14 DAY TRIAL // For me, Christmas is a tricky time and now just because of the general issues with big family gathering and the holiday pressure to feel good and spread the joy around.
The trouble is linked to going for three days, from late Thursday to late on Sunday this year, with an extended group of family and friends, with little to no gaming present.
I am not a gaming fanatic, I can easily dispense with the hobby when I need to, but separation from computer and consoles almost always leads to a diminished level of enjoyment, especially when I cannot pass time with other loved endeavors like movie watching (I hate Christmas movie) or reading and need to be host for other people who have little interest in things like Dragon Age 2 or Gears of War 3.
So this Christmas I have a plan I would like to share: to draw my family and friends into gaming, with the assistance of another buddy of mine, using the medium of Neptune's Pride.
The game is uniquely suited because it can be played in three days, as long as someone (in this case me) is ready to spend some cash to support the game and get the credits needed to set up a customized star map.
It also helps that it requires minimal video game knowledge from the actual player, with social skills more important than tweak reflex or resource based thinking.
So on Thursday, I plan to set up a match for the people I will be spending Christmas with, played from a netbook, and explain the concept to them, allowing them to talk about Neptune's Pride at any time and create deals and alliances without communicating or changing stances in game.
I hope that it will spurn them to want to know more about gaming and will allow me to share a bit of my hobby with those who are close to me while also making my Christmas break a bit more enjoyable.