An Introduction into the World of PC Gaming

[PhoenixKing]

Now people of the Escapist, I love PC gaming. I love the way you control with the mouse and keyboard, I love the mods that come with every game, and I think the PC exclusives are the best (massive Starcraft fanboy here). However, what I don't know is how to introduce someone to PC gaming. Currently, I am trying to initiate, if you will, my 8 year old sister into PC gaming.

She has a history of gaming, as she plays with her Wii and Nintendo DS quite a bit. She is also playing MMORPG type games, such as Club Penguin and Pananda. I had previously given her The Bastion to play, but she was... pretty terrible at it.

So people of the escapist, I ask you this, what games should I give to my sister to start her off in PC gaming?

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Well if you quickly start her up a Steam account you can get Portal 1 for free before Sept 20th.

Team Fortress 2 is also free and is a AMAZING game.


however...since she's 8, that's a little hard to really accommodate for since most of us here can really only recommend games meant for 15+. Although Portal 1 should be fine. no blood, killing etc.

 

[PhoenixKing]

Well if you quickly start her up a Steam account you can get Portal 1 for free before Sept 20th.

Team Fortress 2 is also free and is a AMAZING game.


however...since she's 8, that's a little hard to really accommodate for since most of us here can really only recommend games meant for 15+. Although Portal 1 should be fine. no blood, killing etc.

I already have both of these games on steam, and the problem is that she can't even use the WASD keys very well to move, let alone think up clever solutions and implement them like you have to in portal. What I'm looking for is like... some that would help her grasp how PC games work.

 

[Vonnis]

If you want to introduce her to first or third person games, she'll need to learn to work that mouse + WASD. I think Portal might actually be one of the better games to do this, as she can go about it at her own pace without any enemies. Just make sure you're there with her to help with some of the puzzles.
Another game that might be good for introducing her to the platform (and its controls) is Psychonauts. It's colourful, funny, has no gore (at least for as far as I can remember) and is simply a very solid platformer. The only problem is that there are some frustratingly difficult parts in this game which might put her off, but these are mostly situated near the end of the game.
Leaving the keyboard out of the equation, she might enjoy the Heroes of Might and Magic games. I never met someone who didn't, anyway.
Apart from that, I can't really offer many suggestions. I don't know how much she would enjoy a game like Caesar or Civilization, and I don't think most of the games I'd normally recommend are particularly appropriate for an 8 year old. Then again, I remember having a blast playing DOOM when I was around that age.

 

[McMullen]

Portal for sure. Also, one of the civ games (I prefer IV, though V might be easier for a kid) is good, as it also comes with an SDK and is easily moddable. Minecraft is always popular too.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

however...since she's 8, that's a little hard to really accommodate for since most of us here can really only recommend games meant for 15+. Although Portal 1 should be fine. no blood, killing etc.

Well, there is blood. Anyway, I hear kids like Minecraft, not big on the PC gaming scene so I'm not an expert...

 

[Rastien]

Minecraft all the way, it was mentioned back along in an extra credits episode about minecraft with mods being implemented in a class room enviroment. I believe not 100% sure that the maps/mods used in the classroom you are able to download and install in a home enviromen resonably easily.

Also she is probably still abit to young, but world of warcraft free trial is unlimited and can go to level 20? i believe this might be a good little game for her to get used to as you mentioned mmorpgs before. The starting areas are incredibly easy and offer i would say a fun enviroment to learn the basic keyboard and mouse skills. On a side note i apologise if i get your sister into wow its not my fault don't blame me .

 

[zfactor]

I think Minecraft on the "peaceful" settings would be good. No enemies or gore, just move around and build stuff. At whatever pace you want, too.