Matt posted an article the other day about getting his wife into gaming. I’ve had a similar situation trying to get my girlfriend into gaming. She’s always on the train playing some blocks game on her mobile so I see this as an opening, a gateway into my world of video games. I try to introduce her into Castle Crashers, Braid, and to games that are storyline driven to try to capture her attention. The response I would get from her is “I’m not a gamer!”.
For a while I let it slide, but I drew the line with these shenanigans when she delivered her standard “I don’t play video games!” as she grabbed my Nintendo DS. Not a gamer, yet I can’t get my DS back? When I get to turn my DS on, the battery is low! Finding all the secrets in the New Super Mario Bros. before I do is a bit gamer like. As is beating me in Mario Kart (once, only once). I declare shenanigans on this non-gamer status! You cannot avoid the designation of a gamer when you play games on your mobile or DS. You are playing video games, than you are a gamer. You may not be a hardcore gamer, but you are gamer. Admit it. Now welcome to our world. I declare thee Bridge Gamer.
Mario Kart and New Super Mario Bros. may be the gateway to becoming a gamer, but what is the bridge to becoming a hardcore gamer? There is a flood of titles for the casual gamer from Brain Training to Guitar Hero, but what is the hook that brings the gamer in? Sure it will vary for each demographic and the individual, but how do you draw players in to become hardcore gamers?
Matt made a good point in searching for title suggestions to give his wife to play. There aren’t many introductory titles to bring in hardcore gamers as hardcore gaming is more of an acquired taste. Prince of Persia seems to be a decent start but not quite there yet as it was drowned out with all the other AAA releases this holiday season. Maybe instead of asking for title suggestions, we should be asking these gamers what they are looking for. With such a large volume of titles available for casual gamers in a growing market, it is difficult to sort through what is crap and what is gold, but what is even more challenging is determining what this Bridge Gamer is interested in. What drives Bridge Gamers to play? I’m sure if they keep giving casual gamers the same Mario game, eventually they will grow tired and think, screw Princess Peach, Bowser can have her!
So to anyone who is a gamer, but doesn’t think so, you are probably a Bridge Gamer. Don’t let us know just what titles you like, but what kind of games, what gets you interested in games? Don’t fear, hit up the comments and let us know what you think.
What about the “bridge” gamers who know they are gamers? That is, there is no way they are casual, but they aren’t good enough or have enough time to be hardcore? What would you call that?
I’ve found the Lego-anything games are great for bridge gamers, especially the Indy and Batman games. They’re funny, challenging without being “too hard” for a casual gamer, and don’t require a lot of time; you can jump in and out of them pretty easily.
@gunner4991 – At the moment I would still classify them as Bridge Gamers. You are referring to a middle class of gamers that may not have a label. Maybe gamer is better. Reserve Hardcore for those who live and breath gaming.
@Sean M – Thanks buddy, good point, they are involved enough to push people to get all the achievements, find all the secrets, and bridge the gap to a hardcore gamer.
Yeah the Lego games are a great way to both bring casual gamers into the fold as well and convert the Bridge Gamers into full blown hardcore teabagging shooter lovers
Lego games are great, I have to say that Lego Batman had me and my wife playing like crazy, she became obsessed with finishing it to 100% and we did.
@Al – I would love to use the Lego games to try to get my wife to play the 360 or PS3, but she doesn’t like Star Wars and Batman is just okay to her. I know, I know.
what about indy jones?