She doesn’t play games. That’s the first thing to know about her.
We’ve been dating since around March and have reached that awkward phase where there’s an obligation to try out each other’s hobbies. For me this has been simple, hanging out with her friends and getting drunk works retroactively. But for her it’s a bit more a of a journey. I’ve played games since the Megadrive (Genesis, for you colonials) and it’s an important part of my development and identification. She realises this, and without any pressuring decided that because it’s so key to better understanding me she’d start giving this stuff a try.
How did it go? Sir, madam, read on after the jump.
Her experience with games leads back to brief encounter with, in her words, “some Scooby Doo game on the PlayStation”. I realised at this point that there was a lot of chronology that she’s missed out on and in order to properly understand the medium, she’d need somewhat of a history lesson.
Not wanting to break out charts and graphs (out of a lack of preparation time, not out of a dislike for them, charts and graphs rule) and lacking a set of early consoles to-hand, we started our journey with Xbox LIVE release: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix.
Obviously, not to put her off with such a convoluted name, I told her it was just an “Old Street Fighter”.
We jumped straight into Versus to allow me a chance to throw a few rounds to boost her confidence while I teach her the basics, I pick Ken and she ill-advisedly picks Cammy, rationalising that “she’s a girl”. I don’t debate her logic (how can you? She’s never seen the game before). At this point I don’t try and teach her any moves, just let her do what comes natural, I take a defensive stance, block a lot, jump around, throw a few punches so it doesn’t look too obvious that I’m taking a dive, she wins both rounds.
I suggest from there she tries out more starter friendly characters, she alternates between Chun-Li and Blanka as we play for a little longer. I keep a convincing stance as a jabronie going. Deciding that it would be interesting to take a leap from how SSF2THDR looks and plays, to the more modern Street Fighter 4. I get up to put in the disc…
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Kudos for getting that far. Although there might be some slightly more “newbie friendly” games than a hardcore fighting game (which is versus to boot) and a very unique though artistic XBLA game.
I’ve had good luck with Rock Band, Halo 3, Left 4 Dead (campaign only) and Fable 2 with my wife. We used to play things like Columns and Virtua Racing on the Sega Gen/CD/32x monstrosity, but she mostly stayed out of the PS1 generation. Hydro Thunder on DC, and Karoake Rev on PS1 was it.
Gaming can definitely be a hobby for everyone in the family, and it doesn’t have to be Minigame Central.
Cool. I would probably start with a Mario or well any DS or Wii game. But that sends the wrong idea of Games=Waggle. Good choices though.
BTW who makes the word things?
(begin ATTACKONREAGAN???? WTH?)
One suggestion. I know you want to spend time with her, but I find it best if you both have a hobby of your own. If your hobby is playing videogames. Well that’s your time. When you start to get her to play games with you, you have to play instructor. At first, and I’ve been there, this feels good. But after a while, it can become quite annoying.
I once played a large amount of World of Warcraft and then decided to persuade my girlfriend to join me. I thought it would be good fun to let her play with me. Instead, it turned into me playing the game through her by proxy. It drove me out of the game and into anything but gaming with her. I do so hope your experience turns out better than mine. However, I fully recommend you let your hobbies stay your hobbies.
I’m not looking to get her to a stage where she’s super interested in gaming, just a level where she’s not totally adverse to my hobby.
If you own a wii, I suggest the Wiiware title Equilibrio. It’s only $5, and is an easy way to get used to new physics systems (and through association, platforming skills)- All this, and it’s fun. The first five minutes can still be frustrating, through.