Getting your non-gaming partner to join you in your hobby can be a challenge. If you want to know how to pick a game successfully, all you need is some understanding, patience, and a passion for videogames.
Stay Away From Hyper-Competitive Games with Steep Learning Curves
Basically, there is nothing attractive about getting your face beat, and if you subject your partner to a hyper competitive game, that is exactly what is going to happen. Remember how much fun DotA or League of Legends was before you knew anything about the game? Wasn’t Counterstrike fun when you didn’t know how to aim? Starcraft was amazing when I didn’t know how to que build orders. Basically, any competitive game takes time, patience, and energy to learn. Just because you had the time, dedication, and stubborness to hone your 180 headshot wtfbbq moves, doesn’t mean others do. Most people don’t.
Subjecting your partner to such a competitive game will be the opposite of fun. They will lose a lot. Ideally, you want to pick a game that is fairly easy to understand and pick up.
Also, you releasing your inner Indra rage against the newbs you pwn online is never flattering.
Think Twice About First Person Shooters But Embrace Walking Simulators
Navigating 3D spaces with mouse and keyboard or dual stick controllers can get tricky. It is second nature to most of us but for people who are inexperienced in videogames, it can be disorienting. This makes the game much less accessible, even if it is a simple game. Secondly, most shooters are competitive by nature which goes against point 1. Walking simulators and the like are an exception, mainly due to their slow pace and lack of imminent danger. This gives your partner some time to get used to the controls. Additionally, since there is no generally no shooting or fast moving targets, it removes the need for precision and creates a calm rather than hectic space.
Walking simulators are a great genre to game together with. They are generally based around exploration, are immersive, and even though they are single player, can be experienced together like old adventure games.
Stop Thinking About What You Like
Chances are that whatever game(s) you have in mind for you and your partner to play together are completely wrong. Often, whether it is about videogames or something else, we tend to want to share what we like, rather than thinking about what someone else likes. It can be hard to think about what games a non-gamer would like, but there are some guidelines you can follow. Generally, you want games that are simple to learn, easy to jump in and out of (or play in chunks), and entertaining for both of you at the same time.
Other considerations include art style, theme, and story. This is also a great way for you to break out of your comfort zone and try games
How to Pick a Game? Sound Enthusiastic, Make It Special
Of course, the whole reason you want to play a game with your husband or wife is because you want to share your hobby and bond over it. It’s an activity for getting closer and building a shared experience, right? If not, you might want to reconsider why you want to play a game with them in the first place.
Anyway, now that we have that out of the way, you have thought hard and picked the perfect game for you two to play, you just have to convince them to play with you. Enthusiasm is contagious and making it special to your relationship makes it more attractive for your partner to join you. The game you picked should have been thoughtful, and by explaining how and why the game made you think of him or her, shows thought and caring.
What games have you played with your non-gaming partner? And was it a good experience?
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