{"id":111,"date":"2007-04-21T00:37:44","date_gmt":"2007-04-21T00:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christinagonzalez.wordpress.com\/2007\/04\/21\/get-your-significant-other-into-gaming\/"},"modified":"2007-04-21T00:37:44","modified_gmt":"2007-04-21T00:37:44","slug":"get-your-significant-other-into-gaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christinagonzalez.net\/blog\/2007\/04\/21\/get-your-significant-other-into-gaming\/","title":{"rendered":"“Get Your Significant Other into Gaming”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note: This is a repost from another of
\nmy blogs, which is sort of on hiatus and may undergo a design change
\nand relaunch shortly. I've decided to talk about video games on this
\nblog too, but that one is completely game focused.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Since this is now my main blog, I thought it would make sense to put it here as well.<\/p>\n

January 1, 2007<\/p>\n

I did a Google search for an unrelated issue I'm having with my browser, and came upon this <\/a>article
\nfrom 2005. I'm sure someone, somewhere, has already discussed it, but
\nit's new to me. I generally don't go to Microsoft.com for gaming
\narticles, so I had to stumble upon it.<\/p>\n

The article is written in
\na gender neutral voice, but it seems that this is merely for
\npolitically correct purposes, as the suggestions and style seem to
\nindicate that this is geared toward men looking to get their non-gamer
\ngirlfriends or dates into games.<\/p>\n

Part of the advice reads: "Do start slow.<\/strong>
\nRather than opting for a date starring aliens or zombies, try picking a
\ntitle grounded in the real world." Most gamers are happy to show off
\ntheir games. They just jump right in and speak enthusiastically. If
\nit's a passion of ours, we're not necessarily going to tread slowly and
\ntry not to startle our friends or romantic interests. We're going to
\nsay, "Hey, I just got this great game, take a look!" and then proceed
\nto demonstrate. I'm not advocating intimidation, but you don't have to
\ntreat your non gamer friends and lovers as if they're complete
\nneophytes that can't handle a little bit of imagination or something
\nnot based in reality. That's like saying reading picture books full of
\ntalking animals and trips to the moon to little children isn't a good
\nidea. It's all about the concepts and the presentation, not the
\ndelivery method.<\/p>\n

If I see something that looks fun to play, I'll
\njump right in. Now, while I do enjoy casual games like one of the
\ntitles Mr. Steinberg mentions, Bookworm, that doesn't mean that it's
\nexciting. Part of the reason why I've been gaming for so long is
\nbecause it remains fun and exciting. Now, not all games have to deliver
\nan intense adrenaline rush ( and plenty have, especially after a truly
\narduous boss fight), but if you show me something that looks insanely
\nfun, I'll want to try it that much more.<\/p>\n

Obviously, if we're
\nreferring to a novice gamer, or someone who doesn't game at all, then
\nit's worth it to find out his or her tastes first. Does this person
\nenjoy sci-fi novels or movies? Then break out Halo. Is an adventurous
\ndrama or mystery more his or her cup of tea? Then maybe go for
\nsomething like Broken Sword or Myst. Political intrigue? Try Beyond
\nGood & Evil. It's just too hard to try introducing someone to
\ngaming without looking into the person's interests at all. There are so
\nmany good games within all genres that it's easy enough to recommend
\nsomething once you have a sense of what the person might enjoy more.<\/p>\n

I've
\ntouched upon the PC qualities of this article earlier, but this is
\nwhere it irked me a little. If it was written as another "introduce
\nyour wife\/girlfriend\/sister\/mom to gaming" piece, and it is, then
\nMicrosoft should have just let it be. It's obviously written with that
\npoint of view and directed at a male audience. Look at the advice and
\ngame suggestions:<\/p>\n