Couple Gaming

NPR Has a fabulous story about the evolution of Video Game Music… and yes, more than just “Still Alive”; from Pong to Bioshock.   Wow, I’m amazed how a few midi notes can take me back to so much of my childhood…  but on top of that,  there is so much coming out about how Video Games are really changing so many industries..

 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story…

Yay for the power of gamers!!

My husband does this thing with his mouth… Wow. The way he moves his lips.. it’s absolutely amazing… and I am absolutely overjoyed every time I see it. I’ve tried to copy it, just for fun, but I’m usually busy.. you know.. doing other things. Usually singing. But sometimes playing the guitar. Sometimes both singing AND playing guitar, so I obviously don’t have time to watch his mouth do it’s neat little dance while he’s concentrating so hard playing the drums..

We all have things we do when we’re gaming. I know when I was playing Super Mario Bros for the first time, every time Mario had a difficult leap to make, I was jumping right along with him, sure that the extra momentum would help him make it this time. And no matter what song is playing while I’m gaming, I will sing along to it.. whether I’m on the microphone or not.

So I was just wondering… what have you seen people do while they game? What do YOU do?

I had a great opportunity to ask David Sobolov a few questions, David is a voice actor and has done a quite a few games and movies, including Enemey Terriotory: Quake Wars, Call of Duty 4, Command and Conquer 3 just to name a few.

Q: How did you get started in voice acting?

Back in 1994 or so I was making a living touring around singing bass in an a cappella group. Someone who had a connection to a voiceover agent heard my voice and recommended me. The very first gig I did was a trailer for a game at Radical in Vancouver called “Eurit” My first series role was “Vortech” on Fox. I had a hire a private plane to pick me up at a landing strip in a remote forest to get me back from a tour to start that show!

Q: How do you feel the industry treats the voice actors? Is there a difference in how you are treated between the two (video games vs movies)?

For the most part, it’s more low-drama than on-camera… fewer people milling around - sometimes just two or three behind the glass… a fun day at the office.

Q: For voice actors, is there more work involved with video games compared to animated movies?

I don’t know if the work is more involved, it’s just different. Usually in an animated feature, you have time with the script, and sometimes a rehearsal before recording. With videogames, there’s no advance prep, you have the game play lines to record… the cinematic scenes, then a library of sounds (screams, fight noises, etc.).

Q: Rumor has it you’re not a big gamer, is this true? Why?

You’re right. Maybe if one of the studios sends me an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 someday I’ll get started. I’m kinda old-fashioned in some ways… I always say that the only drama I want in my life has a Screen Actors Guild contract attached. On the rare occasion I play, I like the Wii. It’s the only thing that gets me up and moving outside the gym.

Q: We feel video gaming is slowly making it’s way as a legitimate past time for both adults and kids, like reading and seeing a movie, what are your thoughts?

I agree. Videogames are the new Saturday morning cartoons for kids… and ultimately cheaper than going out for a family. With more elaborate home entertainment systems becoming affordable, they take the place of movies for some… and it’s something you can do with other people in the comfort of your own home. Gaming packs a lot of value in a small space and delivers a world-class entertainment experience.

Q: What is the best single advice you could give to an aspiring voice actor?

Learn to act, not just to do funny voices. Voice characterization is important, but Bob Bergen already has the Tweety gig. Unless you’re a DEAD-on voice match for a famous person or character, don’t put that on your demo. Be yourself… have fun… and do community theater or improv classes - they help a lot.

Thanks David!

If you have any more questions for David, he would be happy to answer them, just send us an e-mail! Also be sure to check out his website where you can see some clips of his work and his extensive resume!

http://www.sobolov.com/

Every couple of months I get an e-mail asking why we don’t have a message board.  Truth be told, I dread having a message board and having it remain empty,  nothing says your site sucks more then having an empty message board.  But given that our goal is to bring people together to admire and support gaming as a couple maybe we should?  I have long ago purchased vbulletin and it would be pretty easy to install it, but is it really necessary for the community?

So given all that, you tell us, would you like a message board?  Tell us what the topics should be and how you think it would help our little community, and while your at it, tell us how we are doing.

For all of you Mario gamers out there, I just wanted to let you know: Nintendo let us off easy.

I love that video. And I pray to the video game gods that this isn’t how they really make them. Sure it may FEEL like they set us up to fail.. but this has FAIL written all over it.

When Ymiris wanted me to write this, I was a little stunned. We commonly hear problems about a male wanting to game in a relationship, and the difficulties bringing his wife around to his point of view. In fact, the usual response when I broached the subject to others was usually:
Step 1: Say “Sweetie, I think we should buy a 360.”
Step 2: Pick him up off the floor.

All joking aside, it is quite likely that a girl that has enjoyed gaming most of her life finds a man that is considerate, kind, and has a hobby .. like.. oh I don’t know… growing carnivorous plants.. instead of destroying bugs and spreading their demonic blood across an apocalyptic terrain. Yeah, it could happen.

The questions I have seen more is how to get games for your child.. or how to get your parents into gaming. I beleive the answers are the same, no matter who you are trying to intrdocue, and so I am going to tailor this advice to be valid whether you are male or female, trying to introduce your spouse or even your grandparents into gaming. This will hopefully get your foot in the door.

There are 3 preliminary steps you will need to take before introducing someone to gaming:

1) Do some Research. Find out what games your target has ever enjoyed in the past, video or otherwise. Then look at what hobbies they enjoy, whether it be music, puzzles, growing things, animals, etc.

2) Find a Game. Putting the hobbies and past games together will give you a rough first step on what a “gateway” game would be. There is a game for almost everything, and I will give you a few examples below on what I suggest.

3) Play the game before introducing it to them. Open up a few stages, and make sure you know how to show them the controls. Then PLAY IT WITH THEM!!

Step one is, for the most part, self explanatory. Sharing your favorite pastime with someone means you should probably know something about theirs. If this is your husband, and he enjoys raising fish, you probably already know the names of his favorite species, or what he is planning on putting in the tank next. It also helps to understand what they like about their hobbies/past games. If it’s 50 cats, is it watching the cats grow, or watching them interact? If it is reading, is it growing an attachment to a fictional character or getting lost in an imaginary world? Is it the the social groups of going to clubs, the dancing, or the music? Is it the puzzle solving of watching CSI?

A “gateway” game is one that can be easily figured out, easily started, and progressive (to keep them coming back). It’s usually a classic in some way or another, and it has probably introduced others to gaming, so it will probably have a following. Here are a few examples of a hobby, and the Gateway Game to accompany it:

HOBBY ————————GATEWAY GAME

Music ————————- Rock Band, Guitar Hero I/II/III
Social Club/Alt World Chars—- World of Warcraft, Everquest, Xbox Live games, Rock Band, Mario Party
Dancing———————— Dance Dance Revolution, Hannah Montana
Reading:Fic Chars & Puzzles– Room 261, Phoenix Wright, Portal
Animals & Development——- Dolphinz, Nintendogs, Catz/Dogz/etz, Black & White, Aquarium, Viva Pinata
Light Exercise —————- Wii Sports, Dance Dance Revolution, Hannah Montana
Finding things—————– Dream Chronicles, The Scruffs

This is, by no means, a complete list. There are more hobbies than I could list off, and there are a ton of great gateway games. In addition, what is a great gateway game for one may not work for another. You need to talk about the games premise before introducing your target to it, see what they think.

Of course, in with this Hobby idea is the other alternative that is becoming more & more popular: Time Wasters. This has become popular with people that have 30 minutes while waiting at the DMV, 5 minutes while walking to the car, or 15 minutes to wind down before bed. These, of course, should be mobile, and can be quickly pulled up and turned off, but they are still considered a gateway game. Most DS games fit this bill, some better than others.  Shockwave.com also has some good games for this, and at $10/mo for unlimited access, actually worth it.

The third, and last step is to PLAY the game, both before you introduce someone to it, as well as with your intended target. Do not buy them a DS with Mario Party on it, and ask 3 days later “So, you ready to play Halo 3 with me yet?” Pick a game you think they would enjoy, and then try it out for a week. Does it look interesting? Are the controls difficult? Would your target enjoy some aspect of it? Would they absolutely abhor another aspect?

After finding and playing a game you think is good enough, play into it a few levels. find out if it is worth finishing, even if you don’t finish it yourself.

Now introduce it to your husband, mother, grandpa, or child. Play it on your account for a minute, showing them the controls, the object of the game, and one of the aspects you really find enjoyable. When they are intrigued, set them up with their own account that they can create from the beginning (be prepared to lose all your progress).

Now watch over their shoulder for a while to see if they need help. Dedicate at least their first attempt to watching them and guiding them through any obstacles that will make it too easy to say “nope, that’s it, gaming is for idiots.” Take turns, if you can.

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. New games are coming out, and gaming is becoming more and more an accepted patime. I never realized this so much as this new years, when at one point the Rock Band consisted of my Nana on bass, my dad on guitar, my religious aunt singing, and my 8 year old nephew on drums. We also had Guitar Hero in the next room.. and Dance Dance Revolution in the room beyond that. at 12:30, when we were all supposed to be going home, they were just getting out the Wii my nana had gotten for christmas to bowl a few rounds.

Computer Gaming isn’t just for males age 10 - 18 anymore. It’s for men, women, couples, children, parents, grandparents… for anyone that wants to be amused.

Of course, to become a gaming couple, there are a few more steps… but hey, that’s why we have this site!

We here at couple gaming believe that gaming can be a great past time for any couple, and can enhance the relationship more then most past times. However, with that said I make this one discloser, some people just won’t ever game, it might be her, it might be him, but if they just don’t want to, don’t pressure them, find something else to to do together.  Now on to the fun.

First and foremost, you will need to get her interested in a game before she will even try it, and lets face it, if she didn’t like games to begin with, showing her Halo or Gears of War probably won’t tempt her much, unless she is a sci-fi/horror fan. If she is, well then it should be an easy job for you and you won’t need much help from us. Now lets decide which platform you want to tempt her with, because each one has a few games that could work out pretty well.

Console Gaming: If you have chosen the console as your gaming choice, I would recommend games that get her involved, lets face it, most of us are pretty lazy when it comes to gaming, we know it takes great reflexes and hand and eye coordination to pull of a head shot while jumping around, but she isn’t interested in that, not yet anyway, and she won’t be intrigued by watching you sit on your ass and stare at the T.V. Try games like DDR, Guitar Hero or Rockband to get her attention. She will see you jumping around having a good time and might want to jump in!

There is also the option of games that don’t require a lot of movement that may spark her interest, for instance Jewel Quest, Marvel Alliance, or anything that can be played together, without a split screen, I say without a split screen because I think that tends to ruin the immersion.

PC Gaming: For those of you that prefer pc gaming, there are plenty of games to get her involved as well, but most won’t be as good as an MMORPG, and even more so World of Warcraft. It’s very easy to learn and very immersing. Hellgate London is also a great game, although not as pretty, it’s still easy to learn and won’t take up an entire night to do a quest. The downside of these games is they require her to have her own computer, but if the budget allows, this can be a great experience for you both, and will encourage her to play more games as she now has her own gaming machine. If this isn’t an option, play games that require both great reflexes and a good problem solving mind and play together, games like Tomb Raider are great, as they allow one person to use the character, and another to help solve problems,  anything that gets her involved and makes you feel like a team.

Now that I have given you some suggestions, you need to make sure to use some follow through, the key point is to play WITH her, make it a past time you do together, don’t level without her, don’t play get to different points in a game without her around watching and helping. Remember, you want her to become a gamer, once she is hooked you will often find her playing without you, but once this happens, make time during the day that you both play together, because a couple that plays together, stays together

Now I may have missed a few points you think are important, or didn’t mention some games. Don’t sit there stewing about it, post! let us know what you think, it will help everyone!  Ophilye will be doing the second part of this, so ladies don’t think we missed you!