Episode 17 - Getting Back Into The Hobby
Have you or your friends ever considered getting back into gaming? Do you want to relive the games of your childhood, or perhaps show your friends and family what it was like? Where do you start? What’s the best bang for your buck? In this episode, Aaron and Chris help lay the groundwork for those of us who would like to get back into the hobby. Whether you’re looking at retro or newer-generation gaming, we have some input for you. In our Found it on Twitch segment, Chris introduces us to one of the most old-school and intriguing streamers in its history: DansGaming. Aaron gives his impressions of Kid Chameleon and Alex Kidd (double feature!), and Chris relives the past excitement with Earthworm Jim. In light of our “getting back into the hobby” focus this episode, the gamers choose some of their favorite games to relive: Katamari Forever (Chris’ assignment) and Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Aaron’s assignment).
Show Notes:
- BCG Discussion Topic - Getting Back Into The Hobby
-The BCG community can be a resource for friends, family, and coworkers that are getting into video games either for the first time or returning after being away for a while
-Why would we want to get back into games?
-Ability to effectively tell a story is increased from earlier times
-Examples: Last of Us, Uncharted, Gone Home, Shadow of the Colossus
-Ability to bond with others via multiplayer; less of a barrier to entry
-Music, art, and overall environmental factors are much more compelling
-"Art in motion"
-The "ice breaker" - a good way to quickly bond with people and break down barriers
-Commonalities are apparent when playing games together
-There are primarily three (3) categories of people that we meet in this group, and each needs different advice:
-Former gamers who want to play the games they remember from their childhood
-This gamer is solely interested in retro games, but has often sold off their hardware/games in the past
-The cost of reacquiring original hardware/games can be shocking, depending on how far back they go. The SNES is a common point where people drop off, and may of those classic games are well above the cost of a new release.
-Focus needs to be on getting them the games they want in the cheapest way possible.
-Brand new gamers or former gamers that are drawn back in by a new release
-This gamer knows what they want today, but often has questions about what else they might play on the console they're buying
-You have to understand their tastes and give them some reassurance of other games on the console they might enjoy to convince them to take the plunge
-Brand new gamers or former gamers that skipped console generations, now wanting to play the classic games that they missed.
-This gamer isn't necessarily interested in playing new releases, but needs some guidance and recommendations of what to get
-Often the hardest to work with because tastes vary widely and you really have to work hard to personalize a list of games that would appeal
-Most of these gamers only want to buy one console, so you have to recommend one that has the greatest possible number of games they may like - Found It On Twitch - DansGaming
-Dan's Gaming - https://www.twitch.tv/dansgaming
-Variety streamer
-Old school streamer, in the best sense possible
-He's been streaming for over seven (7) years, from Justin.tv to Twitch
-Chris has been watching for at least six (6) of those years
-Really down-to-earth, nice guy playing lots of games
-He's the very definition of "your best friend that streams" as opposed to "that crazy guy on Twitch" -- all have their place, but Dan is authentic, and it shows
-Very laid back, not a "screaming streamer" or someone with an overbearing personality
-Just sit back and chill with him! - Gaming Assignments
-Last Episode's Assignments: Chris - Earthworm Jim; Aaron - Kid Chameleon and Alex Kidd (bonus!)
-Next Episode's Assignments: Chris - Katamari Forever; Aaron - Super Mario Galaxy 2