Git Gud

by Serina

Press F to Pay Respects

Hearth's Warming Eve was just around the corner in Ponyville, and Cream Heart was determined to find the perfect gift for her gaming enthusiast foal, Button Mash.

Cream Heart had decided to surprise Button with the latest and greatest game he had been raving about for weeks. Little did she know, navigating the world of gaming had become increasingly complex. Cream Hearts, a passionate gamer since her filly days, was known for her love of games as well. In an era where 8-bit graphics and simple controls were the norm, Cream Hearts had honed her skills on platforms like the PonyStation and the MareBox. Games that she fondly remembered were now referred to as "vintage," and she found herself in a world where new generations of gamers had embraced a whole new set of icons and heroes.

The landscape of gaming had evolved into a complex and multifaceted realm that was light-years away from the simplicity of her early gaming experiences. As her son had delved into the modern gaming world, Cream Hearts was met with a barrage of high-definition graphics, immersive virtual reality experiences, and a plethora of gaming genres she hadn't even heard of before. Gone were the days of blowing into cartridges and jiggling controllers to make them work; now, everything was digital, with massive updates, downloadable content, and online multiplayer modes dominating the scene.

One frosty afternoon, Cream Heart trotted into the bustling GameStallion store in Ponyville. The walls were lined with colorful game boxes, and the sound of excited chatter filled the air. Cream Heart took a deep breath and approached the counter, where a friendly cashier, a fellow Earth pony, awaited.

"Welcome to GameStallion! How can I help you today?" the cashier greeted with a smile.

Cream Heart returned the smile, "Oh, thank you! I'm looking for a special game for my son, Button Mash. He's really into these types of things, you know."

The cashier nodded. "Sure thing! We have a wide selection. Any particular console in mind?"

Cream Heart blinked. "Console? Oh dear, I'm not quite sure. Button mentioned something about something for the Xbuck?”

The cashier chuckled. "No worries! We have Xbuck One, Xbuck Series X, and Xbuck Series S, as well as Playtrot and Haystation. Do you know which one your son prefers?"

Cream Heart scratched her head, looking perplexed. "There’s more than one?! I'm not quite sure. What's the difference?"

As she pondered over the various options, a group of ponies nearby couldn't help but overhear her dilemma. A few of them exchanged amused glances, and a light giggle escaped their lips. Cream Heart's confusion seemed to entertain the onlookers, and the atmosphere around her became a subtle mixture of amusement and curiosity.

Cream Heart, feeling a bit self-conscious, shot a stern "stare" at the giggling ponies. Her gaze could rival even the renowned Fluttershy's when it came to conveying a mixture of disapproval and determination. The ponies, realizing they had drawn attention, tried to stifle their laughter, but a few snickers still managed to escape.

Undeterred, Cream Heart straightened herself, determination replacing her initial confusion. She was not going to let a little laughter deter her from making an informed decision.

The cashier patiently explained the various features of each console, but Cream Heart's eyes glazed over as the gaming jargon overwhelmed her. She stammered, "Oh my, that's quite a lot to take in. I just want to get the right one.”

The cashier, noticing Cream Heart's confusion, decided to simplify things a bit. "Alright, let's take a step back. Do you have a specific game in mind that you want to play on the console? It might help narrow down your options."

Cream Heart furrowed her brow, thinking hard. "Hmm, there was this one game he was talking to his friends about. It had colorful ponies, magical adventures, and something about solving mysteries. Oh, and there was this charming pony with possible musical numbers… Alan Hoof, I think?"

The cashier's eyes lit up as he understood Cream Heart's reference. "Ah, you're talking about 'Alan Hoof 2: Equestrian Nightmare.' It's the latest installment in the hoof-thrilling survival horror series. Instead of your typical flashlight, Alan Hoof now wields a magical lantern, and the eerie challenges take place in the mysterious dimension of the Everfree Forest."

Cream Heart listened with a mix of fascination and a hint of trepidation. The cashier then leaned in and asked, "By the way, how old is Button Mash? 'Alan Hoof 2' is a bit more mature and might have some spooky elements. We wouldn't want anypony to have nightmares, would we?"

Cream Heart thought for a moment and replied, "Button Mash is just a colt, but he's mature for his age. I'm sure he can handle it. Besides, he loves a good adventure!"

Undeterred, Cream Heart decided to go ahead with the purchase. "Well, I still want to buy it. Do you have it in stock?"

The cashier scratched his head, "Well, kinda. You see, 'Alan Hoof 2: Equestrian Nightmare' is available as a digital download only. No hard copies in stock.”

Cream Heart's eyes widened, and a hint of panic flickered across her face. "Oh no, a digital download? But I can’t wrap that!”

The cashier waved a hoof at the panicked mother. “Don't worry, I've got a solution."

He reached under the counter and pulled out a colorful gaming gift card featuring the main characters of the game. "You can get this gaming gift card, and it'll cover the cost of the game. Just use the code on the back to download it directly to your Console. Easy peasy!"

Cream Heart grinned and happily accepted the gift card. "Perfect! Button Mash is going to be so excited about this. Thanks for helping me navigate through all this!"

---

Cream Heart trotted home with the colorful gaming gift card clutched in her hoof, her heart brimming with excitement. As she entered her cozy cottage in Ponyville, a mischievous grin played on her lips. She couldn't wait to surprise Button Mash with the new game.

With a joyful bounce in her step, Cream Heart headed to Button Mash's room. She had carefully wrapped the gaming gift card in sparkly paper adorned with pictures of ponies on epic quests. The anticipation of seeing Button Mash's eyes light up filled her with glee.

"Button Mash, darling, I've got a surprise for you!" Cream Heart called out as she entered his room, the wrapped gift card levitating in front of her.

Button Mash looked up from his game, his eyes widening with curiosity. "A surprise? What is it, Mom?"

Cream Heart presented the gift with a flourish, "Ta-da! It's a gaming gift card for 'Alan Hoof 2: Equestrian Nightmare.' Enjoy your spooky adventures, my little gamer!"

Button Mash's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he eagerly took the gift. However, as he unwrapped it, a momentary confusion crossed his face. "Uh, Mom? This is for the Xbuck Series S, not the Series X."

Cream Heart's ears drooped in disappointment. "Oh, sweet Celestia, did I mess up? I thought they were the same thing!"

Button Mash burst into laughter, "It's okay, Mom! We can just go and exchange it. No biggie!"

Relieved by Button Mash's easygoing attitude, Cream Heart's spirits lifted. "You're right! We can exchange it for the right one. Let's turn this into a little quest of our own, a journey to the magical land of the gaming store!"

Button Mash grinned, the spirit of adventure twinkling in his eyes. "Exactly! And who knows, maybe there's a bonus level where we discover even more amazing games!"

Together, they headed back to the gaming store, Cream Heart carrying the slightly mismatched Xbuck Series S card, and Button Mash happily chatting about all the exciting possibilities awaiting them at the store.

The winter wind gently brushed against the colorful lights that adorned the streets of Ponyville, creating a festive ambiance as Hearth's Warming Eve approached. Cream Heart and Button Mash, their breaths forming little puffs of warmth in the chilly air, strolled through the town, their hooves crunching in the freshly fallen snow.

As they approached the store, Cream Heart couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected turn of events. What started as a simple quest to surprise Button Mash had evolved into a delightful mother-son adventure.

The cashier, recognizing Cream Heart, greeted them with a friendly smile. "Back so soon?”

Cream Heart chuckled, "Well, it seems I accidentally embarked on the wrong level of this quest. We need to exchange this Xbuck Series Scard for the mighty Series X. Can you help us out?"

The cashier laughed, "No worries! Happens all the time. Let's make sure you have the right code for your epic journey."

As they exited the gaming store with the correct digital code in hoof, the storefront's windows sparkled with holiday decorations. Twinkling lights formed intricate patterns reminiscent of snowflakes, and a large Hearth's Warming Eve wreath hung proudly on the entrance.

Cream Heart couldn't help but feel a sense of seasonal magic. "Button, dear, doesn't this feel like a heartwarming quest unfolding?”

Button Mash grinned, his excitement contagious. "Totally, Mom! It's like our very own Hearth's Warming gaming adventure!"

They headed back to their home, walking through Ponyville, the town square bustling with ponies preparing for the upcoming festivities. Cream Heart's heart swelled with gratitude for the warmth of Hearth's Warming, both the holiday and the feeling it brought.

Upon reaching home, Cream Heart presented the corrected digital code to Button Mash with a touch of theatrical flair. "Behold, my valiant gamer! The key to the mystical land of Equestrian Nightmare awaits you."

Button Mash eagerly grabbed the digital code, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Thanks, Mom! This is the best Hearth's Warming Eve gift ever!"

As they settled in for the evening, the cozy glow of the fireplace casting a warm light on their joyful faces, Cream Heart and Button Mash embarked on their gaming adventure. As they delved into 'Alan Hoof 2: Equestrian Nightmare,' the room echoed with a delightful blend of laughter and the eerie sounds from the game. Cream Heart tried her best to keep a straight face as Button Mash bravely navigated through the mystical challenges, occasionally jumping at unexpected jumpscares.

As the night wore on, and the fire's glow began to wane, Cream Heart and Button Mash continued their gaming escapade. The combination of the day’s events, the eerie game’s soundtrack, and the warmth of the Hearth's Warming Eve fire created a heartwarming memory that would forever be etched in their gaming hearts.

Author's Note:

This is dedicated to anypony who has purchased the wrong game, whether it be the entire game in general or for the wrong system during the holidays. Because, even as a fellow gamer I feel your pain being not as versed in PC (steam games etc.) or live-service games...

Comments

[Skyblazer9]

Great story! Loved the interaction between Button Mash and his mother.

[Movingtarget Productions]

I had a similar issue once, not with games, but with PC RAM. I got DDR4 when the original Mobo took DDR1 or 2. That sucked to return

[Shady Nail]

Good to see a non-lewd story with these two.

Saved for later.

[overlord-flinx]

11777783
It gives hope.

[Dude98]

I bought the psp version of mgs peace walker instead of the ps3 version once, and that was on the ps3's digital store itself.

I noticed there are a couple differences to the irl versions of the consoles used in the story. The Xbox Series X and S (replaced with the Xbuck series X and S) are actually the same console hardware wise, just one has a disc drive and the other doesn't. Plus, all of the Microsoft consoles (No company name is written in the story, but you know what i mean) use the same prepaid cards because the balance is tied to an online account that is shared between all of them. (Xbox Live)

It's still a great story though, surprised no one's pointed it out yet.

[Serina]

11777621
Thank you! I love them as characters 🤎

11777726
I personally have never bought the wrong systems game but I have bought someone a game they already had which was like

11777783
11777821
Yeahhhhh trying to find coverart for the story I got that whole vibe....

11777907
Hahaha I actually forgot about that myself because I never buy digital cards I'll just install it using the eshop on my switch which is my main console pretty much. I do feel bad for all the nongamers trying to buy the gamer in their life a game because xbox decides to make everything sound so similar. Also now you have definitive, legendary, game of the year editions, not to mention DLC and other add ons. I just found out today Alan Wake 2 had a definitive edition that's like $80.

[Skyblazer9]

11777927
You're very welcome! Same here.

[Dude98]

11777927
I still buy game cards for my switch since my mom has one as well so we can share the games.

And yeah, all the extra stuff you can only get through buying what should've been a 20 dollar extras pack that anyone could get separately only through a bundle that costs double the price of the game is annoying as ever, especially since ninety percent of those bundles when they're limited time get scalped and sold for quadruple if it even slightly interests a group of people.

[Muggonny]

I'm gonna read this simply because it's nice to find a story about Button and his mom without incest occurring.

[Muggonny]

Yasssss! Love the Alan Wake references. It makes me unbelievably estatic that the series is getting the recognition that it deserves. An aside, this story was cute and it made me wish my parents were gamers.

Also, I don't think I've purchased the wrong game before, but I recommend Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart to a friend and they accidentally bought the one based on the m9vie instead. I felt so bad for them.

[Serina]

11777939
I do believe games like Bauldurs Gate 3 and the new free God of War DLC are rays of hope in the ever so monetized gaming industry. Also, the indie scene is producing some really amazing content that is beating out some trible A games this year.
Scalpers are the worst. I remember being so scared that our XBOX was going to be swapped out with a brick or something crazy because it was being shipped to our place by Target and at the time drivers were replacing the consoles with bricks, rocks, cat litter even! Thankfully that did not happen to us! 🎮

[Serina]

11778440
I had no idea it was such a big thing between them. I was just like "....what...."

11778997
I feel like that's an easy mistake to make! Also, it did win an award at the game awards and had a dance number if you haven't seen it yet haha. This year was so big for gaming (good and bad) that it's crazy how many games were competing for the spotlight!

[Muggonny]

11779041
I did see the musical number. Fans were demanding that they perform it at the game awards. I'm just upset that Bill Clinton didn't win anything this year.

I already want to replay the game because they introduced New Game+ not that long ago and some story content like the ending is changed.

I had no idea it was such a big thing between them. I was just like "....what...."

Yeah, there's plenty of clop on it. I've tried finding SweetieMash first to read and most of what I found instead is that.

[The Blue EM2]

As an older gamer who largely sticks to PC, I can relate to Cream on so many levels. Great work.

[Serina]

11779045

I did see the musical number. Fans were demanding that they perform it at the game awards. I'm just upset that Bill Clinton didn't win anything this year.

They beefed up security this year. The only people that could get on stage were wearing game award pins. I noticed after the 3rd speaker came up with a pin on their lapel.

11780512
Thanks! I was stressed earlier buying the Pokemon DLC because I didn't want to download the wrong one on the eshop

[The Blue EM2]

11783215
I certainly know what that feels like.

[Hannah Nelson]

This is so sweet!

[MJP]

I feel bad for button, first he gets C&D's out of existence and then it turns out the guy who gave him his voice and personality is an abusive stalker