Introducing 'Other half' into gaming; Help!

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Altorin

Jack of No Trades
May 16, 2008
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Doomsdaylee said:
Altorin said:
Et3rnalLegend64 said:
Out of curiosity, how did she end up messing up Sonic 2? Is it really that hard?
if I had to venture a guess, it's because Sonic 2 uses negative reinforcement. Get hit once, all of your rings fly away in a shower of you failing, and sonic looks at you with a surprised look that basically says "WTF ARE YOU DOING!?"

plus, it's really really fast by definition, and newer gamers prefer games that let them move at their own pace. Try getting someone who's never played a game, and putting them in one of those Auto-Scrolling levels in any of the old platformers. The ones that will crush you against platforms etc.

They'll HATE it.
Counter-point: I've been playing games all my life, and I STILL hate Auto-scrolling levels.
hehe... part of all of us do.. but that's more likely just bad feelings from our first encounters with them. I think they are decent tools to create more varied level designs, but some games just got silly with them.
 

wootsniper

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Aug 6, 2009
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Cgull said:
I'm trying to find a simple game to help ease my girlfriend into gaming and I'm struggling a little bit so I'm wondering if anyone else has done this successfully and what they used?

She's not against gaming and is actually willing to give it a go but trying to get her playing anything harder than Peggle/Bejewelled isn't working out too well, the last game we attempted (Sonic 2) was a bit of a disaster (although it was hilarious to watch).

So...suggestions anyone?

*Edit* If it's possible to keep to console based suggestions I'd appreciate it, 'Animal Crossing' etc. would possibly work but it wouldn't be that easy to make into an activity we can both enjoy (I would assume).
my girlfriend really likes portal, no blood, no violence no experience needed. the perfect girl game =)
 

Et3rnalLegend64

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Jan 9, 2009
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Cgull said:
Et3rnalLegend64 said:
Take this advice. We as seasoned gamers probably take a lot of our skills for-granted and already know what our preferred genres are. We already sorta know if we will like something if we hear and see a bit about the game. You kinda have to take a step back and break down the elements of the game you are looking at and see what a newcomer would think of it.

When I had to listen to my brother explain the controls for a guy starting to play Modern Warfare 2, I was amazed. (Right stick to look, left stick to move, click right stick to knife, right trigger to shoot, left bumper to aim, A to jump, B for stance, etc.) You have to take into account how multi-tasking intensive the game is, how many actions are assigned to each button, how many buttons you'll be expected to use commonly throughout the game or within a period of time, etc. You don't want her to be overwhelmed by the stuff you have to memorize and the things on the screen that you have to pay attention to.

Out of curiosity, how did she end up messing up Sonic 2? Is it really that hard?
I guess it is! I think, as you and a few others have mentioned, pretty much everyone on here has been gaming for years so to think of Sonic as a challgen is a bit of an alien concept.

Sadly, as someone who hadn't been gaming for years the idea of making the blue hedgehog jump, move and not die all at the same time seemed to be a stretch too far. Especially at the speed the game asks of you. Possibly Mario would've made more sense.

I don't think I've seen Sonic drown as often before though...hopefully won't see it again either, the look on his face the umpteenth time was almost accusing *shudder*
Yeah, I guess I should have taken the speed into account. I wondered how hard a single button game could be. Mario would have made much more sense. I forget what else I played as a kid. Anyone care to jumpstart my memory?
 

Altorin

Jack of No Trades
May 16, 2008
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wootsniper said:
Cgull said:
I'm trying to find a simple game to help ease my girlfriend into gaming and I'm struggling a little bit so I'm wondering if anyone else has done this successfully and what they used?

She's not against gaming and is actually willing to give it a go but trying to get her playing anything harder than Peggle/Bejewelled isn't working out too well, the last game we attempted (Sonic 2) was a bit of a disaster (although it was hilarious to watch).

So...suggestions anyone?

*Edit* If it's possible to keep to console based suggestions I'd appreciate it, 'Animal Crossing' etc. would possibly work but it wouldn't be that easy to make into an activity we can both enjoy (I would assume).
my girlfriend really likes portal, no blood, no violence no experience needed. the perfect girl game =)
Portal is the most vertigo inducing game as often down IS up and vice versa.

So make sure your resident new gamer is comfortable inside a 3d environment before you give them the twist of the portal. Luckily portal has a decent learning curve.

Although if they do have good spatial awareness, Portal is an awesome suggestion.
 

Cgull

Behind You
Oct 31, 2009
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Et3rnalLegend64 said:
Yeah, I guess I should have taken the speed into account. I wondered how hard a single button game could be. Mario would have made much more sense. I forget what else I played as a kid. Anyone care to jumpstart my memory?
I wondered (and may have said) the same thing. I now think I took my gaming experience for granted but hey-ho, we live and learn.

Incidentally, if your childhood was like mine then Streets of Rage, Sonic, Super Thunderblade, Golden Axe and Shinobi would've featured a fair bit. Possibly James Pond as well. I loved those games.
 

Altorin

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May 16, 2008
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Et3rnalLegend64 said:
I forget what else I played as a kid. Anyone care to jumpstart my memory?
Toe Jam and Earl?
Pouy Pouy? (Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine)
Earthworm Jim?
Boogerman?
Sword of Vermillion?
Golden Axe?
Shinobi?

Just spouting off big Genesis titles.

Oh yeah, the best of them all - COMIX ZONE!
 

Eliam_Dar

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Nov 25, 2009
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I don't know man, I have the exact same problem than you, she likes gaming from an artistic point of view, I will try with Little Big Planet
 

Altorin

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May 16, 2008
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getting a new gamer into the hobby is a balancing act between making the game accessible to them, and not treating them like a baby...

definitely want to avoid the latter, as it will just make you look like a condescending jerk.
 

JayDig

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Jun 28, 2008
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Chicks do seem to like those LEGO games.

Using both anolog sticks in something like FP is pretty tough to learn though, even for a 25 y/o male who has always used a mouse and wasd(me).

Might be awhile before shes a decent wingman in L4D. GL!
 

Cgull

Behind You
Oct 31, 2009
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Eliam_Dar said:
I don't know man, I have the exact same problem than you, she likes gaming from an artistic point of view, I will try with Little Big Planet
To summarise the best suggestions (and the ones I'll be trying) for you from the last page and a half in no particular order;

Portal
Lego Anything
Mario (pretty much anything with the 'tached one)
Little Big Planet

Maybe one of these will grab her attention? I'm going with Lego with mentions of Portal....
 

Et3rnalLegend64

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Jan 9, 2009
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Altorin said:
Et3rnalLegend64 said:
I forget what else I played as a kid. Anyone care to jumpstart my memory?
Toe Jam and Earl?
Pouy Pouy? (Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine)
Earthworm Jim?
Boogerman?
Sword of Vermillion?
Golden Axe?
Shinobi?

Just spouting off big Genesis titles.

Oh yeah, the best of them all - COMIX ZONE!
Played Golden Axe and Revenge of Shinobi. I was 7 or so. Golden Axe was fine, Shinobi was way too difficult till I grew up a bit (Never got past Spiderman/Batman/The Terminator). My cousin has Comix Zone on his computer (Genesis collection). Ouch.....

OP: Streets of Rage and other similar beat-em-ups wouldn't be bad, yes?
 

soulscream

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Jul 21, 2009
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Interesting question. I have a similar issue. My girlfriend likes Zelda, Mario and some brain training stuff, but those are all on the DS. I would really like her to get into some (more serious) PS3 games.

Yesterday, I plugged her onto the Heavy Rain demo since they say that game is 'for everyone'. To my surprise she kinda liked it. I'm thinking of getting it just for her.
 

Jonatron

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Sep 8, 2008
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Cgull said:
*Edit* If it's possible to keep to console based suggestions I'd appreciate it, 'Animal Crossing' etc. would possibly work but it wouldn't be that easy to make into an activity we can both enjoy (I would assume).
Two DSs and you can go over to each other's towns and screw around and play games. All very cute.
 

Cgull

Behind You
Oct 31, 2009
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Et3rnalLegend64 said:
Altorin said:
Et3rnalLegend64 said:
I forget what else I played as a kid. Anyone care to jumpstart my memory?
Toe Jam and Earl?
Pouy Pouy? (Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine)
Earthworm Jim?
Boogerman?
Sword of Vermillion?
Golden Axe?
Shinobi?

Just spouting off big Genesis titles.

Oh yeah, the best of them all - COMIX ZONE!
Played Golden Axe and Revenge of Shinobi. I was 7 or so. Golden Axe was fine, Shinobi was way too difficult till I grew up a bit (Never got past Spiderman/Batman/The Terminator). My cousin has Comix Zone on his computer (Genesis collection). Ouch.....

OP: Streets of Rage and other similar beat-em-ups wouldn't be bad, yes?
I think Streets of Rage would be ok a bit down the line. I think trying to remember what each button does along with consequences of not remembering in time (dying, many punches in face etc.) might put too much pressure on her (or any new gamer). Could kill the urge completely!
 

UntrodTripod

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Jan 24, 2008
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Nethack, obviously.

I'd go with something that she's not in direct competition with another human at the beginning. The RPGs and Zelda games are a great idea. If you have a SNES, then most of the best RPGs evar are at your disposal here. Also Link to the Past. I'd recommend, in no particular order:

Game Boy:
Pokemon Red/Blue (seriously. isn't that one of the games that got YOU into serious gaming?)
Wario World

SNES:
Chrono Trigger
Secret of Mana
Mario RPG
Earthbound
Cool Spot
Contra III (if she's into that sort of thing...)
Super Mario All Stars
Link to the Past

If you have a 64:
Ocarina
Majora
Mario 64
Smash Bros
Goldeneye (again, if she wants to try that sort of thing)

If you have a PS2:
Shadow of the Colossus
Psychonauts

Gamecube/Wii:
Eternal Darkness
Mario Galaxy



It's not that I don't think other games are good, but those seem like good introductory ones to me
 

Twad

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Nov 19, 2009
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Cgull said:
I'm trying to find a simple game to help ease my girlfriend into gaming and I'm struggling a little bit so I'm wondering if anyone else has done this successfully and what they used?

She's not against gaming and is actually willing to give it a go but trying to get her playing anything harder than Peggle/Bejewelled isn't working out too well, the last game we attempted (Sonic 2) was a bit of a disaster (although it was hilarious to watch).

So...suggestions anyone?

*Edit* If it's possible to keep to console based suggestions I'd appreciate it, 'Animal Crossing' etc. would possibly work but it wouldn't be that easy to make into an activity we can both enjoy (I would assume).
Well, my mom likes to play with the Nintendo Wii, so maybe your GF might like it too.
What does she likes anyway?
 

APLovecraft

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Jan 13, 2010
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my gf loved spyro on ps1 so when i got my 360 i got the most recent spyro on the cheap as well and it had co-op as well so that made it more fun
 

Meggiepants

Not a pigeon roost
Jan 19, 2010
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A good friend of mine is going through this exact thing right now. I had to intercede. He was trying to get his fiance to play Police Quest of all things. He needed serious help.

Things that worked with her:

--Wii games, specifically, Wii Sports. The movements are natural. The games are easy. Anyone can pick up Wii Bowling and get into it quickly. Trust me. I got a room full of librarians, many who were 50 and up, into playing video games with this goofy ass bowling game. (If you are wondering why I did this, I did a little workshop on why video games were appropriate for libraries to have alongside books, videos and music. It worked.)

--Games with really simple controls. I saw a couple people mention this. But if you have a game that only requires one or two buttons, like Little Big Planet, it makes it easy to get the basics of gaming down.

--Games with infinite lives. No one likes to die. It sucks. Starting all over is annoying.

I'm going to have to disagree with RPGs. As someone who got into RPGs later in gaming, when I first saw the inventory management involved, and some of the complicated leveling systems, I was overwhelmed. Although the battles are slower, until you get used to the incredible amount of minutia some of these games employ, it can seem a little boring. And Game overy.

And the Sonic thing, yeah I can see that. The first time I played that game I was like, "Shit! Why is everything going so fast?!" If I had never gamed I would probably think people who gamed had genetically engineered reflexes or something. That game can be really crazy looking to someone who hasn't gamed.