So...you want to reveal to your girlfriend, boyfriend or significant other, that you game. Go easy friend. The perceptions of gaming can still hold an air of geekness that can limit your opportunity to get some real play. Follow these steps to ease your mate into the world of co-op, partnertastic gaming. These steps take the assumption that your partner knows little, if anything about the greatness of gaming...
Step 1: Place an Ikea catalogue, Music Mag, Mc D's coupon book...whatever stokes your partners fancy, onto the actual gaming system. This will ease their transition to acknowledging the existence of the mass of game-on hardware that exists within your living environment. Their joy at snagging the mag (latest edition of course) will overwhelm the shocking reality of revealing the game system lounging underneath. This reward-shock tactic will ease them into acceptance.
Step 2: Be sure the system is tip-top clean. Any reason to be disgusted by it will be utilized by an unsure partner to reinforce their doubts about it. People generally dislike fondling filthy things. An option would be to give the system a light spray with rose oil or some other fragrant scent that appeals to them. This will lure them to want to make contact with the game system.
Step 3: Start them out with a real funnsy. You know...Something like, You Don't Know Jack(one NOT 2) or Guitar Hero or some highly rated speciality game that may mirror a hobby or passion of theirs. Don't be dumping the Halo's, Disgaea's or Portals on them too early. These types of hard-core games can have a long term detrimental effect on your (Gender here please)friends mind. First Impressions are huge and if they are exposed to the hardcore too early, they will reinforce the cliches in their mind that all games are violent and masturbatory teenage fantasies manifest (which they are, but not wholly). Ease them into gaming, make them feel the fun. Most people like fun...most.
Step 4: Make the event a super-fun experience. Maybe feed them some Gin, black-cherry soda pop, purple stuff...whatever they like bestest . Make it into a pleasant experience for both of you. This will leave the good first-impression that will stay with them. Throw some romance into the mix. If playing a Wii or a more active game like Rock Band, be sure to give them the 'ole bump rub. You know the move....you gently bump up against yer partner and make a smooth transition to a rub on their side, back, shoulder, arm....where ever. All this bonding while they be gaming will make them want to game-on more.
You must be consistent in the fun-factor, and hold off on dragging them through hardcore games. A partner watching you try to level up to 9999, will become bored. Bored=no play for you! Your (?)friend loves attention...I guarantee this, and if you are focused on a game while not paying mind to them, the whole gaming experience will be rejected by them. Show them the good time gaming together can be, and they will want to share that with you on a regular basis.
I believe you can follow these steps to gaming bliss, but like I mentioned...be aware that you may release a gaming oni. They may take to the whole game-on ness like a louse to a hippie. You may be opening up a Pandora's Box, so try to instill in their mind the game fun through co operative play. This will steer them away from becoming a game junkie. If they do become an addict, there is only one joystick in the pad that will get any play. You've been warned.
Joystick 'n' Hand