Trying to get my mother into gaming. I need help.

[Erttheking]

I know I know, it's kind of a suicide mission but I'm actually making some progress. I actually managed to convince her to try out skyrim but I need some help. Skyrim is the only game in my library that I think that she'll like, see I'm a sci-fi fan while she prefers the fantasy setting. She also said that she would like to try games with beatiful graphics and with said fantasy setting and Skyrim is the only game I have that really fits into that category (well I have Dark Souls but I don't think that that is going to work)

Any ideas for what games you think she'll like? Also we've talked about Soul Caliber (we're trying to find games we can play together) and when I pointed out that it had a fantasy motif and good looking graphics she displayed interest, but I don't own any Soul Caliber games. Any idea which one would be a good place to start? 4 or 5? (Yes, I know about characters like Ivy, let me worry about that)

 

[BloatedGuppy]

WoW.

The vast majority of female gamers I know are big MMO fans.

Bioware might be a better lead-in than Bethesda as well. Skyrim is a ludicrously masculine game.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

Hmm, as far as good-looking fantasy games go, I can suggest the first Risen and the first Witcher game. The latter isn't very difficult, so an inexperienced gamer shouldn't have much trouble, and it is very story driven. If she enjoys Skyrim, I'm sure she may be partial to those.

 

[Aircross]

http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Classic-Anthology-Pc/dp/B005JQ064A

There's also Dragon Age: Origins (don't get Dragon Age 2) and the Witcher games.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

I remember trying to get my parents to play the NES when I was a kid.

My mom sucked at Ninja Turtles. Kept making Leonardo jump into the walls for no apparent reason.

 

[Kahunaburger]

Tales games, man. Optional co-op, easy to get into.

 

[Scarim Coral]

How about Touchlight, Guild Wars 1 or 2, Dragon Age or Fable 1 (not 2 or 3)?

 

[Erttheking]

WoW.

The vast majority of female gamers I know are big MMO fans.

Bioware might be a better lead-in than Bethesda as well. Skyrim is a ludicrously masculine game.

It's a thought, but I think we may want to avoid something that costs $15 a month. I suppose making her a Runescape account and letting her try to F2P parts as a trial. Also I've thought about Dragon Age but I hear that that got messed up, also Bioware leans a bit towards being masculine too.

 

[muffinatorXII]

i don't think throwing her right into the deep end with a big fantasy game isn't the greatest of ideas. i think she should start with a more casual game and then you can get her playing something really good

 

[BloatedGuppy]

It's a thought, but I think we may want to avoid something that costs $15 a month. I suppose making her a Runescape account and letting her try to F2P parts as a trial. Also I've thought about Dragon Age but I hear that that got messed up, also Bioware leans a bit towards being masculine too.

There's a free trial taking you up to L20 I believe. Might be a good way to test the waters.

All games lean towards the masculine, but Skyrim is on another level. Even the music, with the chorus of vikings grunting and yowling. Your Mom might develop testicles after a few hours with it.

 

[Erttheking]

Someone mentioned guild wars 2...isn't that kind of like WOW except you only have to pay once? Anyone got any info on that one?

 

[Qitz]

Someone mentioned guild wars 2...isn't that kind of like WOW except you only have to pay once? Anyone got any info on that one?

Yes, GW2 is a Buy-To-Play game, you only pay $60 and then they rely on Micro transactions, however, it's not released yet.

 

[Nicolle]

Fable 1 or 2 are good choices, also Fate is a cute simple dungeon crawl.

 

[Erttheking]

Someone mentioned guild wars 2...isn't that kind of like WOW except you only have to pay once? Anyone got any info on that one?

Yes, GW2 is a Buy-To-Play game, you only pay $60 and then they rely on Micro transactions, however, it's not released yet.

What is a micro transaction (forgive my lack of understanding of certain terms)? And when is it coming out? Also would you recomend it based on what you know about it?

 

[Qitz]

What is a micro transaction (forgive my lack of understanding of certain terms)? And when is it coming out? Also would you recomend it based on what you know about it?

Micro Transactions means that instead of paying a subscription fee you pay a smaller fee to unlock specific things. So when you first start out you'll have access to 3 character slots, so if you want a 4th you'll have to buy a slot from their in game store for, say, $3 (all as an example mind you.)

The FAQ on their website only says 2012 as a ship date though that may change depending on Beta feedback.

I would recommend it myself, the combat is a lot different than normal MMO's where the server does the auto-attacking for you and the attacks will hit, miss or be dodged / parry depending on your stats and the enemies. GuildWars 2, however, does it a differently in that attacks will miss if you dodge out the way of them. They also let you synergize attacks, if I lay down a wall of flame and you fire arrows through said wall, your arrows will deal fire damage as well.

You can see a lot more on it at ArenaNet's website GuildWars2.com [http://www.guildwars2.com] and Youtube has tons of videos on stuff about it.

Spoiler: Here's a breakdown on somethings by TotalBiscuit

 

[kyogen]

I don't get all the chatter about TES and the DA franchise being masculine. An awful lot of women are playing them too. Character customization broadens the audience quite a bit.

Does your mother like dark fantasy? The Witcher 1 is slightly old-school, but it's really good. The Witcher 2 is less old-school, and it's even prettier. They've also got a very friendly and helpful forum (by internet standards, at least) at en.thewitcher.com/forum if she wants to socialize.

If she's not really into the dark stuff, go with something like Dragon Age: Origins or Kingdoms of Amalur. They both have their charms, they're not too difficult to figure out mechanically, and the graphics are nice and shiny. Neither of them is a particular favorite of mine, but they would be a relatively gentle introduction to crpgs. Oblivion is also pretty bright and cheerful for a TES game--and it's cheap now, and it's easy to pick up and play, and there are loads of mods for the pc version.

I love Risen, but that's a shock if you're not used to Piranha Bytes' version of combat and character leveling, so I'd be cautious about recommending it to someone new to gaming.

 

[TehCookie]

Ever try casual games? My mom has a DS and loved the classic games like Club House games and Professor Layton so I tried to expand it a bit and got her to play 999 and Phoenix Wright. If anything go with stereotypes and get the Sims.

 

[Fappy]

My mom used to rage at Mickey Mouse: House of Illusion when I was wee lad. Fortunately for her sanity she hasn't played many games since she beat me in Mortal Kombat I on mother's day when I was 5 years old. She hasn't forgotten... and she hasn't let me forget either.

...

Anyway OP, like others have stated: female gamers generally love Bioware titles. That's a good place to start.

 

[Erttheking]

What is a micro transaction (forgive my lack of understanding of certain terms)? And when is it coming out? Also would you recomend it based on what you know about it?

Micro Transactions means that instead of paying a subscription fee you pay a smaller fee to unlock specific things. So when you first start out you'll have access to 3 character slots, so if you want a 4th you'll have to buy a slot from their in game store for, say, $3 (all as an example mind you.)

The FAQ on their website only says 2012 as a ship date though that may change depending on Beta feedback.

I would recommend it myself, the combat is a lot different than normal MMO's where the server does the auto-attacking for you and the attacks will hit, miss or be dodged / parry depending on your stats and the enemies. GuildWars 2, however, does it a differently in that attacks will miss if you dodge out the way of them. They also let you synergize attacks, if I lay down a wall of flame and you fire arrows through said wall, your arrows will deal fire damage as well.

You can see a lot more on it at ArenaNet's website GuildWars2.com [http://www.guildwars2.com] and Youtube has tons of videos on stuff about it.

Spoiler: Here's a breakdown on somethings by TotalBiscuit

Hm, not only will a try to show that to my mom, I'll probably try it myself. Congradulations, you have just made a succesful sales pitch. The computer that I'm on doesn't have speakers but I'll be sure to watch that video when I get the chance. Thanks a bunch.