little cousin, who’s just a couple of years older than my son, plays with us. Playing Little Big Planet is the best time I could have with my son.

I’m glad that Sony and PlayStation 3 have these exclusive games to help me relive my driving days and to bond with my son. It’s the best thing that could’ve happened to me under the circumstances. Until the day I get to drive again and go out and have real adventures with my son, these games will continue to be a great alternative. Thanks for making all of this possible.

Thanks for writing in Cobrarc13! We’re happy to hear that you can enjoy driving again and that you and your son have more bonding time now.

Next week we want to hear general stories about the PlayStation brand. Click here to check out more info on this call to action.