Adventure Gaming - Lonely?

I'm interested in a lot of things & know many people - but I have yet to meet anyone who has an interest in playing Adventure Games - other genres yes! I love visiting Game Boomers but it would be so nice just to meet a bunch of friends socially to have a good old chinwag about what we're playing at the mo, what the game's like etc but there's just nobody! Is it the same for you?

Also, when I have mentioned I like Adventure Games - the reaction is usually one of amusement - most people associate games with the action games their boyfriends, husbands, sons (occasionally daughters) & mates play & have no concept that there are other types of games available.

A work colleague I have a good rapport with said she wished that her son would trade in some of his games as they were cluttering the place up - when I asked how many he had she indicated he had about 12! I laughed & told her that I was glad she was not MY mother as I have over 200 - her face was a picture & she couldn't stop laughing! Do you get this reaction??

People are generally surprised when I tell them that the main genre of video games that I play are adventure games. Maybe because they think I don't look smart enough to pull it off? lol!

I have friends and family who play adventure games. I have even recently discovered that one of my neighbors writes about the stress-reducing aspects of casual games.

The strangest reactions I receive are from young male gamers who really don't believe that a person of my gender and errr, mature age will enjoy gaming.

Hi

As a "Granny" I did used to attract some amused looks when I visited the local game shop in town (in the days when they did actually sell Adventures of course) but the Manager eventually got to know and respect me and actually started saving up questions from other customers (no walkthroughs then) because I had played so many games !!

And what a laugh THAT gave me

Cheers.

Mad

I'm a soon-to-be-retired high school teacher. When my students learn that I enjoy playing video games where no-one is shot and nothing is blown up or exploded, they assume that I am not quite sane. (When they discover that I do not own a cell phone, they assume I'm from another planet!)

I have generally found that most of the people I end up talking gaming with are hardly aware of the genre at first. There is amost no PC games offered in the 'mortar and brick' stores around here much less adventure games.
The MMORPG type of gaming have been making big inroads lately around here and I can understand the stores not selling many PC games anymore as the people who play those types of games spend so much time and their moneies on them there is not much demand for anything else.
A big draw of those types of games as well is the social aspect as the basic gameplay is mindless repetition. Many of the gamers use teamspeak or a similar program such as Ventrilo to be able to talk to one another in real time while they are playing. I am sure this helps to alleviate the boredom of actual gameplay.

As a side note I am curious if something like this was used for the online URU game, and I am not saying that URU was boring by any means but it might have helped with any lag issues if people only communicated via the keyboard. Kind of a moot point now anyway from what I have read in the forums here and I could be way off base as I do not know how communications were handled in there. Perhaps if enough interest in the social aspect is found such as it is this could be tried by some to see how it goes. Hearing a voice somethimes goes a lot further than reading typed words, but it is not the same as meeting someone still.

For the most part by nature PC gaming is an indivdual exercise but I have tried to make adventure gaming a little more social for my children and their friends by using only laptops for our PC's. This way they get carried around from room to room and generate some family time as someone always needs help to solve a puzzle and then onto other's homes where they share their adventure and hopefully have fun involving someone there solving a puzzle together.

I have several work colleagues who're avid gamers, though mostly FPS-ers. But I guess that's pretty much inevitable in an IT department


Gaming (particularly writing reviews for GB) and playing the bass guitar are two features that mean I'm considered a 'cool dad' by my 14-year old daughter (and her friends)!!

Gremlin

Like RNL where I am hardly any adventure games .My son says the games I play are nt always done right as over here there is little call for them.I say if we had more of a variaty there would be .Even Ian when I have down loaded some games he says that looks neat and always goes to optoins to try and get the game running as good as possible .I like playing Hafe Life as that as puzzals in as well and when Ian said I would like it I was nt sure but I do .He seemed to like Dead Reefs but he likes a more relistic game .The better the graffics .I cant see the point in a lot of shoot out games .War I can as that includes planning to but not for me .Condemmed I would say is action to but good story and puzzals .I dont even have a lot of friends with computors but there children do and I find my self talking to them and my friends saying not on about games and computors again .They just don t seem to under stand .Like not answering the phone as you are in the middle of some thing.Comments like bet you was on that computor .Casual games kids love and when a friends child comes down mine we play and I enjoy it .My own grand daughter likes driving tanks and yes you got it .Blowing things up and she is only 4 .I also play on the ds with my friends daughter as she as no idea and quite a few yrs younger than me .Sanatorium started it all for me .Me and my hubby basicly kiddnapped that game and my sons computer Sorry to go on

I've noticed when shopping for games I see more and more of us "seniors" looking at games too.

RNL -- both keyboard and voice can be used in Uru, though keyboard is used much more frequently than voice.

I loved the group gaming experience in Uru.

I don't have friends or family who share my interest either (it really would've been nice to share the fun, & exchange opinions with even one friend or family member).

I've gotten the feeling that most people don't really know what Adventure Games are... that when they hear "video/computer games", they think solely of 'shooters'.

I've never minded elbowing my way amongst the (mostly younger) game shoppers, 'tho I mostly buy online now. I remember when I was in my 20s, I was always impressed when I saw people who were my parents' age doing things & going places that were typically frequented by younger people. Today, I'd bet that they are just as (positively) impressed by me... hoping that when they get to be my age, they'll be as young-at-heart as 'that ol' lady' .
Happily, I found this worldwide community of my game-loving peers
... so, no more loneliness.

i buy all my games now online...hard for me to get around and also selection better online. But i used to go and not unusual to get a couple if they were good ones...did get some looks sometimes! haha. yes...i finally got a bit more comfortable w/the ''chat'' in URU and will miss those i chatted with on regular basis....(ones that are not HERE that is!!!). It does seem like meeting other adventure gamers in our cities or neighborhoods is unusual---that is why i am so glad for this site!!

I dont have friends that like or have interest in adventure games, and everybody that i tell about adventure games dont really know what adventure games are. The people in generally speaking has most preference for games that not have think very much.

I know of no one who plays adventure games, or even knows what an adventure game is! Which is okay, since I like playing alone anyhow. But it sure would be nice to have someone to chat with (outside of GameBoomers, of course!).

I have found recently there are more and more people interested in the concept of adventure games. I hear many parents saying to kids "youre not having that its too violent" So I think people are coming around. I was browsing the other day and a young man about 18 saw what I was looking at and asked me about them. I told him, and he ended up buying, a couple of days later I saw him again and he said he had never realized that these games existed and was now going to play these games only. I also was telling my Dr about playing (Im 72) and he said this was wonderful, keeps brain in gear and hands working. There are many benefits we dont realize. So Rock on boomers!!!!!

I posted and then had another thought. I mainly like playing the games and being on boomers because I can ask any question and not feel like an idiot, you all share my interest and dont consider ANY QUESTION stupid or crazy. I usually get an answer and can move on.


When you are a senior and you do something wrong you are old and stupid, when you you do something right you are wise and experienced.

My experience with Adventure games is pretty much the same as the rest of you. Except for one nephew who helped me figure out Myst years ago, no one else among my family or friends plays adventure games or even knows what they are. Although my sister has listened to me talk about them, ad nauseum, and I've forced her to watch some "really cool" stuff, she has a pretty good idea what they're about - but still has no desire to play them.

Of the people I know personnaly I don't know anyone eles that plays. I been telling my sister how much fun I have playing. She said she would like to try out one so I am going to lend one to her. It would be nice to have close friends to talk to about these games. Well I am thankful for you guys even if I don't see you face to face. I can share my thoughts here. I believe we need to keep spreading the word about adventure games. I don't like the action adventure games either.

I don't know any one who plays Adventure games either I get those looks too I didn't know Adventure games existed until I found this site 2 yrs.ago,I bought Syberia and was hooked from then on.When I got stuck it took me about 3 days to get up the nerve and ask for help,I didn't want anyone to say boy she's stupid.So I asked in hints and got my ans.and no one said a thing also got directed to a walkthrough.I'm a little wiser now on how to play a game,don't need a walkthrough as much I play games on the PS3 too.My son plays them with me when he comes on the weekends,it's nice to be able to talk with him about the game we're playing.I'm thankful for this site for my Adv.gaming and chatting

You Boomers that have someone to play with or talk to about
your games are so lucky.
My story is the same as most of you.No one understands our
love for these games.
I have a good friend that is a Boomer that we met here.
June and i talk gaming swop games and just have fun talking
about our family and friends.
She lives in Cal. i live in Pa..
We will never meet or hear each others voice but
she is a good friend... Ron

I find it very interesting. I travel alot since I work for an airline (which by the bye, can be an adventure in itself; more often than not). The funny thing is -- I usually take a laptop with me and while I'm playing one of my adventures I usually find passengers looking over my shoulder wondering just what kind of "movie" I'm watching -- I find this hysterical.

Sometimes I do play game (especially the Nancy Drews with my sister long distance. Meaning we are on the phone with each other playing the game together.

inferno

I converted my mother to adventure games a couple of years ago, and she has played most of the same games as I have, give or take a few. Her favourites are the Nancy Drews; her least favourites are any that involve wandering around in circles for hours going nowhere. I find it interesting how our brains work in different ways. A puzzle that I find quite complex (i.e. completely befuddling) she can solve within minutes, and vice versa. We have a Sunday ritual: she comes to visit, plays my games, drinks my wine, and we gab about what's current, what's due to be released, and generally have a grand old time.

No one I know plays adventure games or RPG's for that matter. I wish like crazy I knew someone in person who did. You guys are the only ones I can talk too...even my partner who does not game rolls her eyes when I try to talk about my adventures.

Some of the problem is I am older and most people my age think having fun on the computer leads to being a degenerate (seriously, you can't imagine the number of times I have had to explain I don't game for the blood and gore but for the adventure and thinking about how to solve things. Also I that I don't get uncontrollabe urges to fix all my problems with blowing people away). I still read and watch PBS and take walks and talk about the 60's BUT I like modern technology too and it hasn't ruined me as a human being.

At work when ever I mention adventure computer games people say "oh I use the computer all day, I don't want to play on it at night". But I don't know I just really look forward to playing an hour or two every third night or so. Its like reading Magic books or sci-fi or historical fiction but getting to sorta live it too.

That's sounds really nice Rushes... . Hope my mother was fond of adventure games too. She only playing Tetris in her shell phone...

Through Adventure games I have met some great people. A few I have managed to meet in the physical world - so there is a group of us in the UK who meet up fairly regularly.

Nipoma expressed my feelings perfectly.

I used to game with my sister (she is responsible for this addiction). Now she is too busy but such is life

Actually my step-mother thinks I'm absolutely barmy for playing adventure games. She makes it seem like I'm some kind of depressive recluse for being more interested in games than I am in the "real" world. I'm 38 (on May 14th) and she says that I'm too old and mature to be playing these games and need to get out and have a life.

She pretty much closed her mouth though when I told her about the people on here that are older than me that feel the same way.

My Dad has always enjoyed console games, he's had them all. He now has my old laptop with him in Florida so he is becoming introduced to the games I have on there from Bigfish.

I've kind of gotten a friend of mine into the Hidden Object games but she's not as obsessed with them as we all are. Just can't get her into the adventure games though. With a husband and 3 kids she just doesn't have the time to really get into an adventure game.

Chrissie, are you aware we have a UK adventure convention & regular London meetings ? Here is the link , no date for the next meet but if you go via Waterloo I can meet you there & we can go together http://www.adventureconvention.co.uk/

If you click on the Hamilton Halls link you can see some of us. I am the quiet blonde lady

Hi JennyP, I knew that a few Uk gamers met up once in a while & I was hoping to come along to the one near Liverpool Street station a couple of years ago but something cropped up. Didn't realise that it was a regularly organised event & that there was a whole website!! I'd love to come along the next time you meet up in London (if I can) so will keep an eye on the site (now in my faves!) Thank you so much for E-mailing & posting the info & link here - I would have to go via Waterloo & would love to meet you there first! N.B. I looked at the photos & saw a blonde lady - hard to tell whether she was quiet or not!

I'm in the same boat as most of you. Nobody I know plays adventure games. The closest is a couple of guys at work that play a few RPG's. We were all playing Morrowind at the same time a few years ago and that was really fun. My husband likes to tease me about playing my games but I just usually ignore him. It would be great to know someone personally who enjoyed adventure games. I thought I might be able to get my mom into them, especially with the CSI games but so far no luck. Sigh, at least I have Gameboomers.

Steph

I can relate to what so many of you are saying-that you're the only one who plays CGs. I'm in the over 60 retired crowd and none of my friends have ever heard of adv. games-they have a concept that all games are sadistic, violent, ect. and only deranged teenage boys play them.
Some my age(especially women) have nothing to do with computers at all.
So Gameboomers is my outlet to discuss games and get help & advice, which makes gaming much more enjoyable to all the wonderful, friendly folks here-what would I do without ya!
I don't play all the time-just a couple hours or so before dinner usually, so it takes me forever to finish a game, but I enjoy it because:
Keeps mind and reflexes sharper.
escape from the everyday world
imaginary adventures and environments
just plain fun

I wouldn't accuse you of being quiet Jenny!

Hope you can make the next meeting Chrissie - you live closer than some of us who go!

If only we could get someone like AOL to print up a story on how boomers are hooked on Adventure Games!!!! I have absolutely no contacts, or I would do it myself. Perhaps there are those of you who do have these contacts. We need a story of what adventure games are like. There are many boomers that are bored to death, believe me!!! I'll bet there are those of you who have contacts to turn this into a "national" story.

Teddo

I don't really care when people say that I waste my time playing adventures. I'd say that such games are great brain teasers and are a great anti stress therapy

I think the adventure/puzzle genre tends to be viewed as a more 'work intensive' or 'academic' style of game. While this is true in some cases, a lot of the adventure games I've played, and indeed some of my favorites aren't all that difficult in regards to puzzles or mental work.

I think the reason for the lack of appeal to younger audiences is simply that younger audiences are more reactive in terms of playing games.

I -do- see a slow change, or at the least, mingling of typical adventure gaming and typical action gaming. There are subtle changes creeping in to modern action games. There is a renewed emphasis on setting, on story, on exploration. Puzzles (basic ones mostly) are appearing in action games. The "Achievement" reward systems implemented in things like X-Box 360 Live, and Valve's Steam gaming service encourage players to go back to a game and explore and be thorough and to take their time.

I think we're going to see more adventure gaming in the coming years rather than the opposite. I think we'll see more adventure game elements in action and rpg games as well.

Thanks for those thoughts, Smougman.

Peter, I hope to meet up with Chrissie so we can travel part of the way together. I am a very quiet shy retiring person when I am asleep !

Good for you Jenny - have you appeared with Trinny yet by the way?

I too frequently find myself having to explain what an adventure game is, compared to a shoot N kill game, usually after I see a shocked face looking at this gray haired lady announcing that the game I'm buying is indeed for ME to play!

Peter, watch out for the prog S ( yes, I was so quiet they popped me in 2 programmes ) to be aired sometime this autumn.

I would love to join a local adventure gaming club and meet other people who share my interest, but the next best thing is Gameboomers. I do have a very dear friend who drags me to the store as soon as a new Nancy Drew is released. She stays over however many nights it takes us to finish it. We call this our "Nancy Drew sleepovers" and sometimes we get so engrossed, we forget to let the dogs out.

Although some of my friends play computer games, not many of them are into adventure games. Most just don't have the time anymore to play adventure games even though they love old games like Monkey Island or Broken Sword. However, they're not as up-to-date on new adventure games as I am since I seem to be the only one who plays them regularly. So if I want to chat with other people about new or old games, I come to a board like this one.

As for other people's reaction to me playing computer games: There are people who don't understand this at all. In their minds, computer games are a waste of time and they're linked to shooters. While reading books, for example, is an acknowledged hobby, playing computer games is not. Some guy I know even told me he didn't approve of me playing a lot because he thought it was a waste of time - that, by the way, ruined the tiny chance he might have had of becoming more than a friend to me *g* I understand that there are people who don't get the fascination that can come from a computer game and that these people would never play a game simply because they're not interested. But telling me that I'm wasting my time when playing is way too bold because, after all, it's my time and I don't feel like wasting it.

Hello Everyone-
I'm really enjoying this thread- and am amazed at how many of us retired folk are here on GB! And have noone in the real world who shares this interest.

As far as "wasting time" goes- there are lots more things besides CGs that people our age waste time on: mindless TV shows, complaining about doctors and health problems, gossiping,reading supermarket tabloids, ect, ect. So, IMO, what gives others the right to judge what is or is not "wasting" time?

Playing games and checking in with GB helps me feel young. The games are keeping the brain active and engaged-figuring out puzzles and how to progress in the game, instead of passively watching.Also writing a review of a game and reading others' comments on it is involving mind and personality-a great feeling.

As long as we have Gameboomers, us lone gamers will have companions in the gaming world

Hi Jehane, a lot of my friends, family & my work colleagues don't share my interest in AGs but all respect (even if they laugh!) that it is one of my passions. Any one that tells you that that they disapprove of ANY interest of yours because they consider it a waste of time, are either not interested in you & your welfare or they are a control freak who has no respect - whatever, you don't need them!!!

Speaking of mature gamers, I had a friend online who was 73 years old. He preferred node-node movement; Tex Murphy allowed too much freedom of movement! Other than that, he really liked gaming.

Exactly Needless to say, I'm no longer in touch with that guy *g* I don't share all interests of my friends, naturally, but I respect their passions just as they respect my playing games a lot. They might not understand why I keep playing games but they won't go as far as to say they don't approve.

Still, I think most people consider gaming a strange hobby, something suited for kids and juveniles. I must admit that before I started playing myself (rather late, I was 30 years old by then :)) I thought that the majority of gamers might be in their teens or early twenties. I've joined various adventure boards since then and was delighted to find out that there's a vast crowd of "mature" gamers out there, that is to say, gamers that have already left their 30s and 40s, even 50s behind Until I discovered the boards, I didn't know these people existed; I thought gaming was something for teens and students, probably because most adults I know don't play games anymore. Some did when they were still students and had the time; they either lost interest or just don't have the time anymore.

Just want you to know that as a direct result of starting this thread I no longer feel so lonely. I have since met up with JennyP a couple of times for coffee & 'shoppity shop' (not necessarily in that order! ) & again on Saturday to make it to the 'meet' at Hamilton Halls. I couldn't have hoped for a nicer & more interesting group of people to spend a few hours with & hope to meet them all again in August but can't commit just yet to the weekend Convention in October. I learnt that day I didn't know what a true text adventure was & have today downloaded one of DoreenB's to try - currently stuck trying to get something out of a cupboard!

Hi chrissie,
I'm interested in this text adventure by DoreenB and would like to know where you found the download. I started adventure gaming with the Scott Adams text adventures until Sierra came along. It might be nice to try one again.

sierramindy, most of their games can be accessed Here.

Ana

I went to Here and found 3 games by Doreen Bardon. Checked out CAT to see what the download would be like for the games. It has: Type Compressed (zipped) Folders. I don't know how to Unzip files. The Ace site is "being revamped" and will not be back until the middle of June.
I was thinking of maybe playing the same game as chrissie so I could get help (and maybe even give help) when needed. Any interest there, chrissie, or would it be too much trouble to show me how to download a Zipped file? Or whatever.

To unzip a zipped file, just download, right click and say to extract all.

Ana

Easy for you to say, Sassy Mod, because you know what you are doing, but I don't have the foggiest notion of what I'm doing! The download link says not to open or save the file if one does not trust the source and I don't know this source at all. It says the same thing when I download Peter's Jigsaws but I know exactly how to do those so I'm okay with that source. (I'm on puzzle #229 so I should be!) What's the risk? In this case I have no idea!

Well, it is up to you to trust the source or not. You wanted the link, I provided the link. I certainly cannot control the way you feel in regards to trusting a site, in fact I wouldn't even begin to try to tell you how to feel. Whether you decide to download is out of my hands.

Ana

Well, I thought if chrissie answered she would tell me the name of the game she was stuck in and where she downloaded it from and I would trust her, so I would try to do it then. Otherwise, I'm just going to pass. But I do thank you, Ana, and appreciate your help too, honest.

Hi sierramindy, I downloaded Doreen's 'Feeding Time' via the same link Ana gave you. You don't need to download anything else other than just the game.

It's a bonafide link & there is no reason not to trust it.
Have fun!

Going back to the original topic, we had a great gamers meet up last Saturday ! And I managed to gain a new top without shoppity shopping !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My coworkers are into console games and didn't know what I was talking about when I said I played PC adventure games.

I'm trying to download Feeding Time at the CAT site and I clicked on the title and then clicked on OPEN and got a whole mess of files that I have no idea where to click next, like Right click but on what? Or instead of OPEN should I have gone with the SAVE choice? I'm afraid to try it, wimp that I am.
Considering how long I've been around computers I should know more about what I'm doing, but before now I just let my husband do it all for me. So why don't I ask him now? You might wonder, but the thing is he no longer plays games for one, for two I have my own computer not one of his old ones and my set-up is different from his (even our forums are quite different) and three he knows what to do when he is doing it himself but he can't explain what it is he is doing too well. He does it instinctively somehow, so he can't rightly explain. And gets frustrated when he tries and I don't follow him. He takes like giant steps and I want tiny ones!

sierramindy, you need to save the file, not open it. Save it somewhere you can easily find it, such as your desktop. Once the file has downloaded there, then you can right-click and extract the file. Assuming you already have the WinZip program on your PC?

sierramindy, when I downloaded Feeding time I saved it first but had to look for it on my PC because I forgot to click Desktop.

In trying to help out here I've downloaded another of Doreen's games & 'opened' it (rather than saved it) - to try & see where it went & how it can be accessed. Unless anyone can help out in the meantime I'll work it out & get back by this time tomorrow hopefully with some instructions! Sorry, I'm in a different time zone - nearly time to sleep & I have to work tomorrow!

PS In the meantime if you come across one of the program files with an icon of a black cat - clicking on that should start the game!

I'm getting nowhere fast. I tried SAVE and now have 2 icons on my desktop, but can't find the game! I've tried the Extraction Wizard but that only confuses me, asks questions I don't know how to answer. I click everything but nothing helps. In My Documents I have an icon of a black kitty, what is that?
I've had Tom helping me as he got curious about what I was doing, but he couldn't figure out where I was going wrong because he doesn't know just what game I'm trying to find. I told him it was a text adventure as he noticed that it was a small download for a game. That's more than I noticed.
Hi chrissie,
Any help will be appreciated, and I'm more curious about the game than ever, but if this proves to be too bothersome for you (I know you have many other things to do) just let me know and it will be okay.

It was great to meet you Chrissie on Saturday for the first time! Look forward to meeting you again!

(For some of these games you need to install a player - I'm not familiar with CAT but there may be a CAT program you also need besides the game.)

I'm 58 and no one I know plays PC adventures games. Most don't even like computers. Put me in front of a computer and I'm happy, especially with an adventure game going. Most people are into the Wii and Xbox games. And why is it that online or in stores, they lump action/adventure into one group? That might be why a lot of people balk when you say Adventure Game. Don't you get tired of explaining the difference. (I love this thread too!)

Birddog, you have a lot of company in being aggravated that the games are all lumped into Action/Adventure. I know part of the problem is that what one person defines as "action" is not necessarily what the person next to them would call "action."

Glad you found us!

If anyone asks, I say I like "puzzle games" or "games where you solve puzzles." No one would know what I was talking about if I said "adventure games," and the games I like are closer to puzzle games than they are to action or action/adventure games.

I like adventure games as I find them more relaxing .I always thought that was the idea .Hello Birddog I am 53 and not many of my friends have computors either even the younger ones .If I have an adventure game I am happy .

Hi Dragonuk44. I too find them relaxing and love getting lost in the stories. Any time my two sons talk about computers is to get me to come over and take care of a problem they have!

The last time I was in a store looking for a new gaming keyboard the 20 something male clerk made the comment that women are awfull at computer games because they lack the ability to process the information logically like males ROFLOL.

My husband just shook his head and commented that he hoped such an attitude wasn't hereditary. I told him not to worry, that with that attitude it was unlikely te young man would ever have the opportunity to reproduce himself

Needless to say, I purchased my rather expensive backlit keyboard elsewhere Now to find some new adventure games to play

The story is the main thing to me .Like reading a book .I get lost .

That was a dumb sales clerk. I wouldn't say something that would drive my customers away.

Texana, they have backlit keyboards? That sounds cool. I may have to find one.

thracia

Sounds like that particular clerk didn't have the ability to process information logically. What a dope to treat a customer that way.

What in the world is a back-lit keyboard?

The keys light up underneath and the letters do also. I have This one. It's a pretty blue in 3 different intensities.

Ana

Hi sierramindy, have you tried double-clicking on the black kitty - on my PC the folder for Feeding Time was in my documents also. If I click on the folder there are a lot of files in there including the icon of the kitty with 'feed' next to it. Clicking on that for me started the game, the bad news is there doesn't seem to be any way of saving! It is also entirely text (no visuals) - I think that is how it supposed to be?





Thank you Peter, it was nice to meet you too & hope to make it to Hamilton Halls again in August.

The game is included in a list as not needing a CAT program to be able to play. I have played through a bit but as mentioned to sierramindy there seems no way of saving!

Is that why they call it a text adventure.


Bernard

Well all of my friends thought that playing a game was shooting a zombie or having a ride with a fast car! When I explain then what kind of games I play they stare at me with absolute surprise trying to realize what 'adventure' game is meaning! They get curious asking questions so I begin by giving details and telling stories that have intrigued me such as Syberia (of course), The Longest Journey, Still Life (what a game!) etc. As for playing an adventure game I think until now is a really lonely procedure. Sitting alone in my room, no lights on, just the music and the story-faces on my screen. I have to tell you that it is great. These worlds we come up with is something that needs a lot of talking to end up at a conclusion. I feel lucky playing these games....

I never knew a Text Adventure was just text I thought it was just a game (with pictures) that you typed in all the commands i.e. text!

I started gaming on text adventures. It hones your logic but it is based on the logic of the developers. To flow through the game, you have to learn or understand what the developers way of doing things.
The scenery is left to your imagination and thus sharpen the creative side of the brain.
One reason that I prefer the later games is because the developers have more imagination than I can create and makes it more enjoyable seeing one that is maybe more beautiful or more frightening or more colorful than I can create myself.

I can totally see the appeal of Text Adventures in their day but I very much prefer something more visual. I agree MaG that it is more enjoyable to see the developers' vision rather than trying to imagine it yourself, which I think can be very much limited to your own experiences.

Hi chrissie,
Thank you, I found the game and started playing it, and it took me back to my very early adventure gaming. Unfortunately, it has also reminded me that I wasn't very good at playing these games by myself, but back then my husband and several (mind you, more than one, believe it or not) of his fellow workers were also into these games.
I've opened the fridge (10 whole points, yippee!) and found a tub with butter. And already I'm stuck! The cat is there looking mean, probably starving poor thing, waiting for me to do what?

Hi BrownEyedTigre,
Thanks for your answer, that is a very interesting keyboard, but more complicated than what I need. I wouldn't mind having a keyboard where the "s" key is lit.

Hi sierramindy, glad you were able to start the game - you seem to have got a bit further on than I have! But it's the 1st time I've ever come across this sort of game so I haven't had any practise!

Hi chrissie,
Are you still playing this game?
I'm trying, but not getting very far, only 20 out of the 380 points so far. There is a way to save this game but I haven't bothered so far. Have to make a folder and I'm not sure I know how, but no point if I am the only one playing this game as I certainly could use some help or at least input for ideas. I'm stuck after going to the kitchen, the garden, alleyway, and the back yard. I could help you get that far if you haven't made it already as I wrote down my commands/moves. Maybe it isn't worth trying any longer but I would like to know what you think. Had some interesting fun so far anyway.

Hi sierramindy, I've got some other commitments at the moment so haven't had time to play any games at all! I am intending on carrying on with this game when I get some time - possibly at the weekend - it depends on how long it's going to take me to catch up with my paperwork! When I do get a chance to carry on playing I will probably appreciate some help! Thank you for offering! Don't give up yet - I'll be back! but when I am will start a thread in hints.

Sounds good, so I will check out Hints over the weekend and maybe together we can finish the game.

Hi everyone
I have only just joined GB even though I have used the WTs occaisionally over the years when hitting a very tricky problem. I am so pleased to find that I am not the only retired female (67) who still plays. I started with the original Colossal Caves in 1979 when I was introduced to it at an Open University summer school, playing via teletype and only after 10pm as earlier it would slow down the OU's computer too much I was able to get a copy to put on my first home PC 3 years later (ICL was kind enough to sell to employees at 50% discount, 12 mths to pay). Suprisingly I didn't find the other text games of this era such as Zork. Next step was the first IBM compatible PC and discovering Sierra games. First one was Conquest of Camelot, then onto King's Quest, Quest for Glory (my all time favourite series) etc, etc.
Special hello to all you other UK dwelling peeps. I wish I had found this thread last week so I could have been at your meeting last Sat, but I will join you in August, and intend going to Coventry in Oct.
Like many of you I don't know anyone else who plays adventure games, or understands what they are At least, husband understands, we played Colossal Caves together, but he doesn't get turned on to modern games. Chrissie, what is the game you have at the moment? If I get that I might get him playing with me again
Sorry rather long ramble, must go back to beating my brains out on Atlantis Evolution - I should have read the review first...
Frances

Hi Frances, and to GameBoomers from a fellow Brit. All age groups post here, you're not the oldest by any stretch! Have fun playing Atlantis Evolution/beating your brains out!

Hi Frances -- welcome to GameBoomers!

to Gameboomers Frances.

Thanks for the welcomes folks

Frances

Hi Frances to GameBoomers. It would be lovely to see you at the next meet in August & I don't think you'll be the oldest one there!

The game I downloaded is called 'Feeding Time' by Doreen Bardon. It's a purely text adventure & you can find it along with a few others by following BrownEyedTigre's link 'Here' on page 5 of this thread (sorry, I haven't worked out how to post links yet!)


Hi sierramindy I've been bogged down in paperwork all day & have a little more to do tomorrow so may not have time this weekend to play much of anything so might have to delay until during the next week!

Hi chrissie, the easiest way to post a link is to Switch to Full Reply Screen and use the left icon (globe with keyboard). It will lead you through the procedure.


Bernard

Thank you Bernard, I will 'experiment' next time.

Hi Chrissie

Thanks for the info, I'll download it soon and see if I can entice Rick back into the fold. Yes it will be great to meet up with other adventurers in Aug.

Frances

http://www.adventureconvention.co.uk/

For all UK folk - here is the link to the website. We are all very friendly ... I am the quiet shy blonde lady who never shops.
See you in August

I know nothing.

I am a senior who loves to play video games, and I've found that Adventure games require you to use your brain while First Person Shooters like GTA 4 & GOW (Grand Theft Auto 4 & Gears of War) are mindless shoot em ups that are more about fast reflexes than brain power. Thats why our younger generation goes after them. They don't want to use their minds to solve a problem or a puzzle, but they would rather spend their time mindlessly mowing down wave after wave of AI enhanced enemies.

Unfortunately for those of us who like Adventure gaming we are going to see fewer and fewer Adventure game titles coming out. I haven't played a new Adventure game since Barrow Hill and The Sacred Rings came out. I too have been forced into playing these mindless shoot em ups Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying these type of games are not fun to play but, give me a good Adventure game any day of the week.

That's why I'm so looking forward to the new Dracula 3

Hi Hemlock -- have you seen the GameBoomers' Recent Releases page here? Lots of adventure games that released after Barrow Hill and Sacred Rings!

Hemlock - 2 little words .... Lost Crown.

I'm so enjoying this thread. I first joined this site years ago because the name gameboomers represented my age group (I'll be fifty in October) and I was amazed how many "women of a certain age" love this type of game. I started with the King's Quest games in the 80's and haven't stopped since. I played alot with my daughter (now 31) and those are the only games she enjoys despite her husband who loves the shooters. I plan on teaching my grandkids (now 2 and 4) to play these kinds of games as well. Otherwise the new generation will take over and all we'll have are the action games.
But, like many of you I don't know anyone in my area who enjoys these, and although I do most of my buying online (Dave at InteractCD rocks) when I do go to a store people do look at you funny-most everyone near me could defintely be my child
My husband thinks I'm nuts (although he should talk as he has a serious addiciton to playing hearts online). I'll often drag him into my study to show him some opening scene or ask for help on a puzzle, but generally he just shakes his head.
I'm just grateful for this site-everyone is always friendly and as someelse expressed you never feel dumb when you ask a question. Gameboomer's is simply the best. Ever.
Margie

Hello Tazmanw I am also in my 50s and I regualy visit gameboomers .I love my adventure games and like you my husband is nt so hot on with advenure games but it is nice to talk to others who have the same hobby .It keeps the grey matter going

I think not! GTA is a 3rd person shooter, anyway. I can't speak for Gears of War, but GTA does require more than fast reflexes. And, come on, do adventure games really require much brain power?? You occasionally get a hard puzzle here and there. A good FPS requires a lot of brain power in addition to good reflexes. Modern FPS enemy AI is smart, and there are often multiple ways to approach a situation. You can do the exact sequence over and over again in FEAR, Far Cry, or Max Payne, trying to find a better strategy. And that's just single player. If you go online and play Team Fortress 2 you'll encounter ever changing strategies presented by other live humans. TF2 also requires teamwork, which adds even more strategy. These are games are the exact opposite of mindless. TV is mindless.

I understand that many gameboomers don't like FPSs, but claiming that adventure games are somehow smarter is just ridiculous. Personally, I'm terrible at real time strategy (Starcraft), and prefer turn based (Civilization). I could claim that turn based requires more thinking, but this is simply untrue. I'm just bad at it, and RTSs are complex and difficult. You should be able to admit this too: FPSs are just too hard for you. Don't disparage an entire huge genre because of that.

Sorry to be argumentative, but I keep seeing things like this here and it's frustrating. GTA is, in spite of the violence and immorality, one of the best games ever. Half-Life 2 (FPS) has a better story than almost any adventure game I've played, and even includes some really cool physics based puzzles that any gameboomer would enjoy.

Hi cl0vis -- although some of us (myself included) stick pretty much to just adventure games, there are others of us who enjoy other genres too -- you can tell by stopping by the GameBoomers' Darkside and Casual Games forums. Even those of us who do play mostly adventure games often have family members who play other genres.

It's impossible to make progress in games from any genre without using your brains. Adventures test your brains rather than your reflexes, which is why I like them. I've made it through action sequences in adventures (including the shooting gallery in WANTED and the General's High Council in The Experiment), but I just don't like them.

I made it through the combat sequences in Dreamfall, but I liked fighting even less than other forms of action. I don't like hurting anyone, even a virtual character in a game. Repeatedly beating another character into submission (for me) requires a disengagement from the actual act -- I'm not sure that this is actually mindlessness, but it feels a bit like it.

Hafe life is more like action adventure and I must admit it as got a good story and would never have thought to play it till my son had me trying it out .Like Becky just arent keen on fighting as my nan always said it takes all sorts

The only combat I ever enjoyed was fighting the skellys & orcs in Kings Quest 8

tazmanw, I agree alot with your post. I turned 50 in April. My daughter is home from college and plays Sims 2 all the time. She will play a ND from time to time but mainly it's Sims. My son is on his own, but loves the Xbox shooter types. My husband too tolerates my "addiction", shops with me for games, looks at the cool things I see on the screen, and even helps me if he can. I guess that is why GB is so great, there is alot of us out there that can get together even though there is miles and sometimes oceans separating us.

A funny thing happened to me (beside all the twenty something guys too in the stores that think I have no idea about computers, specs or games) , is that I have worked with special needs kids. I was working with spelling and the word had a "z" in it. I was trying to make sure I made it clear so I said "z as in....Zelda." The child said, "YOU know who Zelda is??" I said "Yes, I have played many Zelda games, in fact that is how I got started playing games". He had a shocked look on his face and said, "YOU play Zelda???". I had to try not to laugh and said "Yes, I play Zelda and other games too". He was in total shock!!! He didn't know I was sooo cool!

In fact, my 2 year old grandson now begs me to get out the laptop and play the "dragon game" which is a BFG majong game. I have some muppet things for him now and ISPY when he is older. Gotta pass it on!

Koalanut

I don't know anyone enloy playing adventure games... Only RPGs and action games. That's why i love chit chat with all you . Finally i have someone to talk about adventures!

Not a lot where I am from to .Just don t see them on the selves in the shop .I do talk to a friends boy friend about a few point and click games as he as played a few.The rest just look at me and say oh talking computors again .Not interested they just seem to think I am a little mad ......Maybe just a little

Oh my, I didn't know there were so many *kids* here on GameBoomers! I mean those of you who are 50 years old.

I knew when I replied to this post someone would take offense to my comments, and that was not my intention.





cl0vis I should have chosen some better examples. You are correct GTA 4 is a third person shooter as is GOW. I should have used Halo, Far Cry or Half Life 2 as examples or I should have refered to them just a shooters.


I do enjoy playing other Genre's also Check out my games . I guess I should have been more straightforward in my opinion. I prefer playing Adventure games at my age, because it does help the ole grey matter as someone put it in one of the above posts. Also The shooter genre does have some great games, and I own a lot of them, and I agree that they have some great story lines and that they require you to do some quick thinking. But not everyone. Especially us older folks have the cat like reflexes to play these type of games. While I can hold my own in most of them, there are a few that I can't. I guess its the repetitive and unrelenting mowing down of enemy after enemy that I find can get boring and old after awhile. However, trying to solve an extremely difficult puzzle never gets old to me.

So, you agree then right ;-) I don't know, besides Doom 3, I haven't played too many FPSs recently that are involve simply mowing down enemies, except a couple that got worse ratings than adventure games on Gamespot. The ones I've played present different situations, cinematic events, and replayability. Halo is pretty boring though; I have no idea why that became so popular. It's one bright spot is that it's a playable FPS with a controller.

Anyway, have you played half-life 2? If you haven't, and this is a general recommendation, go buy The Orange Box. If you put the difficulty on easy the fighting is pretty minor in Half-life. What you'll see are some really interesting physics based puzzles; unlike any I've seen in a standard adventure game. And the you are usually in a "safe area" for those puzzles; you aren't rushed. You get all the Half-life 2 episodes so far, and, OF COURSE, you get Portal! Any adventure gamer should enjoy the puzzles in Portal, and the hilarious GlaDos. Portal and Half-life 2 contain elements that should be in adventure games now, and that could really bring the genre into the 21st century. I really do love adventure games, but the genre is completely stagnant. I'm working on a longer article about this. I know you all just can't wait ;-)

Oh, and I was not offended ;-)

Oh, and to the person who didn't enjoy the fighting sequences in some adventure games: that's because those sequences are terrible!! They almost ruin the games. Just about as bad as the "action" sequences in Indigo Prophecy.

cl0vis