It all depends on the female! I find that the girls who like games are also the ones who enjoy playing more conventional games, ie. board and card games - they enjoy the social interaction and somewhat pride themselves on the competition - yes, girls are very competetive too!
My current girlfriend enjoys playing The Sims, because it lets her act out her fantasy of having a beautiful house, and she loves the social interaction with the NPC's. We even play together, and have had a lot of fun with each other playing that game. When I got an Xbox, she loved playing Hunter, The Reckoning with me, because we could both kick ass co-operatively - and I guess I am blessed in the fact that my girl doesn't mind gore all that much:) She also loves challenging me to a game of Super Puzzle Fighter 2 and these matches get quite heated, and we have a blast making fun of the Japanese shouts as we unleash massive combos on each other. She also loves watching me play Genma Onimusha, and when a part comes up where there's a puzzle box, she's all over it! She is by no means as much of a game "geek" as I am, but it seems that the games she enjoys most are ones we can do together, or the ones with social interaction. The only games she really likes playing solo are Hoyle's Card/Word/Board Games, but then again she loves playing board and card games with a big group of people.
My ex wife used to love playing Rayman on the PSX, she loved the challenge of beating new levels - but she was addicted to playing Acrophobia, the social interaction and acronym solving hooked her for hours at a time.
My friend's wife loves playing RPG's (this coming from a girl you would NEVER expect to play video games) mostly because of the story line and the melodrama.
I have found that most girls are turned off by the mass amounts of blood, gore, and testosterone induced FPS games. Halo and the like are of absolutely NO interest to her, and she laughs at how us guys get so into playing those kind of games. Guys prefer the domination and humiliation of completely destroying their fellow friend in a death match, the thrill of the kill and the constantly honing of skills is as addicting as crack. Girl's on the other hand enjoy more of a subtle domination, where instead of quick killer reflexes they flex their brain and choose to conquer intellectually, and again they prefer the social setting.
Calling Halo "just" an FPS is insulting! The amount of immersion into the Halo universe is absolutely stunning. Fighting along side the other marines gave a real sense of realism to the genre - not to mention the seamless integration of vehicles into the game. I've become plenty bored with other FPS in the past, at least Halo has the depth to keep you along for the ride.
It took me a while to get used to it as well, but within about an hour or so it becomes like an extension of your own hand, it feels great. On the other hand, those vehicles were a pain in the ass and took me a bit longer, but now that I'm comfortable with driving them I've found that they have an incredible control scheme - it just takes time to get used to.
I purchased an Xbox with that same assumption, but was pleasantly suprised at how much time was consumed by the other games. THPS3, DOA3, RalliSport Challenge, JSRF, Max Payne, Genma Onimushi.. etc. It's been the second best console I've ever owned (RIP DC) but it's on it's way to #1 with the amount of four star titles to be released this year. I just rented Morrowind and all I can say is wow.. massive worlds.. non-linear.. not your typical Japanese RPG:)
Just out of curiousity, why is there so much backlash against the Xbox? "insert how long I've been playing video games in here and consoles I've owned since I was 5" and I'm having a great time. My not so game suave friends also fell in love with Halo and we've had a few beer n' halo nights all glued to the big screen. Yeah, if I could afford to upgrade my PC every 6 months I would - but I did a lot of research before I bought an X and have not been disappointed once since, it's simply the best bang for your buck you can get.
It's not like purchasing a car, it's a goddamned $200 console. This is a very minor investment in entertainment.
First time posting on slashdot and it's ironic that I make such a noob mistake.. hell I think it's time for that cigarette break anyway:) Off the record i would have flamed me too!
Warez is an unhealthy, addictive practice that feeds the obsessive compulsive nature to own for the sake of having. You try to stop but the lure of free games is too intoxicating to let go.
When I bought the Dreamcast at launch, I bought all original games and it had been the first time since the SNES that I remembered the pride of ownership that can come from owning an actual game. I played through those 10 games until completion, discovering every little secret, every little trick - which resulted in a very satisfactory experience that justified the actual game cost. As soon as Utopia entered the scene and opened up the flood of releases I was drunk off of desire to own.. everything. I spent more time downloading, copying, researching, keeping up with the scene than I did actually playing. Yes, my library was impressive but the fun factor was killed. I would brag to my friends and watch as they stared at my collection in awe, but I had lost my desire to play my Dreamcast. Besides playing through to completion several of the better games I simply lost interest in video games. I remember flipping through my two 200 cd binders looking for a game to play, then being so uninspired from the gaming experience - closed them shut and went back to my collecting.
I finally decided to purchase an Xbox a month ago, and it was nice to get that sense of pride back again - taking the smooth, heavy black machine out of the packing plastic and foam. Untying the small twist ties on the controller, and shuffling through the manuals and subscription cards. Hooking it up to my television and just beaming with energy, knowing I was in for the best console gaming had to offer. I already knew about the fact it had been hacked, but I held off from the deadly cycle and instead chose to purchase an actual game. I made a silent oath to myself that I would not purchase another game until I either beat the game, played all the way through - or got my value in one way or the other, so I would not be back in the same dillemna as before - countless titles but no desire to play. Instead of being just mediocre at a slew of games, becoming a master a select bunch.
The Xbox homebrew scene is more exciting then ever, with news every day on the development front. I am more excited about DiVX;), linux and emulation of the machine than I am with the actual piracy of games - but still I can feel that draw inside of me.. to aquire.. the lure of ripping games with Evo-X - and it's a struggle against my own will in a fight to preserve the gaming experience.
On a side note, I have also recently been purchasing music cd's for the first time in 2-3 years - but only from the bands I truly love and support. It is a much more visceral experience pulling out a fully decorated disc/packaging than surfing through my truckload of blanks with the uninspired sharpie marker labels.
I believe by actually purchasing games/music CD's you love and enjoy, you are in a way associating as belonging to a special club - the pride of knowing that you are in support and stand by a certain game, developer or artist. And it also mentions to others a certain sense of character, and gives people a bit of insight into your style and values.
Warez addiction, simply put, is media gluttony. Too much of anything can kill the feeling, and remove desire and anticipation - two of the key factors in determining an object's value. I am not saying I'm anti-piracy, because my actions still show otherwise - but it's not to say I've given serious thought to the issue many, many times. I encourage everyone who is stuck in the sludge of mass piracy to take a minute of self reflection and ask yourself how much value and enjoyment you are getting from your entertainment, and how much more you could get if your focus wasn't on simply aquiring as much as possible.
Slashdot Mirror
It all depends on the female! I find that the girls who like games are also the ones who enjoy playing more conventional games, ie. board and card games - they enjoy the social interaction and somewhat pride themselves on the competition - yes, girls are very competetive too!
:) She also loves challenging me to a game of Super Puzzle Fighter 2 and these matches get quite heated, and we have a blast making fun of the Japanese shouts as we unleash massive combos on each other. She also loves watching me play Genma Onimusha, and when a part comes up where there's a puzzle box, she's all over it! She is by no means as much of a game "geek" as I am, but it seems that the games she enjoys most are ones we can do together, or the ones with social interaction. The only games she really likes playing solo are Hoyle's Card/Word/Board Games, but then again she loves playing board and card games with a big group of people.
:)
My current girlfriend enjoys playing The Sims, because it lets her act out her fantasy of having a beautiful house, and she loves the social interaction with the NPC's. We even play together, and have had a lot of fun with each other playing that game. When I got an Xbox, she loved playing Hunter, The Reckoning with me, because we could both kick ass co-operatively - and I guess I am blessed in the fact that my girl doesn't mind gore all that much
My ex wife used to love playing Rayman on the PSX, she loved the challenge of beating new levels - but she was addicted to playing Acrophobia, the social interaction and acronym solving hooked her for hours at a time.
My friend's wife loves playing RPG's (this coming from a girl you would NEVER expect to play video games) mostly because of the story line and the melodrama.
I have found that most girls are turned off by the mass amounts of blood, gore, and testosterone induced FPS games. Halo and the like are of absolutely NO interest to her, and she laughs at how us guys get so into playing those kind of games. Guys prefer the domination and humiliation of completely destroying their fellow friend in a death match, the thrill of the kill and the constantly honing of skills is as addicting as crack. Girl's on the other hand enjoy more of a subtle domination, where instead of quick killer reflexes they flex their brain and choose to conquer intellectually, and again they prefer the social setting.
Play together, Stay together!
Calling Halo "just" an FPS is insulting! The amount of immersion into the Halo universe is absolutely stunning. Fighting along side the other marines gave a real sense of realism to the genre - not to mention the seamless integration of vehicles into the game. I've become plenty bored with other FPS in the past, at least Halo has the depth to keep you along for the ride.
It took me a while to get used to it as well, but within about an hour or so it becomes like an extension of your own hand, it feels great. On the other hand, those vehicles were a pain in the ass and took me a bit longer, but now that I'm comfortable with driving them I've found that they have an incredible control scheme - it just takes time to get used to.
I purchased an Xbox with that same assumption, but was pleasantly suprised at how much time was consumed by the other games. THPS3, DOA3, RalliSport Challenge, JSRF, Max Payne, Genma Onimushi.. etc. It's been the second best console I've ever owned (RIP DC) but it's on it's way to #1 with the amount of four star titles to be released this year. I just rented Morrowind and all I can say is wow.. massive worlds.. non-linear.. not your typical Japanese RPG :)
Just out of curiousity, why is there so much backlash against the Xbox? "insert how long I've been playing video games in here and consoles I've owned since I was 5" and I'm having a great time. My not so game suave friends also fell in love with Halo and we've had a few beer n' halo nights all glued to the big screen. Yeah, if I could afford to upgrade my PC every 6 months I would - but I did a lot of research before I bought an X and have not been disappointed once since, it's simply the best bang for your buck you can get.
It's not like purchasing a car, it's a goddamned $200 console. This is a very minor investment in entertainment.
First time posting on slashdot and it's ironic that I make such a noob mistake.. hell I think it's time for that cigarette break anyway :) Off the record i would have flamed me too!
Warez is an unhealthy, addictive practice that feeds the obsessive compulsive nature to own for the sake of having. You try to stop but the lure of free games is too intoxicating to let go. When I bought the Dreamcast at launch, I bought all original games and it had been the first time since the SNES that I remembered the pride of ownership that can come from owning an actual game. I played through those 10 games until completion, discovering every little secret, every little trick - which resulted in a very satisfactory experience that justified the actual game cost. As soon as Utopia entered the scene and opened up the flood of releases I was drunk off of desire to own.. everything. I spent more time downloading, copying, researching, keeping up with the scene than I did actually playing. Yes, my library was impressive but the fun factor was killed. I would brag to my friends and watch as they stared at my collection in awe, but I had lost my desire to play my Dreamcast. Besides playing through to completion several of the better games I simply lost interest in video games. I remember flipping through my two 200 cd binders looking for a game to play, then being so uninspired from the gaming experience - closed them shut and went back to my collecting. I finally decided to purchase an Xbox a month ago, and it was nice to get that sense of pride back again - taking the smooth, heavy black machine out of the packing plastic and foam. Untying the small twist ties on the controller, and shuffling through the manuals and subscription cards. Hooking it up to my television and just beaming with energy, knowing I was in for the best console gaming had to offer. I already knew about the fact it had been hacked, but I held off from the deadly cycle and instead chose to purchase an actual game. I made a silent oath to myself that I would not purchase another game until I either beat the game, played all the way through - or got my value in one way or the other, so I would not be back in the same dillemna as before - countless titles but no desire to play. Instead of being just mediocre at a slew of games, becoming a master a select bunch. The Xbox homebrew scene is more exciting then ever, with news every day on the development front. I am more excited about DiVX ;), linux and emulation of the machine than I am with the actual piracy of games - but still I can feel that draw inside of me.. to aquire.. the lure of ripping games with Evo-X - and it's a struggle against my own will in a fight to preserve the gaming experience.
On a side note, I have also recently been purchasing music cd's for the first time in 2-3 years - but only from the bands I truly love and support. It is a much more visceral experience pulling out a fully decorated disc/packaging than surfing through my truckload of blanks with the uninspired sharpie marker labels.
I believe by actually purchasing games/music CD's you love and enjoy, you are in a way associating as belonging to a special club - the pride of knowing that you are in support and stand by a certain game, developer or artist. And it also mentions to others a certain sense of character, and gives people a bit of insight into your style and values.
Warez addiction, simply put, is media gluttony. Too much of anything can kill the feeling, and remove desire and anticipation - two of the key factors in determining an object's value. I am not saying I'm anti-piracy, because my actions still show otherwise - but it's not to say I've given serious thought to the issue many, many times. I encourage everyone who is stuck in the sludge of mass piracy to take a minute of self reflection and ask yourself how much value and enjoyment you are getting from your entertainment, and how much more you could get if your focus wasn't on simply aquiring as much as possible.