How does your significant other feel about your gaming? [Archive]

That Darn Kat

10-06-2008, 12:45 AM

I think the only time my boyfriend minds my gaming habits is when he wants to use whichever system I'm using at the moment. Though, now that we have a PC worthy of gaming, it's usually one stays happy using the TV while the other is happy using the PC.

Troggles

10-06-2008, 12:47 AM

My girlfriends finds my use of gaming terms in everyday life to be quiet cute. She has yet to actually be around me while doing any serious gaming, though.

violent

10-06-2008, 12:48 AM

She reads, I game. We're happy. Wise man once said "they biggest problem with relationships these days is communication. Too much communication."

Sazime

10-06-2008, 12:48 AM

Well, we play together whenever we can, so I think she's cool with it. :)

pomeroy

10-06-2008, 01:06 AM

Mostly, the girls I've dated haven't cared about gaming and didn't really care that I did. It's not like I was ignoring them so I could get in a round of Halo or something.

I had one that really liked watching me play Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, though.

Lithium Flower

10-06-2008, 05:54 AM

Both gamers, and we play vicariously through each other if one is too busy at a given time. He's really good at retelling a game's story, so I love listening to his account of a game I know I won't be getting around to play.

Wilkz07

10-06-2008, 05:59 AM

My wife and I play games together. Mostly Dr. Mario (wii) or Rockband. She likes platformers - crash bandicoot and mario games. The first game she played through from start to finish was Luigi's Mansion. And she's got a small DS collection of games... and a pink ds.

pseudopseudo

10-06-2008, 06:25 AM

Depends on her mood, really. Sometimes she thinks my gaming is "cute". Other times, she thinks it's a waste of my time. (Usually when she's in a bad mood, or when she wants to watch TV.)

Since we started dating, I have gotten her into playing the DS quite a bit, and she loves playing the Wii from time to time - as long as I'm not playing against her. She gets really competitive really quickly, and it turns into a Catch-22; if I win she gets mad because she lost, if I lose she gets mad and accuses me of letting her win. Heh.

astranoir

10-06-2008, 06:47 AM

My boyfriend is happy with my gaming unless we both want to use the television, or if he is worried about me because I've been playing Mass Effect for over 15 hours again...

Drayven

10-06-2008, 07:32 AM

My girlfriend is a gamer too. The only issues we really have are when we're playing WoW and she goes into "Warcraft time" which means she tells she's going to do something in a 'few minutes' which typically means at least an hour.

Typical Michael

10-06-2008, 07:48 AM

My cat tries to all get up in my lap and stuff but then I just smack her around and she gives up. Serious gaming is serious.

KidCactus

10-06-2008, 08:38 AM

All and all I'd say my girlfriend plays more than I do. The big difference though, is that she spends most of her time with portables. At the moment she's playing a lot of Civ Revolution and Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir on the DS, while I do most (close to all) my gaming on the PS3.

Gormanimal

10-06-2008, 08:40 AM

Sounds like we're all fortunate. My girlfriend is also perfectly fine with my gaming. She'll even play the odd co-op with me.

DangerousDaze

10-06-2008, 08:47 AM

Usually toleration at best. Threats of divorce at worst. However, since I got the PS3 and started playing it on the main TV from time to time she's actually been helping me out - she figured out how to beat Vamp in MGS4 for example. To say I was shocked and surprised was a bit of an understatement!

Mashidar

10-06-2008, 08:54 AM

The wife knew what she was getting into before we got married. She lets me game whenever I want as long as everything else is being taken care of before I game. Such as the fact that I let her sleep in everyday till 9am while I take care of our daughter when she wakes up at 6am-7am and that I wake up with her during the night.

We play from time to time, but overall these days with our daughter and her homemade soap business she has little free time for games. What time she does have she plays Viva Pinata 2 or Puzzle Quest on the xbox.

TheManEatingCow

10-06-2008, 08:55 AM

Grudging acceptance is how I would describe my wife's attitude. It's usually not an issue until the late September - mid November range where I have way too many games to play. Our arguments always play out something like 'You knew what you were getting into when you married me!' 'Yeah, but I figured you would have grown out of this in the interceding 11 years!', etc. etc.

Good times. Good times.

TurboKinny

10-06-2008, 09:17 AM

I tend to date gamers almost exclusively (of course, it's easier for me to find them!) The last two non-gamers I was with, I converted.

Playing together is definitely the best part, especially when you're long-distance. God bless Live!

Young Al Capone

10-06-2008, 09:43 AM

My girl doesn't mind my gaming, though she is pretty cool about letting me have a lot of free time, which has been a big problem for me in the past. It also doesn't bother her that I constantly have a DS with me, especially now with Disgaea on it, which has also been a problem before. Girls think it is all cute you play videogames, until you bust the DS out in the movie theater waiting for the movie to start.

She plays occasionally herself, but not much. She has been playing Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise recently, and she impressed me greatly when she anxiously awaited the release of Professor Layton to the point of calling around town all release day looking for a copy. That shit was hot.

Typical Michael

10-06-2008, 09:46 AM

Young Al Capone, I hate you because of your avatar. I had gotten that stupid song out of my head, and now its back. DIAF.

Young Al Capone

10-06-2008, 09:47 AM

Young Al Capone, I hate you because of your avatar. I had gotten that stupid song out of my head, and now its back. DIAF.

Funniest sign I have seen all year.

Commissar Rob

10-06-2008, 10:21 AM

My wife enjoys games now and again, particularly the co-op variety. She was actually pretty addicted to Romance of the Three Kingdoms back on the Genesis. These days, she's more of a Viva Piñata type of gal.

But, yeah, as long as I don't go too crazy on the amount of time or money I put into the hobby, no worries.

pheriannath

10-06-2008, 10:24 AM

My wife just likes hanging out while I play. She'll usually read a book or play her DS while I hog the HDTV. ;-)

Haemorrhage

10-06-2008, 10:26 AM

My wife is a card carrying member of the "anti-gaming death squad." She had threatened on many occasions to throw my Xbox 360 out the window.

I think Siraris posted a suitable picture for her at one point, but I can't seem to find it.

Edit: Found it :)

http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/03/01/werewolf-woman-whip.jpg

hunterx280

10-06-2008, 10:42 AM

My wife isn't really a gamer but she does play from time to time. She really likes SNES platformers. I gave her my old GBA SP and got her Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World. Every once and a while I'll see her playing that. Most of the time she will sit and watch me play like on Saturday afternoon, I was playing LoZ: Ocarina of Time. She watched me play and asked a couple questions while I was.

Then last night my roommate bought Castle Crashers so the three of us plus an old friend who was in town played that for a little while. Great game.

I think part of the problem is that she does like to game but she gets frustrated when she dies or loses. Then she quits but if I try to help she gets mad for being a backseat gamer. Ah well, so long as I help out around the house she doesn't care if I game.

National Kato

10-06-2008, 10:42 AM

Well, I'm on month 3 with the new woman and thus far she's been very supportive. She said she's willing to give me "blowjobs while I play NHL09 and eat a reuben sandwich." Those were her words, which I'm going to hold her to.

Khrymsyn

10-06-2008, 10:43 AM

My girlfriend not only likes gaming, but enjoys watching me play games (unless it's sports. She DESPISES sports games).

For example, last night she fell asleep to the sounds of a M1 Thomspon and a Bazooka as I was taking out 88s in Brothers in Arms.

Good thing she likes watching Call of Duty, considering I'm on the damn game enough. Freaking addicts.

Jackel

10-06-2008, 03:59 PM

My wife has started gaming with me....lots of Civ4 which is a blast...I'm hoping I can get her into FPS's so that we can really have some fun.

Goronmon

10-06-2008, 04:02 PM

My wife has started gaming with me....lots of Civ4 which is a blast...I'm hoping I can get her into FPS's so that we can really have some fun.Oooh, burn!

shunoshi

10-06-2008, 04:07 PM

She reads, I game. We're happy.

This is exactly my wife and I.

DangerousDaze

10-06-2008, 04:10 PM

I used to game on my laptop while Mrs. DD watched TV. The problem now is that I want to play my PS3 but we only have the one HD TV. I need one of these (http://digitalcamera.101reviews.com/news/dual-view-lcd-display).

CptTripps

10-06-2008, 04:13 PM

I bought the wife a Wii, I play PC and my 360. She does not seem to mind.

HALO 32

10-06-2008, 04:14 PM

Well I don't have a girlfriend so I can do what ever I want HA HA!

I'm so lonely :(

Bone

10-06-2008, 04:36 PM

My wife hates it.

She hates when I hoard the controller and don't share, or when a great game comes out that only runs on my Magic PC and not on her PC (which would generally be my Magic PC from the couple of years prior).

But yeah, honestly we are a gaming couple as many people here know. We enjoy the co-op games but she also likes acting as my co-pilot whenever the big single-player games come out. She's always pointing out snipers or other dangers for me to watch out for, hence her name "Backseat Killer".

Zero

10-06-2008, 04:42 PM

She's okay with it. Usually she's on the WoWie sauce, and I'm playing in the living room. If she's bored she'll watch me play and play DS sitting next to me. It's awesome. :)

Doctor Setebos

10-06-2008, 04:42 PM

My wife doesn't mind at all. She's usually busy sewing or surfing on the internet when I'm gaming. The only time it becomes a problem is when she wants to play some Mario Kart (or Startropics, or Link's Crossbow Training, or Super Monkey Ball) and I'm hogging the Wii. :D

We're getting a "family" DS this Christmas, so there will be a bit less arguing for control of the systems then, I hope.

rinichanraar

10-06-2008, 08:48 PM

My boyfriend's happy about it since he plays about as much as I do. We co-op whenever we can (well, we live together, so it makes the most sense).

Seconds Out

10-06-2008, 09:46 PM

The only thing my girlfriend hates more than my gaming is me watching sports. I've tried to convert her... its proving to be extremely difficult. Any suggestions?

Zero

10-06-2008, 10:04 PM

WiiFit. It's the cranberry vodka of video games.

TurboKinny

10-06-2008, 10:12 PM

The only thing my girlfriend hates more than my gaming is me watching sports. I've tried to convert her... its proving to be extremely difficult. Any suggestions?encourage her to pursue her own habits, instead of trying to force yours on her.

That, or find a better girlfriend :p

Karmakin

10-06-2008, 10:21 PM

My wife is my drummer. (She plays on Hard difficulty mostly)

She also plays WoW right along side me, and is the regular Mage tank in our guild for the High King fight (25-man raid).

My wife rawks.

That Darn Kat

10-06-2008, 10:46 PM

My boyfriend's happy about it since he plays about as much as I do. We co-op whenever we can (well, we live together, so it makes the most sense).
My boyfriend and I like to play co-op as well, and I've noticed that dropping same box co-op in favor of online only co-op is a growing trend. It's gotten quite frustrating. The same goes for multiplayer in general.

TheKeck

10-06-2008, 10:51 PM

Some games the wife and I play together, and overall she is a pretty good sport about me playing in general. Sometimes, though, she clearly thinks I'm playing too much.

TurboKinny

10-06-2008, 10:54 PM

My boyfriend and I like to play co-op as well, and I've noticed that dropping same box co-op in favor of online only co-op is a growing trend. It's gotten quite frustrating. The same goes for multiplayer in general.Indeed. This is why I'm seriously considering bringing my 360 with me when I go visit my bf next month, so we can play L4D when it comes out.

astranoir

10-06-2008, 10:57 PM

The Doctor

10-06-2008, 11:06 PM

I don't have a SO (never have) but all the wives/girlfriends of my friends seem to be cool with gaming, although only one of them has any interest in gaming herself.

GrenMag

10-06-2008, 11:10 PM

My wife is pretty supportive of my gaming and is slowly becoming a gamer herself. It helps that our older daughter (just over 2) is taking a liking to the Lego* games.

Of course, she's convinced she knows how to play Risk, too. Now I just have to convince her that trying to feed the other armies to the cat isn't a real winning strategy. Unless your mission card is "Kill the Cat".

Straximus

10-06-2008, 11:16 PM

My wife and I are both gamers, and very good at sharing. Some games we play together. Others I play solo while she reads/web surfs/crochets/paints/etc.. (She has a lot of hobbies) Other times she finds something to play (Viva Pinata) that I have no interest in watching, so I clean/web surf/tinker/etc... Some games I have to play while she can watch, because the story is just that engaging. Some single player games we actively avoid watching the other play because we both want to experience them for ourselves.

There are also hobbies we have that the other doesn't enjoy. But the important thing in any relationship is to be supportive of what your partner does to unwind/have fun/enjoy themselves. If you can't have fun with some activity you enjoy because your sig.other thinks you are wasting your time with it, that's a problem. I went through that once, and I know firsthand there's a better way to do it.

JadedPirate

10-06-2008, 11:44 PM

Yeah, about the only time I complain about Strax gaming is if I wanna or his game is making me motion sick. Crackdown was real bad.

And the only time he's complained is when he wants to play but it's my turn. Or either of us will complain if there's a show that we want to watch instead of watching the other play.

I have a feeling these issues are about to arise again soon, too, what with the holidays on the horizon.

Last night, I watched him playing Uncharted, and would point out shiny objects if it looked like he didn't see it, or a "Hey, you got turned around, you're going the back where you just were". This is an example of one way we spend time together, enjoy each others' company. And we're both just so tickled that we found someone who does enjoy spending our time together like that. :D:D

Xerxes

10-06-2008, 11:47 PM

I dream of the day I can participate in this thread. lol

rinichanraar

10-07-2008, 12:02 AM

My boyfriend and I like to play co-op as well, and I've noticed that dropping same box co-op in favor of online only co-op is a growing trend. It's gotten quite frustrating. The same goes for multiplayer in general.
I agree that this is frustrating. The majority of the time when I want to play a co-op game, I would prefer to play with my boyfriend or one of my roommates, but with games like Too Human, it's just not practical. We actually have two 360s in the house, but getting two copies of a game, even if it's just renting, so we can actually play co-op together, then having to play in separate rooms is just aggravating.

I'm with you guys (girls :)) on this one. I can understand why online only co-op is taking over (convenience, the ability to play with people across the country, etc.), but for people like us who can and want to be sitting next to the person with whom we're playing, it's definitely annoying.

I dream of the day I can participate in this thread. lol

Aww, boo. Your time will come. :)

Wolvie

10-07-2008, 02:06 AM

The wife tolorates most of my gaming. And by that I mean she doesn't care as long as it:

A) doesn't interfere with her TV time.

B) doesn't wake her up in the middle of the night.

And

C) Doesn't keep me from doing my share of the household chores.

She's gotten a lot more accepting of video games ever since I introduced her to Paper Mario. That soon changed to Animal crossing. Then Guitar Hero, which really stuck with her since she loves music. Then soon after that Rock Band came out, and she could actually sing in a game... there was no going back after that, she was hopelessly addicted.
We play Rock Band as much as we can together. It's really cool being able to share the things we like through a game that blends or favorite things together. It's one of those rare times when I can say a game made our relationship stronger.

Young Al Capone

10-07-2008, 07:52 AM

Allimonster

10-07-2008, 08:41 AM

My wife just likes hanging out while I play. She'll usually read a book or play her DS while I hog the HDTV. ;-)

Um, unless I'm wailing on the drums for Rock Band. :D Or jumping in on the occasional game of Castle Crashers.

The gaming hasn't bothered me terrifically, except for those damned MMORPGs. We only have one computer that really runs WoW (and the like) well, and so Pher usually descends to his ManCave (ie office) and I don't see him for hours. He surfaces for food or sleep on occasion.

I may not be the main gamer in our house, but I am picky about the games Pher plays. If they don't have a great storyline for me to follow, I get bored and irritated. And then I just pull out the DS. :D

Blue

10-07-2008, 12:36 PM

My wife finds the fact that I game peculiar. I'm pretty sure she's still waiting on me to grow out of it.

National Kato

10-07-2008, 12:59 PM

What's really interesting about my current relationship is that she has two children, one who is 13 and plays Halo 3, GTA4, CoD4, and many other games.

I decided to add him to my friends list and now, occasionally, I get my ass handed to me by my girlfriend's son. It's humbling, yes. But every time he excitedly tells her about how bad he beat me, I get bonus points for making him happy and spending time with him. Those points are, of course, redeemable for blowjobs.

It's a win-win.

Psykoboy2

10-07-2008, 01:04 PM

Those points are, of course, redeemable for blowjobs. It's a win-win.

Dude, what's his gamertag? I'll add him and earn some of those awesome points too.

Cit Phil Cit

10-07-2008, 01:39 PM

My wife knows I play games, and provided as previously mentioned, stuff gets done in a fair manner there is no issue. The only sticking point is that, when I am playing, it is not the best time to talk to me - unless it's a turn based game.

National Kato

10-07-2008, 01:46 PM

Dude, what's his gamertag? I'll add him and earn some of those awesome points too.

For that, the next time I'm racing against you in Burnout, I'll be sure to get a blowjob while smashing you into the wall. Then I'll let my Vision cam rub it in. :D

pseudopseudo

10-07-2008, 01:48 PM

The only sticking point is that, when I am playing, it is not the best time to talk to me - unless it's a turn based game.

I have the same problem - especially when playing something like Halo 3 or CoD4, where I'm continually talking to my teammates. My g/f STILL thinks I'm talking to her half the time, and things get... uncomfortable. (She usually just either leaves or pulls out the DS to distract herself from the stuff I'm saying.)

Cyndair

10-07-2008, 02:00 PM

I have the same problem - especially when playing something like Halo 3 or CoD4, where I'm continually talking to my teammates. My g/f STILL thinks I'm talking to her half the time, and things get... uncomfortable. (She usually just either leaves or pulls out the DS to distract herself from the stuff I'm saying.)

Yeah, this can be a bit frustrating at times. Generally the signal is that if I move the mic away from my mouth and lift one of the headphone ears up I'm talking to my wife, otherwise, she just ignores what I'm saying because I'm talking to someone on the computer.

In general my wife is pretty indifferent to my gaming. She understands why I like it and why I play as much as I do. Certain games like Metroid and Zelda, for example, she will really get into and enjoy watching. Also, games where there is a very involved story line with a lot of dialogue (she enjoyed watching Xenosaga and MGS). Games where there is a lot of excessive violence or MMO type games, however, she just pretty much ignores.

I can get her to play a select few titles but it's limited to Tetris DS, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Samba De Amigo. I think she would enjoy a lot of other titles that I play but as soon as the controls start to get complicated or if there is a chance of "dying" she freaks out and shuts down. Oh well, I still love her :D.

pseudopseudo

10-07-2008, 02:13 PM

Yeah, this can be a bit frustrating at times. Generally the signal is that if I move the mic away from my mouth and lift one of the headphone ears up I'm talking to my wife, otherwise, she just ignores what I'm saying because I'm talking to someone on the computer.

I tried that part. She still didn't buy it. :D

jpublic

10-07-2008, 02:42 PM

My wife's okay with it, but I have to make sure I moderate my playing. It's quite possible for me to spend my entire evening in front of a system or my computer, and she feels a little ignored. As long as I set some time aside to spend with her, we're fine.

Psykoboy2

10-08-2008, 09:43 AM

At the moment she (and I in no way mean "my wife") is curious about my hobby/lifestyle. Which is good. She's open to what it is I do and is generally interested in it. So much so I showed her some trailers and video and she asks me which system each game is for. Oddly enough, she's decided to jump in with a PS3 instead of the usual 360.

We're not looking at it as something we can do together. She wants to play, with or without me, but so far none of the exclusives on the 360 hold any interest for her compared to the exclusives on the PS3.

Obviously it doesn't matter to me. Getting her feet wet in any way, be it 360, PS3, or even a handheld is fine by me since it gets her in the water with me.

Squidbot

10-08-2008, 10:04 AM

Mrs Squid plays as many, if not more, games as I. She also works for 2K games, so I guess I'm just a lucky Squid.
The only thing we avoid is competitive games, as she occasionally gets violent if she loses. Unless it's Soul Caliber, where she just generally doesn't lose.

ADDGirl

10-08-2008, 10:22 AM

My cat tries to all get up in my lap and stuff but then I just smack her around and she gives up. Serious gaming is serious.
Santa and I experience this quite often, I usually wiggle around until my cat gets comfortable in the cup made by my sitting indian style... The other cat however headbutts santa until he gets some attention.

My wife just likes hanging out while I play. She'll usually read a book or play her DS while I hog the HDTV. ;-)
When Santa is playing a game that I don't find interesting I read a book or surf online or play on the DS. Usually though I just watch him play. When I play santa goes on another floor and works on school stuff. Or he puts on headphones and ignores me. Though he did enjoy watching me play heavenly sword.

Well, I'm on month 3 with the new woman and thus far she's been very supportive. She said she's willing to give me "blowjobs while I play NHL09 and eat a reuben sandwich." Those were her words, which I'm going to hold her to.

But how would she feel about you telling a bunch of strangers that she said that?

Johan

10-08-2008, 10:28 AM

My wife does not like when I play random matches of online multi-player, because I get a bit intense. As a result, for close to a year now, I have been playing purely single-player and friends-matches, and I find I enjoy gaming more, and my wife enjoys the fact that I actually enjoy it.

Multi-player online is dead to me, basically. I just don't care about e-peen rankings and the like. I can't be bothered. Also, frankly, there are far too many assholes online. I should know! :)

Kelegacy

10-08-2008, 10:49 AM

My girlfriend plays casual games, if any. I think she playes a Bejewelled clone every day on our laptop.

Me, I recently moved our 32" Westinghouse "bargain" tv from the bedroom and hooked it up as a computer/360 HD monitor. I did this because she is too often in the living room hogging the tube. Now I game MUCH more. The good part is we're now in the same room pretty much (our apartment is huge and open) but the bad part is I think she feels I'm not spending enough time with her.

She's fine with my gaming, but I think she gets irritated with it as well. Almost like it's "the other woman".

National Kato

10-08-2008, 10:55 AM

But how would she feel about you telling a bunch of strangers that she said that?

She was looking over my shoulder when I typed it. :) She's cool like that.

Johan

10-08-2008, 10:58 AM

She was looking over my shoulder when I typed it. :) She's cool like that.

Over your shoulder?

She's not doing it right. ;)

Bone

10-08-2008, 11:16 AM

I think Kato is telling us he's hung like a giraffe.

Straximus

10-08-2008, 11:32 AM

My wife does not like when I play random matches of online multi-player, because I get a bit intense.
...

Multi-player online is dead to me, basically. I just don't care about e-peen rankings and the like. I can't be bothered. Also, frankly, there are far too many assholes online. I should know! :)

I've never enjoyed pub matches. If I can't play with a group of friends I don't even bother. Thanks to this community though, I have an awful lot of really good people to play with. I don't know if you've ever played online with this crowd Johan, but if not it's something you should try once. Playing with a crowd that knows and respects each other is the only way to play online imo. It's a much more 'zen' experience. :cool:

DiBiddilyBop

10-08-2008, 11:49 AM

My girlfriend isn't excited about it, but she puts up with it. I think "grudging acceptance" really does put it best. I keep trying to get her involved and have had some success with Super Mario Galaxy, but that's been about it. Wii Fit was a bust. Super Smash Bros: Brawl was a total bust. She likes designing characters with me on Soul Calibur but doesn't care for watching or playing the actual game. She positively despises Disgaea and wants to start a Facebook group for "Girlfriends against Disgaea" (I'm not kidding). I *know* that deep down, there's a gamer inside her though since one day she was home alone and played Ratchet and Clank for eight hours straight. Now if I can just figure out how to bring that side of her out when I'm actually around...

I think in her mind it's something she'd like me to "grow out of" and doesn't understand why it's something that I enjoy doing every day. Pretty sure if I only played for an hour or two a week, she'd be much happier about it.

Young Al Capone

10-08-2008, 11:53 AM

She positively despises Disgaea and wants to start a Facebook group for "Girlfriends against Disgaea" (I'm not kidding).

All you are seeing is the tip of the iceberg, you dump her and you dump her fast.

LongStepMantis

10-08-2008, 11:55 AM

Since my wife is usually right alongside me playing, I'd say she's ok with it. :D

The other day she actually begged me to play some Diablo 2 with her. I wanted to cry I was so happy. When we met she had never even played any games, now I have turned her.