Best Videogames For Enthralling Non-Gamers? 98
Thanks to GameSpy for its article discussing the best videogame titles that appeal to those unfamiliar with gaming. The list of these 'gateway' titles, games which "...are usually quite easy to pick up and play and remain addictive", includes EyeToy: Play ("It's immensely entertaining to watch your co-workers move around ridiculously while trying to wash a virtual window or fight a virtual boxer"), Dance Dance Revolution ("sits in a strange purgatory between social awkwardness and coolness"), and The Sims ("...breaking boundaries that many thought impenetrable.")
A good story counts (Score:5, Interesting)
It turns out that they did, and the game got her interested not only in the RPG genre (we just finished Knights of the Old Republic together), but also gaming in general (some of her favorites have been Thief, System Shock 2, and Tropico).
That being said, if you can find a game with a story that might appeal to a non-gamer, you might have even more luck than just introducing him or her to a more gimmicky title.
No question about it (Score:1)
Re:No question about it (Score:3, Insightful)
Top Spin -tennis on the Xbox. Like Pong, but a lot better.
Simpsons Hit and Run - If they like the Simpsons, they'll like this game.
Both are easy to get started in, and neither has a lot of stuff to remember. Easy games that are fun.
Re:No question about it (Score:1)
I know. I have two ex-girlfriends, both of them ex-non-gamers.
Tetris (Score:5, Insightful)
I remember my mother being really addicted to it. Although she didn't know how to do anything on the computer (turing the mouse like a steering wheel to go sideways etc.) she could still find and play tetris.
Re:Tetris (Score:3, Insightful)
My mom eventually switched to Dr. Mario when it came out, though ity's the same type of game in a way. My girlfriend now loves games like collapse. It's been my experience that most "non-gamers" will take an interest in games, as long as they are the right games. It seems like generic puz
WTF? (Score:2)
Personal Experience (Score:2)
DDR and Eye Toy are a bit too difficult for the non-gamer (expecially DDR), since they require quite a bit of coordination.
Sadly Namco says there is no market for it outside Japan, so if you want to play it, you have either to buy the arcade machine or to use the PS2 japanese version.
wrong (Score:1)
You can even use a dance mat if you get a PS2 controller USB adapter such as the ones sold by liksang.com
Re:wrong (Score:2)
DDR is produced by Konami.
By the way, you can play DDR on the PC, and an even better option is Stepmania [stepmania.com]
Re:Personal Experience (Score:1)
Re:Personal Experience (Score:2)
so how many of your friends nodded their heads when they saw your gadgets... and maybe right after they began a gaming spree that lasted until you chased them out of your home.
a few more (Score:3, Informative)
Easy, fun, varied, and pretty games (Score:3, Interesting)
Now she's playing Animal Crossing, and really liking it. She likes all the different things to do, all the interactions, the letter writing, decorating, digging, etc, etc.
Puzzle games as mentioned above are great as well, but I've noticed that once they find a puzzle game the like, they'll only be interested in playing it or something similar.
STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 2 & Howard Dean (Score:2)
Plus, Super Akuma's Raging Demon move is arguably one of the coolest fighting game moves in videogamedom.
And, although this is slightly OT, I feel the need to mention that Howard Dean's YIIIEEAAAAA was very similar to Vega's YIIIEEEAAAA.
Howz about... (Score:1)
Mariokart and Monkey Ball (Score:3, Insightful)
-Sean
Re:Mariokart and Monkey Ball (Score:2)
BTW, the new Mario Kart is just about the same as the old one, there're only one or two minor differences, the game itself is almost exactly the same (modulo new characters and levels).
Re:Mariokart and Monkey Ball (Score:1)
n. A game played on a large outdoor course with a series of 9 or 18 holes spaced far apart, the object being to propel a small, hard ball with the use of various clubs into each hole with as few strokes as possible.
intr.v. golfed, golfing, golfs
To play this game."
Re:Mariokart and Monkey Ball (Score:2)
MarioKart 64 was by far the better game of the two. Crashing actually set you back a lot, and it took skill to hit enemies with items other than a red shell or a star. DoubleDash is party friendly, and newbie-friendly.
Which obviously makes it a better game for non-gamers to get into. But in my mind, not as much fun as Kart64 was and still is.
Let me get this straight (Score:5, Interesting)
RTFA, and also do some thinking. (Score:2)
1) DDR Max 2 is very much a version designed to appeal to more people.
Why? It contains many licenced songs not present in any other DDR game. Songs like Dirty Vegas. In addition, Max 2 in North America has complete music videos in the background, rather than the random prerendered sequences that tend to be with the Japanese songs (try out DDR Extreme JP import to see what I mean). DDR Max 2 is a very unique release; while the gameplay mechanics and some
Re:RTFA, and also do some thinking. (Score:3, Informative)
Re:RTFA, and also do some thinking. (Score:2)
So the PC version of GTA wouldn't interest non-gamers simply because it comes in two boxes and not two?
If they are keeping it to games "of the moment," it is odd that their number one game is the Sims which was relesed much more than 12 months ago. Sure they just released yet another expantion pack, but they didn't mention that. Also the versions of the Sims on consols are different than that on the PC. By your logic they wo
Day of the tentacle (Score:1)
Why? Because it's funny. My GF doesn't get my first person shooters, simulators or strategy games. But she like cartoons.
Everyone I've shown loves it, even though it does have chunky graphics for these days.
Go the tentacle!
Re:Day of the tentacle (Score:1)
Impenetrable? (Score:1)
What, you mean like someone's sister who thought video games were stupid boy things 20 years ago now want to get a computer just for "The Sims"?
You'd be surprised, however, how much people of the fairer sex tend to like You Don't Know Jack or something like Space Channel 5.
Re:Impenetrable? (Score:3, Funny)
If I were you, I probably wouldn't be talking about someone's sister in the same sentence as the word "impenetrable".... just kinda looks bad.
Re:Impenetrable? (Score:2)
Re:Impenetrable? (Score:1)
Re:Impenetrable? (Score:2)
Well, most of my friends that have sisters, I'd consider to be very penetrable... but if I ever said so, I'd get my ass kicked (unless they're a really cool friend who invites me to "break in" their sister). I just thought for reasons of family values and whatnot, I wouldn't remark on anyone's sister being "impenetrable"... it jus
Story games... (Score:3, Interesting)
Long story short, although she's 30, she's now played every Nancy Drew adventure game from Her Interactive. And she's starting to branch out, she just completed Syberia, and likes a few simple "other games" like SuperMonkeyBall, or Mario Kart: Double Dash.
-Jack Ash
Vice City (Score:1, Funny)
Monkey Ball and Mario Party (Score:2, Informative)
convenient!
puzzle pirates (Score:3)
Everquest (Score:4, Interesting)
I know, I know, you think I have lost my mind. As far as learning curves go in computer games, EQ's is pretty steep. Also, it has a reputation as a hardcore gamers obsession.
However, I know many EQ players personally, and I have noticed that those who "succeed" in it are often from seperate peer groups than the veteran gamer:
1. Atheletes - Believe it or not. I know lots of people who play lots of sports, and their competitive nature played well into EQ. Once they learned that this was a way for them to rise above the competition, and get the phat bling-bling, most took off at rocket speed.
2. People with time on their hands - That can be most of us during periods in our life. These are the moms after the kids have flown the coop. They are also the guy who got fired, the couple just trying to stay home and save some money, and the teenager counting the days till graduation and escape.
3. Anyone with more than 0.001% obsessive-compulsive behavior.
My point is I know many, many people who never played a computer game more complex than minesweeper, and then found themselves serving up an 8 hour day behind an EQ avatar.
I do not recommend you buy a copy for Grandma though, unless you are desperate to cease her meddling.
Pel
Unreal Tournament. (Score:2)
Reasons UT is good:
Easy (people move slower than most FPS games, so aiming is not impossible)
Polished & Friendly (heroic-looking characters and techno music, not loud heavy metal and psychopathic characters - good for get
Re:Unreal Tournament. (Score:2)
Story and fun (Score:3, Interesting)
With Morrowind, I'm pretty convinced it's the open storyline along with how tangible the entire world is. She's like a 5 year old (or an engineer?) sometimes, she wants to play with every little button and device she can find.
GTA is just get away fun...where else can you drive realistic cars at breakneck speeds and cap people without worry?
--trb
Re:Story and fun (Score:3, Insightful)
I wouldn't actually say that these games are so diametrically opposed. If you look at them both, they are both games with an underlying mission, but with the freedom to interact with the world however you like. Sure - the interaction is very different in the two games, but they both give you a lot of freedom to do your own thing, whilst still giving you a more focused objective which you c
Space Channel 5, Samba de Amigo, Taiko no Tatsujin (Score:2, Informative)
Great party game (Score:3, Informative)
Rollercoaster Tycoon (Score:2)
A long time ago, she enjoyed playing the adventure games - King's Quest, etc.
Pointless list, yet misses the point (Score:4, Insightful)
As I was working my way through the top 10, I kept expecting to see Animal Crossing somewhere in there, but it was nowhere to be found. It is without a doubt the number one game to enthrall non-gamers. I speak from experience as it rapidly had my mother and my sister playing, and neither of them had ever played a console game before in their lives (and I do own other games from that list).
I don't think many of the games on the list would appeal to people who have never before played a game, although many of them would appeal to casual gamers. I don't see how racing games, fighting games, shooting games, sports games etc... will suddenly appeal to people who weren't interested in playing those games a year ago, five years ago, or ten years ago - they aren't a new idea or genre.
While I can accept that Gamespy have listed some of the best racing games (eg Mario Kart), some of the best FPS games (eg Counter Strike) or one of the best sports games (eg Madden) they have only listed one or two simple and innovative games, that might attract someone who hasn't been interested by the normal fare.
The only four games I see on the Gamespy list that might attract new players is the Eye-toy (although I think that it is something that will only capture attention for a short period of time), Karaoke Revolution, Dance-Dance, and the Sims.
Animal Crossing is a glaring exception - not only did my mother start playing it, but she is still doing so 6 months down the track. However Animal Crossing is not the only exception - there are many other games suited to the list, for example nearly any web-based puzzle game, or new games like Donkey Konga.
Snood shuts down the workplace (Score:2, Insightful)
Easy, Fun, Interesting (Score:2, Interesting)
For all those complaining about games missing (Score:3, Insightful)
Is this ethical? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Is this ethical? (Score:1)
Myself, I didn't get past Soul Calibur on the list before I realized the list was pure crap. Just another Top Ten list fabricated because they had nothing new to report. These top tens are not scientific, rarely involve polling, and polling on the internet only gets the "subgrou
Re:Is this ethical? (Score:1)
As long as she allows me to spend an entire Xmas week at her family's house playing KOTOR (I swear I logged in about 50 hours in some 6 days I was there), we'll be fine.
And then, there was a documentary about EQ, and this guy with kids was videotaped during the day. He was looking after a 4-yea
Re:Is this ethical? (Score:1)
Quick little games (Score:2, Interesting)
If you don't feel like googling, the same game is a game in which you remove groups of two or more objects of the same color connected to each other, after they are removed the objects above them fall down. Tricky strategies involve getting all of one color at once, without losing to
Re:Quick little games (Score:2)
Plus chicks love it: It has Jewels!!!
easy yet competitive and criminally addictive (Score:1)
Wario Ware (Score:1)
tranquility (Score:2)
It's so much the "anti-game" that we've got more non-gamers playing than anyone else.
Much of our email feedback tells us that. We get a lot of comments like: "I don't normally play
video games, but tranquility is great, I just had to write you...".
Over one third of our players are women. In fact, the big hole in our demographic seems to
be where other computer games are popular. Guys under 20 just don't get us at all.
We are also very big with technical pro
Monkey Ball, every time. (Score:5, Funny)
Having said that, try explaining the Monkey Bowling mode to a novice...
"Okay, there'll be a bouncing line - don't press A yet, or... okay, you pressed it, no problem - there's the line. You have to stop it in the middle. Just press A.... you've only got a few seconds. Don't panic! Right, you've stopped it at the side, you'll start rolling in a second or so - you'll need to spin in the opposite direction. Use the shoulder button. No, the shoulder button. Before you cross that line! Oh, see, you span the wrong way. Your monkey's dead."
(Trying to explain it beforehand is even worse, by the way).
Re:Monkey Ball, every time. (Score:2)
-prator
Re:Monkey Ball, every time. (Score:2)
I'm assuming you were playing Monkey Bowling.
Re:Monkey Ball, every time. (Score:2)
Oh dear. Now I want to play Super Monkey Ball. But I must finish Metroid Prime first (never got around to that before and it was pissing me off), then Prince of Persia... SMB kinda monopolized my life for three-ish weeks when I got it...
My opininon (Score:2)
RPGs: I would suggest something pretty straightforward, I concur on Chrono Trigger, maybe Final Fantasy III (US)
PC FPS: Doom or Counterstrike. CS tends to be favored by a lot of people who don't play a lot of other FPS games for some reason.
And then there's always Tetris.
This article completely misses the point. (Score:3, Insightful)
1. Don't realize there are good plots out there. It certainly could happen. The pure dumb fun of Vice City gets played up, while the homages to Scarface and Miami Vice, and the game's dark humor, get played down. Games like DOOM get all the attention, while games like The Getaway and Beyond Good and Evil get swept under the rug. Even absurdly popular games like MGS and the Final Fantasy series get little or no attention from the non-game media.
2. Some adjustment to the controls is required. For somebody who has never used a gamepad before, the first time can be awkward, annoying, and extremely difficult. This can, in some cases, turn a person away from gaming, and it takes some persistence to get that person to adjust to a controller.
3. Or maybe they just never really got into it. Let's face it, there are people out there who have other things they have to take care of, and other people who just aren't willing to fork over the money for what can be a pretty expensive hobby.
So, what's the solution? Well, for 3, maybe it's best to find some free time that person has, and try to make him/her sit down, shut up, and play. 2, same thing, but it's going to require a lot of persistence, and keeping that person at the game for a while. Games like Soul Caliber II are good for that person, because button mashing still works. Sometimes, it's probably not even worth it, however, if the person can't adjust. As for 1, the solution is relatively simple; show them games like The Getaway, MGS, FF X, etc., maybe bring up your favorite cutscenes if you can find them.
Remember, this is just the short list; I realize there a lot of other reasons why somebody wouldn't be a gamer.
TetriNET is the answer (Score:2)
I was expecting to play some Quake 3 and Warcraft, but instead, the all-powerful game of the night was TetriNET.
There were people playing that that NEVER EVER play video games (including my girlfriend). And they played for 9 straight hours.
Pretty Nuts!
Soul Calibur and tekken (Score:1)
non-gamer guests (Score:1)
Virtua Tennis (Score:2, Interesting)
Nice work with Karaoke (Score:2, Interesting)
My girlfriend..... (Score:2, Funny)
these guys are too hardcore to know ... (Score:3, Informative)
madden 2004 a 'gateway' to getting non gamers to play a game? thats gotta be the joke entry, right? the game is pretty damn complicated, and i cant see how people that arent used to games that just want something 'simple' are going to be able to get into it at all. maybe the gamespy guys really liked it, but that obviously doesnt mean that non-games will, in fact, its probably the complete opposite.
the GTA games also require a lot more skill than people think. sure, its fun to bash around and stuff, but actually try and do a mission. it would be much better to do what i do with my brother, who rarely plays games, just let him load up my save after ive finished it and unlocked everything 100% (so he has immediate access to all the weapons etc), and then just let him run riot.
wario ware? a game where you have 3 seconds to complete you objectives on the fly without a pause? if i gave that to my girlfriend her game would be over in 9 seconds and she would be handing my GBA back with a WTF? look on her face.
counter strike? hahahahahaha whatever. these guys smoke some wicked crack sometimes. try quake3 on the easiest bot level or something. maybe once they can beat the bots on hard after 5 years they might then be ready to play online. you may want to repeatedly abuse them in the background while they practise as well. you know, just to get them ready for the experience online.
and with no animal crossing the list might as well not exist. its almost like they didnt put it in there so they would get attention.
Diablo, Myst, Civilisation (Score:1)
Diablo (II specifically). Pointlessly simple interface, familiar fantasy type themes, nice graphics, plenty of lush feedback (sound, animation, etc). Good but simple story line.
Myst (all three). Again, simple to play, not real-time so easy to learn how to use. Nice eye candy.
Civilisation (III specifically). Turn based. Probably way too complex to start with, but again, the lack of real-time elements made it more approachable.
The Longest Journey (Score:3, Informative)
There's really only one puzzle that is sort of tough to solve, but even then, it's hardly frustrating.
Adventure games should be like that, I think... just a fun storyline and a few puzzles along the way.