Consoling over the Holiday
Filed under: Community Games , Games , Media , Xbox 360
Christmas was a bit crazier this year. Normally we travel to the Great White North (aka Canada), but this year we stayed in Palo Alto and had my wife’s family stay with us. This meant having a lot more people in the house than bedrooms. But I loved it. I love having people over and it was great to see the kids playing together.
I still find it amazing (and fantastic) how consoles are playing such a predominate role in entertaining a holiday crowd. Last year we played a ton of Guitar Hero. This year it was Scene It?: Best of Show. In fact, Scene It? was the nightly pre-bed ritual for four us.
The surprising Holiday habit, however, belonged to my sister-in-law’s husband. He isn’t a hard-core gamer but he does enjoy racing and sandbox games. So what was surprising? He was completely addicted to CarneyVale Showtime, the 400 MS Points Community Game.
Rob doesn’t care about Indie developers or small versus large games. He cares about being entertained, and CarneyVale was something that very clearly kept him entertained. In fact, while we nearly finished the game during his visit he purchased it when he got home.
While most of the family left prior to the New Year, my father-in-law remained and has helped us with the move to the Seattle area. He isn’t a gamer (and no goading will change that) but the 360 did become a nightly video rental machine.
As for me, I didn’t have a lot of time to game over the Holidays but I did manage to play a few other Community Games and finish Gears of War 2. I also received a couple games as presents; first on my list to play is Fallout 3 … once I have at least 60 to 80 hours available.
So that’s how my consoles were used this past Holiday. I hope everyone had some restful time-off and have had a great start to the new year.
We picked up SceneIt as well and spent the whole New Year's day playing.
Here's the formula:
1) No motivation to do anything productive
2) A group of 4 hung over friends with nothing better to do you
3) Hung over
Good times
... so said 'Dan Nieuwland' on 01/08/2009 @ 09:36:44 AM [Direct Link]
I can understand the “CarneyVale Showtime” addiction. I’ve finished/unlocked all levels and am 9 stars away from having them all (5 for 5 in all but that last 3 levels). Great game. As for Fallout 3, I think you should be budgeting more like 100 to 150 hours. I’ve been playing that thing FOREVER! :-) So, how was the move? How’s Microsoft going?
-Todd
P.S. See if you can get Microsoft to allow achievements in Community Games. I want at least one for “CarneyVale Showtime”. :-)
... so said 'Todd' on 01/08/2009 @ 11:25:01 AM [Direct Link]
Hey Dan, SceneIt? is definitely a great group game. Of course, if you aren't a movie person it can be a bit rough. My wife and I watch a fair number of films so I think my brother-in-law felt a bit overwhelmed ... though I think he needs glasses too :#
Hey Todd, ya, I need to finish CarneyVale. I've finished most of it but having trouble on the final two levels. I too would love to see Achievements in Community Games. I do want to dig into Fallout 3. This was my first week of work and having just moved I haven't had much time to game #just checked out a few more Community Games). Plus, I don't have an HDTV here at corporate housing, the SD TVs here are pretty bad, and the office desk isn't a great spot for gaming. I think these are some great incentives to find a house :).
... so said 'Joseph Molnar' on 01/10/2009 @ 12:50:27 PM [Direct Link]