# 5: Bragging Rights
You have no money. You stink at sports. You´re only lying to yourself if you think that smoking-hot babe a couple of years older than you down the street (let´s say her name is Leslie) can think for even a moment that the face under your grotesque acne is cute (this is hypothetical, of course... *cough*).

But you do have one thing going on; you are in the top 20 on the Halo 3 leaderboard. The average person could care less, but if you earned the status legitimately you are a superstar in the gaming community. Anyone with a headset knows just how vocal some gamers can be about their accomplishments. We have all done it to some extent, but some just brag so much that they become annoying. And hey, when you can be the master at your game of choice, you can always focus your efforts on taking down the reigning champion.

Examples: Practically any game that provides any kind of multiplayer experience or accumulation of stats

# 4: Saving the World
The city/country/planet/universe is in imminent danger. The wicked leader is moving his forces in preparation for a total victory. All will soon be lost. Somewhere a misguided hero is ready to step forward. Ready to fight for what is right and just, this hero will lead a counter assault that will drive the ruler back to whence he came. The theme is can be found in countless video games, but no matter how many times it´s done it can still feel fresh and new if done correctly. The potential for oppression and extinction leads the meek or the unconventional hero to great things.

Examples: Gears of War, Final Fantasy, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Oblivion, Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda