Non-"gaming" games for friends?

J

John Stamos

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Sep 14, 2009
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So I have quite a few friends that aren't into gaming as I am, but when I have them offer I feel at a loss for things to entertain them with. If they like electronics, monitors, endless amounts of steam games and console games that require some moderate skill to play, than sure I can entertain them just fine....not the case though.

I've been trying to find games that I could entertain a group of guests with who pretty much either don't like games, or just don't have any experience with them. Multiplayer games that may not require much skill at all, or maybe games along the lines of Fuzion Frenzy, or Lights Camera Party.

I think the furthest I'm willing to venture is a game based on mini games. Mario Party seems like it would cover that category pretty well.

This topic covers all systems and consoles though. So if you have a suggestion for the Wii or Wii U (even though I do not currently have one) feel free to chime in! I'm really trying to make my home more pleasant for people who do not necessarily have the same taste in entertainment as I do so I figured I'd ask around and see if there's some hidden gems I do not know about.
 
Mario 3d worlds is a blast. My gf love it and shes not a gamer.
 
JayJapanB said:
Step 1: Buy a deck of cards.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit.
Click to expand...

Sorry, maybe I didn't word it right. I was still looking to keep it electronic if possible. I wanted to retain that part of my entertainment.

arr4ws said:
Mario 3d worlds is a blast. My gf love it and shes not a gamer.
Click to expand...

That game did look fantastic. I don't have a Wii U but who knows what Christmas gift I will surprise myself with this year!
 
People love dance games... ddr or the newer motion tracking ones. Even people who don't know how or are scared of dancing end up having a pretty good time.
Also, group "intellectual" games like mafia or resistance can keep large groups busy for HOURS.
btw, this is coming from a gamer with friends who barely even know what graphics cards are. Actually, I'm pretty sure most of them don't know what graphics cards are...
 
You could always try the video game versions of game shows and board games.
 
There are many good boardgame adaptations ... most of the old Parker Brother games have been well adapted (Monopoly, Life, Clue, Yahtzee, etc) ... there is always competitive Angry Birds (that game is everywhere :) )
 
John Stamos said:
So I have quite a few friends that aren't into gaming as I am, but when I have them offer I feel at a loss for things to entertain them with. If they like electronics, monitors, endless amounts of steam games and console games that require some moderate skill to play, than sure I can entertain them just fine....not the case though.

I've been trying to find games that I could entertain a group of guests with who pretty much either don't like games, or just don't have any experience with them. Multiplayer games that may not require much skill at all, or maybe games along the lines of Fuzion Frenzy, or Lights Camera Party.

I think the furthest I'm willing to venture is a game based on mini games. Mario Party seems like it would cover that category pretty well.

This topic covers all systems and consoles though. So if you have a suggestion for the Wii or Wii U (even though I do not currently have one) feel free to chime in! I'm really trying to make my home more pleasant for people who do not necessarily have the same taste in entertainment as I do so I figured I'd ask around and see if there's some hidden gems I do not know about.
Click to expand...

Any console will work for your needs. Also most PC games, as they are just about all console ports now. Here is a recipe for entertaining unclean heathens.
1. Get CoD or an NBA game
2. Get food and cheap beer.
3. Play some really fucking retarded music like Dubstep, or simply turn on the radio.

Viola!
 
TheToE! said:
Any console will work for your needs. Also most PC games, as they are just about all console ports now. Here is a recipe for entertaining unclean heathens.
1. Get CoD or an NBA game
2. Get food and cheap beer.
3. Play some really fucking retarded music like Dubstep, or simply turn on the radio.

Viola!
Click to expand...

None of my friends listen to Dubstep. None of them ever will.

I prefer to just you know .. go out and chill with them and have some drinks.

If I wanted to get my friends into a game I would sit them down on the couch and play either Flower or Journey on my PS3. Both games are incredibly accessible.
 
As you said you had a ps3, doesn't get much easier than little big planet. If you did indeed had a wii u, i would suggest New Super Mario Bros or Super Mario 3d Worlds. Also Mario Party for Wii(playable on the Wii U)
 
Rayman Raving Rabbids for Wii is AWESOME for parties. It's just so damn silly that it's hard not to like.
 
TheToE! said:
Any console will work for your needs. Also most PC games, as they are just about all console ports now. Here is a recipe for entertaining unclean heathens.
1. Get CoD or an NBA game
2. Get food and cheap beer.
3. Play some really fucking retarded music like Dubstep, or simply turn on the radio.

Viola!
Click to expand...

I think you mean voila. Viola is an instrument.
 
Mccaula718 said:
As you said you had a ps3, doesn't get much easier than little big planet. If you did indeed had a wii u, i would suggest New Super Mario Bros or Super Mario 3d Worlds. Also Mario Party for Wii(playable on the Wii U)
Click to expand...

Also:

Nintendoland
New Super Mario Bros U
Wii Party U
Pikmin 3... maybe
Animal Crossing City Folk (Wii game)


For PC, or Xbox 360/Xbox One, I'd recommend Minecraft.
 
John Stamos said:
So I have quite a few friends that aren't into gaming as I am, but when I have them offer I feel at a loss for things to entertain them with. If they like electronics, monitors, endless amounts of steam games and console games that require some moderate skill to play, than sure I can entertain them just fine....not the case though.

I've been trying to find games that I could entertain a group of guests with who pretty much either don't like games, or just don't have any experience with them. Multiplayer games that may not require much skill at all, or maybe games along the lines of Fuzion Frenzy, or Lights Camera Party.

I think the furthest I'm willing to venture is a game based on mini games. Mario Party seems like it would cover that category pretty well.

This topic covers all systems and consoles though. So if you have a suggestion for the Wii or Wii U (even though I do not currently have one) feel free to chime in! I'm really trying to make my home more pleasant for people who do not necessarily have the same taste in entertainment as I do so I figured I'd ask around and see if there's some hidden gems I do not know about.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of non-gaming games out there to entertain with. Don't limit yourself to just electronic stuff!

Cards against Humanity (depending on their sensibilities)
Zombiecide
Wooden Ships, Iron Men (excellent board game!)
Smallworld (board game kinda like Risk but not as drawn out)
Axis & Allies


Just to name a few...
 
A bit dated by now, but DDR and Rockband / Guitar Hero were always big hits with non gaming guests for me. There are probably some more recent motion / rhythm games. Also, games like Mario Party are entertaining for that crowd.
 
Here are my top party games for when friends are over. For group-play on big-screen and HTPC, I look for games that allow multiple people to play at the same time - via split-screen or multiple characters on-screen at once.
  • Blur (split-screen PC racing game, it's like Mario Cart with real cars!)
  • Street Fighter 4
  • Worms
  • Trine 1/2
Another option is to just put on something really pretty looking, let one person play, and most people will enjoy watching to some extent. Just Cause 2 is one of my favorites for that purpose. Skyrim, GTA, SaintsRow3, Far Cry 3, or Tomb Raider 2013 have also worked well for this.
 
Instead of repeating what others have already suggested such as Mario Party and Worms, etc., I'll ask this:

Have you tried education games and casual indie titles?

I know, I know, it's probably a silly suggestion, but I've seen a few that look rather interesting.

Here are several that I can come up with off my memory:

Draw a Stickman: EPIC - http://store.steampowered.com/app/248650/

You Don't Know Jack - http://store.steampowered.com/searc...enre=Casual&category2=1&sort_order=ASC&page=1

Pinball FX2 - http://store.steampowered.com/app/226980 (Though you have to pay for new pinball boards.)

Eets - http://store.steampowered.com/app/6100/

Smallworld 2 - http://store.steampowered.com/app/235620/

DIVO - http://store.steampowered.com/app/230760/ (It's a hamster in a wheel running around in a rotating cylindrical level... :D )

Crayon Physics Deluxe - http://store.steampowered.com/app/26900/

Droplitz - http://store.steampowered.com/app/23120/

Snapshot - http://store.steampowered.com/app/204220/

English Country Tune - http://store.steampowered.com/app/207570/

Chime - http://store.steampowered.com/app/62100/

Reach for the Sun - http://store.steampowered.com/app/248290/ (Yes, it's a game about how plants grow.... )

MouseCraft - http://store.steampowered.com/app/252750/ (Still Early Access.)

Scribblenauts Unlimited - http://store.steampowered.com/app/218680/
 
Kerbal Space Program?

I haven't played it in a while, but the original idea seemed like it'd be silly fun in a party setting.
 
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