Parents interested in gaming...

[zerogear]

As topic, I gave a them a new machine (Q6600/4GB/8600GT), and was wondering what are some good games to start them off with? Preferably non-FPS and more strategy oriented. I was thinking Rise of Nations or such?

 

[Bateluer]

Need more information. What do they like? What have they been interested in in the past?

If they like Rise of Nations, then I'd introduce them to the Age of Empires series, the Civilization series, and the Total War series.

 

[AVP]

My mom hates games and the fact that I game and she thought portal was very cool.

 

[KeithP]

A lot of "casual" gamers seem to like the Sims games. Portal or World of Goo over on steam might work as well.

-Keith

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Need more information. What do they like? What have they been interested in in the past?

If they like Rise of Nations, then I'd introduce them to the Age of Empires series, the Civilization series, and the Total War series.

They've traditionally been a non-gamer, so I would say something to get them hooked or even just to waste a few hours time, but none twitch action/skill based. I would think anything from strategy where you can dive in directly and quit at any time you want.

 

[Schadenfroh]

My father and I used to play CS together against bots. But, if he dislikes FPShooters, StarCraft is always a good start.

If you want something slower, then turn based games are the way to go, like the Civilization series.

 

[BladeVenom]

Women seem to like the Sims series, Nancy Drew series, card games, word games, and other casual games. A fair amount of women also like RPGs. I don't know any older women who like shooter, but several younger women do. I don't know any women who like strategy games.

More variety of games for men, so hard to say unless I know the person.

 

[BlueWeasel]

My Mom loves Bejeweled 2 and I can't pull my wife away from Zuma.

 

[Skott]

My dad, 80 yrs old, likes puzzles. By that I mean jigsaw puzzles only done on the PC. Not technically gaming but he likes it and he's never been one fond of the traditional puzzles that come in a box. Go figure. There are some software that'll let you take any picture and turn it into a puzzle. My Mother likes the solve mystery type games. She also likes to play Yahtzee on the PC. If they like board games of the past good chance a PC version exists as well. Plenty of card games for the PC as well if they have ever enjoyed playing cards.

 

[Nohr]

The parents of a friend of mine are in their 70s and they can't stop playing Bejeweled 2 & Bejeweled Twist. Even their relatives play and hog the computer when they visit.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Peggle, World of Goo, Bejeweled 2

 

[biostud]

Adventure games, Sherlock Holmes?

 

[Ganeedi]

OP: How old are your parents? Are they into boardgames? How about sports?

My dad (70) has been playing XCOM for 10 years. He also enjoyed the Jagged Alliance games, Civilization series, and Fallout Tactics. He cant get into the complex shooters or RPGs.

Edit: oops thought you were talking about your kids when i first posted!

 

[sandorski]

Bejeweled 2 is a great game. I third this recommendation. Civ and those types of games might interest your father if he likes Chess and is willing to learn.

 

[DSF]

I would think World of Goo should go over well.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: Ganeedi
OP: How old are your parents? Are they into boardgames? How about sports?

My dad (70) has been playing XCOM for 10 years. He also enjoyed the Jagged Alliance games, Civilization series, and Fallout Tactics. He cant get into the complex shooters or RPGs.

Edit: oops thought you were talking about your kids when i first posted!

They're in their early 50s

 

[drebo]

Originally posted by: Ganeedi
complex shooters

Now there's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one.

 

[AmberClad]

My suggestions:
- Viva Pinata
- any of the Tycoon games
- adventure games maybe?

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: Ganeedi
complex shooters

Now there's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one.

Rainbow Six? Ghost Recon? Operation Flashpoint?

 

[cronos]

start simple with something from Popcap. Bejeweled, Zuma, Peggle, etc. They are more 'skill' oriented than 'strategy' but are easy enough to get new gamers hooked.

 

[Ganeedi]

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: drebo

Originally posted by: Ganeedi
complex shooters

Now there's an oxymoron if I've ever seen one.

Rainbow Six? Ghost Recon? Operation Flashpoint?

Exactly.

My dad enjoyed Call of Duty 1&2 and Medal of Honor series (simple controls, interested in WW2).

HalfLife1 - not so much due to the "weird puzzles" as he put it. Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon - forget about it.

He enjoys the complex turn based games. But add realtime and it needs to be simple.

 

[xCxStylex]

As many of the people have said before, Sims games and also Peggle IMO. Ive never played bejeweled, but a simple puzzle game would be good also.

 

[Manticorps]

I'd suggest pretty much any of the Popcap games for nearly anyone. They're simple to learn, and quite a bit of fun. Puzzlequest is fun as well. Not knowing your parents, it's difficult to make suggestions. I can't get my retired father to like anything other than "FreeCell". I know several people your parents age, or older, that enjoy EQ2. If they're willing to learn, turn based strategy games, such as Heroes of Might and Magic, Age of Wonders, Civilization IV; might be good.

 

[fivetiger]

Sid Meier's Pirates! maybe.

 

[HeXploiT]

I bought my Mom bookworm adventures deluxe for Christmas and she's hooked.

 

[Superrock]

Puzzle games like bejeweled, tetris, bustamove, world of goo, and even solitaire. The original GTA was pretty fun also.

The best RTS is starcraft. Your dad may like that one.