Gaming with... grandpa?

[Jaqen Hghar]

Railroad Tycoon is great. Any game like that really.
Total War? A lot of games in that series that could be fun.
Tell us how this goes. Sounds like your grandpa is quite awesome

 

[Slayer_2]

If your computer is good enough, try flight simulators, or HAWX if you think that he needs to start with the basics.

Your best bet is to ask him. Describe FPS, flight sims, RTS, RPG's, etc. and see what sounds most appealing to him

 

[_Janny_]

ex air force commander

There's a hint right there. I'm sure he'd enjoy most war-related games that are strategy based. And you are so lucky to have such a cool grandpa.

 

[Tairan]

try fallout 3 that should gie him some memories...hehehe

 

[chetoos]

my now 80 year old grandmother got me into world of warcraft, so maybe a good MMO. WoW does have a pretty good tutorial.

 

[A Raging Emo]

Try to start with simpler games, maybe Halo Wars or another RTS? Or maybe a Platformer or Racing Game.

A Turn based RPG would be a good thing, too, if your Grandfather likes a good story, that is.

 

[cairocat]

Actually, I would suggest staying away from shooters and WWII games, simply speaking based on MY grandfather and his uneasy reaction to me playing CoD WaW (considering he is a WWII veteran himself). Strategy sounds good, but you should really start with something basic. I'm not going to suggest anything besides PC because I understand that would just frustrate you (You're not gonna go buy an Xbox 360 just so your grandpa can play Halo Wars) but also, as someone said prior, let him find what he likes himself.

 

[Energylegzz]

How bout some Warcraft three?

 

[Vern]

Starcraft. Just don't be surprised when he Zerg rushes your ass.

 

[Souplex]

My Gandpa loved puzzle games and PC pinball.

 

[The_80s_Guy]

Some of the new games might be just a little overwhelming. If he is interested in turn based strategy, perhaps something like Risk II would be a good starting game for him?

 

[Jerich0]

start him on a first-person shooter, since those are the hardest for a beginning gamer to control. take a while and let him learn the controls (left stick strafes, right stick aims). if he can't get the controls or becomes frustrated, switch him to another game with simpler comtrols, e.g. fable. then just let him peruse and find out what he likes!

 

[x434343]

It depends on what your Grandpa is. My friend, who hated Call of Duty, would make a rare exception to play Call of Duty 2 with his grandpa, who would comment on what was right and not right.

 

[Steindorh]

To be honest, I personally would stay away from WWII games, if your gramps is a veteran, however, you might do well to show him some other first-person shooters or strategy games. Also some brainteasers or something of that ilk might be fun for him.

 

[A Weary Exile]

...I don't have a Wii. I don't have any consule, actually. I am limited to the PC.
><

Try some adventure games like Monkey Island, or you can start him out with Half-Life.

 

[Xylon Lionheart]

I was actually introduced to gaming by my grandparents, and they still play games to this game. Coolest. Grandparents. Ever.

 

[CakeDragon]

I was actually introduced to gaming by my grandparents, and they still play games to this game. Coolest. Grandparents. Ever.

Haha, same here. I daresay my grandad is an even bigger gamer than I am...

 

[Eyebiter]

You may want to avoid real time strategy or first person shooter games that require fast reaction times and overload your ability to keep track of things. Those could be too frustrating for an older person.

Start with something turn based that is easy to learn and play. Checkers, solitaire, or hearts, or freecell. Once he gets used to moving the mouse and typing on the keyboard then move to more advanced games. As ex military perhaps Chess or Risk might interest him.

If he is interested in wargames there are many available depending on his interest. Suggest checking www.wargamer.com or www.armchairgeneral.com for details.

 

[teutonicman]

I'd give him a start on a RTS like Age of Empires (if he's good with computers), other than that I'd just go and rent a lot of with with him. Damn I that would be cool if my gramps want to be a gamer.