Get Your Girlfriend to Play Video Games

Many men will be forced, at some point, to part with their beloved game console by supreme order of their female companions. This can be avoided using proven game system/girlfriend social activities to gradually introduce gaming culture to your loved one and vice versa. Make gaming an activity you both enjoy! Note: there are no guarantees that she will enjoy it. Don't be mad at her if she doesn't.

Steps

Convincing Her to Play

  1. Find out if she has ever played video games. She may not be a full-blown gamer, but perhaps she played Mario games when she was younger. Maybe she likes playing an Internet game from time to time. If you know her gaming history, you'll have a better chance of finding a game she'll enjoy now.
  2. Present it as quality time. Remind your girlfriend that if you both play video games, you'll be able to spend even more quality time together. However, be aware that it will only count as quality time if she actually does enjoy it, so try not to force an argument about this.
  3. Disguise it as exercise. If you have a Wii fit, you can make video game playing part of an exercise routine that the both of you can do together. This is one of your best bets to help her find a game she not only enjoys, but will want to play with you as well.
  4. Buy her video game items. There are plenty of video game accessories you could buy her that are also stylish. Tetris bracelets or Mario mushroom earrings are both good options for this.
  5. Make a trade. In the initial stages of trying to get her to play video games, you might have to compromise. Offer to take her out to dinner or watch one of her favorite romantic comedies in exchange.

Playing Video Games Together

  1. Choose a Video Game she might like. Odds are she won't like a gruesome first-person shooter game, so use your best judgment on this.
    • Try to choose a game or game system that isn't too confusing and doesn't require short reaction time. Many non-gamers are intimidated by button combinations.
    • If you can, get a game that is multi-player or, optimally, co-op.
    • Consider your girlfriend's personality when picking out a game. Some girls may prefer the brightly colored, all-ages games like Katamari Damacy, Bust A Move, Lego Star Wars, Sims, or just about any Mario game. In general, girls go more for games that involve good characterization and dramatic plotlines. Even a modicum of these factors can make a game a lot more appealing. Persona games are great in terms of good plotlines.
    • Don't get games that involve things like strippers, prostitutes and sex. Unless she has a sense of humor about such things, she probably won't like it.
  2. Show her the controls. Put your hands over hers and perform basic actions in the game for her to start out. Once her muscles get used to moving with yours, you can move on to having her do it herself. Be patient, she won't pick the controls up straight away.
  3. Have fun when you play with her. If you make it a good time she will enjoy it, even if she's not that into games. Crack jokes, make her laugh and focus primarily on spending time with her, not on winning the game at hand.
  4. Be understanding and supportive. When she first starts out, tell her that she will catch on, especially since she's likely to be frustrated at first. Make her feel like this is something that she can do. Let her win. Try not to show any signs of being annoyed. As she keeps playing, she will get better and may enjoy the game itself.

Setting the Stage for Next Time

  1. Teach her how to un-cramp her hands. Her joints and muscles might get tired during her first few sessions. Show her how you usually stretch out your hands, because if she equates video games with sore and stiff hands, she won't want to play any more.
    • You could also give her a hand massage to make her feel better.
  2. Recognize that she probably doesn't want to play for eight hours at a time. When she wants to do something else, don't make her continue to play or make her feel guilty.
  3. Thank her for giving it a chance. Tell her you had fun and you hope you can play together again sometime.

Tips

  • If you are playing an MMORPG or with Mii's, let her create a character on your account. Allow her to choose the look and style of dress, everything.
  • If you're just starting a relationship, don't assume anything about her interest or experience with video games. Some girls love video games. Some girls even love first person shooters.
  • When and if she starts to beat you on a consistent basis, do *NOT* stop playing the game with her. Remember, you wanted this. Nurture it.
  • If you and your girlfriend can play at the same time online, do not ignore her or take advantage.
  • On a 1st person shooter, try to teach her the maps and "spots" to give her an advantage.
  • Some Nintendo systems have more intuitive controls which may be useful to just pick up and play without prior experience. This may be a good starting point for new gamers, unless they have prior experience with other systems controls.
  • If you're the kind of person who shouts phrases with extremely violent cursing after losing a video game, try not to do so. It may show her that you're not a very civil person.
  • Resist using your girlfriend as a means of advancing your own character or guild. Help her to create a positive, independent gaming experience in a game you both enjoy.
  • If you try to get your girlfriend into something you're into that she's not, she may feel justified in doing the same with you. If she's a good sport, you should be, too.
  • Eventually, she may want to try more advanced games. This is not a given though. She may become a guru at Mario but never want to pick up a shooter. If you want her to play games like that, try getting her to play co-op with you.
  • Having a large screen or projection TV may help get your girlfriend "into" the game. It's much easier to get drawn into the game and pay attention on a big screen instead of squinting to see what's happening on a small one.
  • Get a video game chair that she can comfortably sit on your lap with. If you're holding her while she plays, she will enjoy the experience more.
  • If you role play with your character and she feels threatened by romantic role play with other characters, be sensitive to this. Do not ignore her feelings or make fun of her for it.
  • Girls usually like music, so Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band/Guitar Hero might be good starters.
  • Try Etsy.com for video game themed stuff
  • If your girlfriend likes to read, give text games a try. Online MUDs like Achaea and Iron Realms offer text-based MMO action which can be more mentally stimulating than hack'n'slash MMOs.
  • On a 2-player game, switching her side to infinite life can help her get used to controls.
  • Guitar Hero may be a good game because both of you can play cooperatively on different difficulties.
  • If she says that she isn't interested in video games, respect her thoughts.
  • Don't make her play a very hard game to start with, e.g. 'Dark Souls'.
  • Don't force her to play something she doesn't like.



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