Robert's Story

The story of Robert Tot, who didn't have a game console

Robert was 20 years old, and he knew for sure: he loved video games.  And not only that, he also loved going into Coolzino online . And not just ‘playing’ them, but living in them. Being a knight, a racer, a hero in pixels. But there was one problem — he didn't have a game console.

His house had an old TV, a creaky sofa, and books, lots of books. His parents tried their best, but they couldn't afford a console like Sega or PlayStation. They said:

‘You'd better read, Robert, games are not serious.’

But Pasha lived in the neighbouring building, and he had a Sega Mega Drive and a whole box of cartridges. Mortal Kombat, Sonic, even some kind of football game where all the players looked like colourful Lego men.
? ‘Can I sit here?’

Every day after school, Robert would go to Pasha's window and knock, as usual:

‘Can I sit down? I'll just watch.’

Pasha sometimes invited him in, sometimes not. But when he did, it was a real treat for Robert. He sat next to him, silently, sometimes giving hints, and sometimes, if Pasha went to drink tea, letting him play himself.

Those 15 minutes were like a little miracle. He remembered every detail: how the joystick reacted, how his finger trembled when he had to defeat the boss, how the music sounded in the background.
? New Year

On New Year's Eve, Robert wrote a letter to Father Christmas:

‘I'm not asking for a real console. Can you just make sure Pasha calls me more often?’

He hid the letter under his pillow. And then he forgot about it.

But in January, Pasha suddenly said:

    ‘Listen, let's say you come over every day. You're a great player. It's more fun together.’

Robert didn't know if it was magic or just friendship. But from then on, he really did play every day.
?️ Many years have passed...

Now Robert is a game designer. He creates his own games. He has several consoles at home, a gaming chair, a collection of retro cartridges, and even an old Sega Mega Drive he bought at a flea market.

But most importantly, in every game he makes, he inserts a little Easter egg: a window with the words

‘Can I sit here?’ — in memory of those days.

And every time he starts a new project, he remembers not the console, not the graphics, not the bugs — but that knock on the window and 15 minutes of true happiness.