Old people like video games?

Cicatriz

Cicatriz

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Alright here is my predicament. I want to get my father into video games, mainly because he's been trapped inside his house for... almost 12 years, about half my life. He has some really bad allergies and can't go outside unless it's the winter. It's obvious that he needs something to get him through being cooped up inside, he sold his business and has nothing to do but listen to politics and get worked up about 'em.

So my question goes out to those that might know what would be some good choices.

He won't be into the FPSs or anything. He needs something intellectually stimulating and/or something that has a vast community of people to talk to. I was thinking about checking out Second Life and seeing if that might be a good fit, I've heard people teach courses (even colleges do), people create things, and things of that sort.

So right now that's what I'm thinking, but if anyone can give me some information about Second Life or any other games that I might be able to ease him into it'd be greatly appreciated.
 
I used to do computer tutoring for old people and I went over to this guys help because he plays games for hand therapy, I go over and was pleased to find he was playing BF1942, and hes about 75 :D


Also, more on topic, have him get world of goo, great really fun puzzle game granted there is no community of people, it gets the brain goin tho
 
Try him on some basic puzzle games, or something like Peggle.

Remember, keep it simple at first.
Don't throw anything like Portal where you have to take into account aim, movement, physics, and timing. Start with just mental puzzles, and then move onto the more kinetic ones.
 
Driving simulators....that's the only game genre my dad enjoys: easy to learn controls and fun to play.
 
Eve Online


it has a community in the hundred thousands, no fast movement controls, and a lot of help available. There is a 14 day free trial on the website too ( normally it costs 15$ a month, but you can actually pay that fee using in game money) The learning curve may take a few days to get over, but once you do, its pretty fun
 
i dont think your dad will really like the community of WoW...its prertty bad...
maybe try everquest 2 or like black said eve....both are mush more masure mmorpg.
 
The thing is I need to EASE him into video games. I know he already doesn't like them because I play them "too often". So I don't think games like World Of Warcraft wouldn't be good. I mean in time I hope I can introduce things like that to him or hopefully one day he will look for different games.

I'm thinking it's gotta be something simple, something not to "video gamey", if you know what I'm trying to get at.


Again, thanks for the help.
 
Some suggestions: (The same thing works with a girlfriend or a younger person)

Mario
The Sims
Online Poker?
Pinball
Peggle Extreme (or any other variants)
Or basically any arcade game.

Good luck!
 
My Aunt's friend play games and he is probably around his 30s, he has a CRAPLOAD of games, and a REALLY, REALLY, good computer, so your dad should play some games that is FPS or something that might catch his attention.
 
Maybe he could try Defcon? Its based off of the movie War Games and has pretty simple controls and graphical interface. The demo is still out on steam and the actual game is only $10 if decides to buy it. Its a pretty small game in regards to playing time, but may be a good starter.
 
I would suggest for something intelligent
Myst
Riven (Myst 2)

And for something social
The Sims 2 (Very good for making stuff)
 
While I'm sure my dad is different from you, I wonder if this might help.

My dad loves RTS. He is mid-50's and plays C&C Generals Zero Hour every day. I've also got him into Rome: Total War and he even likes Battlestations: Midway, even if he forgets the controls if he doesn't play it for a week.

If your dad is into history like mine then I would suspect he will love something historical.
 
i would give him some basic card games first. then try him out on stuff from like pop cap. bejeweled zuma super collapse etc. and then he can kind of learn what he likes to play. there is lots of stuff for free on the net to get him started. then buy a couple of cheap games from walmart or bestbuy. he may never get into fps but there is tons of other stuff out there that he might like. <3
 
How about SPORE? I've heard it's pretty fun, and since it goes at your own pace, he'll have plenty of time to get a hang of things.

And usually parents say you play games "too much" if they feel like you spend time on games that you should spend with them. If you get him into something like DOD or TF2, I'm sure he would say that far less often as you'd be playing with him. And who knows, maybe getting headshots on your dad will lead to a bonding experience.
 
Tell him to buy a ps3 and download Playstation Home... he can talk to a lot of people there... :D
 
xplag said:
How about SPORE? I've heard it's pretty fun, and since it goes at your own pace, he'll have plenty of time to get a hang of things.

And usually parents say you play games "too much" if they feel like you spend time on games that you should spend with them. If you get him into something like DOD or TF2, I'm sure he would say that far less often as you'd be playing with him. And who knows, maybe getting headshots on your dad will lead to a bonding experience.
Click to expand...

No spore. Just.

NO.
 
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