Saturday, April 30, 2011

Stuff #15: Games


I am a great big nerd.  Alright, good.  Let's just get that out of the way to begin with.  

I love games.  I love games of all shapes and sizes.  In the days to come I will probably be breaking down specific games for you, but right now I just want to talk about games in general, and the many types I love.

Computer Games:

Yes, I play the Sims.  As far as gamers go, I think it's a requisite that female gamers play the Sims.  Go ahead, call me girly, it's a good game.  I've played every computer iteration of it so far, and enjoyed it.  So there. 
That...can't be comfortable.

However, on the other side of the spectrum, I play World of Warcraft. Apparently, no girls play that game, living proof aside.  Still, go ahead, call me nerdy, it's a good game.  I've been playing it for about a year now, and I enjoy it. So there.  

 Fear me!  Fear me and my...underwater mechanical chicken?

I play the games put out by massive companies, I play the indie games like minecraft and Portal (no, I haven't played Portal 2 yet, don't tell me how it ends!).  I game on the computer and I enjoy it, a whole lot.

Video Games:

As if computer gaming wasn't enough, I also console game.  I started off with a PS2 (thanks, parents, for buying it for us.  One of the best Christmas surprises ever.)  In a way, you could say most of this was Final Fantasy VIII's fault.  I played it at a friends house, and that's what got me playing role playing games, and firmly established my aforementioned great big nerd cred.  To date, my favorite games are ones that put my character in the middle of a world and say, "Go, make choices, do stuff, get stronger, save the world."

That's not to say I don't play Rockband.  Rockband is fun.
Some of my favorites, right here.  

Card Games:

Now, I have to admit, when I think of card games, I mostly think of Nerts.  For the uninitiated Nerts is fast paced competitive solitaire, and if that makes no sense come and talk to me.  It's tons of fun. It involves many unusual noises.

Party Games:
My pride and joy with this one is Telephone Pictionary.  I have had the honor of teaching this game to people and watching it spread.  Like a virus.  A virus of fun! (Okay, no, that doesn't work as a catchphrase.  Back to the drawing board.)  

Anyway, it's a game that involves, writing, drawing, hysterical laughter, and many apologies.  If you haven't played it, a good description of it, and some examples, can be found here.  Geek Heaven 

Board Games:

I'll admit, I've been saving this one for last.  Why is that?  Because this is the one area of games that I feel like I have something to share with the world.  I think that there are a lot of people who have gone through life only knowing that board games like Operation, Scrabble, Sorry, and Monopoly exist.  If you don't like those games, board games aren't for you.

The fact is, there are people out there who have been making some really, really amazing board games.  These games are beautiful and fun.  There are games for all different personality types.  I've heard a lot of people complain that the problem with board games is that either you win, and you make other people feel bad, or you loose, and then you feel bad.  Much better to just sit down and have a nice conversation  Have you heard of cooperative games?  These are games where you try to win with other people. You all play together.  It's quite beautiful.  I've collected a good number of these games, allow me to demonstrate.


Here we have a chest.  It sits in our living room, quite docilely, until....drumroll please...



We open it!
Bam!  Chock full of gamey goodness!  Now, I'll probably talk about these games individually as time goes on because I am really passionate about sharing these games with other people.  In fact, a whole group of people are coming over tomorrow to play, and I am excited! 

Hooray for games!

5 comments:

  1. Do they make a Sims for the Mac?

    ReplyDelete
  2. The pictures are really helping me visualize your blog!! I love your chest o' games and your love of sharing them. Play on!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stephanie - According to their system requirements, Sims 3 works on Mac OS X. Here's the website to poke around on. http://www.thesims3.com/game/systemreq

    Mom - Hooray! The chest of games is a major feature of the house, and one I very much enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a girl and I play wow!! Well, I used to play way more, but still :) Just don't spread it around too much :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kristin, that's great! I would have never guessed you for a WoW player. :) Makes me very happy. Your secret's safe with me...and my blog comments. My public blog comments...erhm...well, I'll try not to spread it around. You still play?

    ReplyDelete