Game for a Skeptic

Seventy-five percent of American “gamers” — people who play video games — are older than 18 and nevertheless are allowed to vote.- George Will

The point of this thread isn't a quote from a blathering windbag but along the same line. This industry has become massive, yet despite billions in revenue and a ever-broadening array of users you're bound to encounter cynics who cluck thier tongue at adults mashing buttons. Understandable in some ways, it's a constantly changing medium and many people are only aware of it through advertising or from childhood.

Say you have the chance to sit a non-gamer down and show them one title. What would it be and why? It can reflect your personal position in the hobby, perhaps what you see as the potential of video games....or hell, you can scar them with Toilet Kids :) .

If I'm given the opportunity to describe the game and give it context, the obvious political and philosophical overtones of Bioshock probably make it an easy sell as far as artistic merit, but without that due context the on-screen violence might obscure that.

Something like Neverhood, Machinarium, or even Myst is the kind of thing you can sell to a non-gamer because they are these thinly veiled art projects that are immediately engrossing because of their worlds that beg to be explored. These games also work because a non-gamer can play them without the need for skills developed over time as a gamer.

If you self-describe as a "gamer", I agree with George Will.

Dead or Alive 4. Teamxbox.com states that "Team Ninja have created a true work of art", and gives it 9.1/10.

I'd show them Citizen Kane.


wait fuck

I think we should make a game for these people. It will be a point and click adventure. Its about a film student that is trying to make some blah de blah arthouse blah blah one speed bicycle. Blah de derp coffehouse, derp macbook....

Needs more beret.....Ill get back to you on a script.

Modern Warfare 2 or Forza Motorsport 3

Because both are grounded in realism, contains content and imagery that are more identifiable and relatable by the mainstream public, and would likely appeal to someone like that dude.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Something like Neverhood, Machinarium, or even Myst is the kind of thing you can sell to a non-gamer because they are these thinly veiled art projects that are immediately engrossing because of their worlds that beg to be explored. These games also work because a non-gamer can play them without the need for skills developed over time as a gamer.

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Kinda in line with my thoughts on Shadow of the Colossus. For a 3D title the controls are simple yet effective and the screen is mostly free of menus and bars. The world is open and inviting to explore, but the main goal is straight forward and easy to focus on. The little narrative involved is a twist on the "save the princess" concept and doled out in the right doses.

I dunno... I LIKE games and SOTC puts me to sleep.

You will likely repel those critical of video games by showing them games rooted in fantasy/saturated with fantasy elements because of the assocation those elements generally have with childhood entertainment.