Behind the Controller: Ed Palenik
About Ed: My name is Ed, aka SteamedHams81. I’m a full time physican substitute for a plasma donation center and paramedic for a standby medical services company serving 2 of Chicago’s major sporting venues. I’ve been a gamer since the Atari days and I’m a proud nerd.
How many years in Extra Life: 2022 was my 6th year participating in the last 7(I missed 2021 due to life events). And I plan to continue to participate every year that I can!
How much raised (lifetime): $3,130.00
What is your favorite game, or type of game? Tie between RPGs, shooters, and retro gaming when it comes to console games. My main favorite is Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, but right now I’m slowly working my way through the NES Mega Man series. But I will always have a place in my heart for the arcade!
How did you find out about Extra Life, and why did you decide to get involved? I used to work as a paramedic on a pediatric transport team for a private ambulance company. I saw firsthand what these children were going through.A friend of mine had been doing Extra Life for a few years and I got interested after seeing his posts. Then one day at a small comic con at the Oak Lawn Public Library, I happened upon the Extra Life booth, and made the decision to start participating. And I haven’t looked back!
What does Game Day look like for you? I have a somewhat simple setup: A laptop, a capture card, a tray table and gaming chair. On Game Day, I wear my Doctor Who TARDIS lounger suit and slippers. I have my energy drinks, water and snacks. My wife makes me take breaks every few hours, and makes sure I’m doing well. I usually play 2-3 games in the 24 hours, but in 2022 I did a full 24 hour playthrough of the 1986 arcade classic Rampage. I completed all 768 levels in 22 of those hours. Brutal, but worth it!
What are you looking forward to in the new year (from a gaming, Extra Life, fundraising perspective)? I’m looking forward to raising more money to help the kids. I hope to hit a $1K goal this year. I want to help Extra Life do all it can for the kids!
Fun Fact: I now host a weekly nerd/gaming comedy podcast called “The Unforgettable Luncheon”. It’s at theunforgettableluncheon.buzzsprout.com and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and others. It does have a bit of mature language in some episodes, but it’s pretty fun.”