Level 13

“My guidance counselor, Mr. Fan-something, said that it was important to choose a career that gave you pleasure and satisfaction. Well, that was a slam dunk for me. I’d be getting paid to play video games!”

This conversation with Mr. Fanshaw influences Cam's decisions throughout Slacker and Level 13. Cam leans on Mr. Fanshaw's advice to rationalize his dedication to video games. After rejecting professional gaming, Cam redirects his attention toward streaming, spurring the plot of Level 13.

“Part of my lifestyle was filtering out all the white noise so I could keep my focus razor-sharp on video games, where it belonged.”

Cam is an imperfect character, driven by selfishness and single-mindedness which often leads him into trouble throughout the novel. In this scene, Jordan attempts to share an emotional moment with Cam, who ignores him. This interaction foreshadows future instances where Cam fails to fully engage with others' perspectives.

“He wasn’t a bad guy. I had nothing against him. But he always expected me to do things. And doing things that weren’t gaming related didn’t fit into my lifestyle.”

Cam's repeated reference to his “lifestyle” throughout the novel suggests a deep-seated commitment to gaming and streaming, often at the expense of other responsibilities or interests. His statement about Mr. Fanshaw reflects a broader pattern: Cam values autonomy and resists any demands or expectations that deviate from his gaming-centric pursuits. This stubborn adherence to his lifestyle reveals Cam's prioritization of personal passions over conventional obligations, highlighting a central conflict in his character—balancing personal fulfillment with external expectations and commitments to others, including friends and classmates.