What to do with a BG virgin?

Tarquin

So now that we have 2 more months to plan our BG:EE exploits (I'm looking at this as a positive!), I thought I would toss this question out there...

I loved BG and BG2 and did several play throughs (my favorite character was a paladin), but I haven't played either one in probably 8-9 years. Needless to say, in the 14 years since I played BG1 in high school, a few things in my life have changed, and today I would love to introduce my wife to BG. She's not been a big video gamer at all (other than WoW), but she has a lot of pen and paper roleplaying experience. She also has read many of the Forgotten Realms books, so has a solid foundation on that side of things

Any thoughts as to the best way to get her started with BG:EE? Should she start off single player? Multiplayer (I've never done multiplayer BG, but it sounds interesting)? I'm planning on buying for both Mac and iPad, so I guess the ideal platform is up in the air...

While I'm very excited to play BG again, I'm almost more excited for those who haven't played before! Any pertinent experiences with BG virgins?

-Tarquin

Ulfgar_Torunn

Nothing allows a gamer to become more immerse in a game than to jump in with both feet. Allow your wife to experience the game as it was intended; single player, on a Mac/PC.

I dissuade you from starting a multiplayer game only because the inane chit-chat that occurs during the game. I've had several experiences with multiplayer playthroughs, each very enjoyable, but none truly captured the essence of the game.

What you should consider most is how often you two game together, and why she games. If she games for the social aspect then multiplayer may be your best option. If she games for the games themselves, singleplayer is a better option.

I hope this helps.

CaptRory

It would probably be best to pick a platform that she's comfortable with. I strongly favor PC gaming over any kind of Console because all my friends are online and I have a hard time staying in touch or playing with them on consoles.

Similarly, if she's more comfortable or more likely to play it on an iPad while riding the train or waiting for the kids to get out of school or something, I'd go that route. If she prefers playing on her regular computer I'd go that route.

I would help her make a character just because the rules doesn't mesh 100% with the different versions of D&D that've been out.

And point out how important ranged weaponry is and how to kite mobs. Once you learn that the game moves from frustratingly hard to challenging.

Sereph

I'm planning on playing with a 5 person group (myself included), three of which will all be BG virgins, and I just plan on having them all play through Candlekeep in single player before our first game together. I want them to get a handle on the beginning of the story without the distraction of idle chatter, and I also want them to be able to use the UI without from scratch instructions.

One suggestion I would make for you specifically, since it will just be the two of you, is to let her take the leader role, control all the dialogue and things like that, if only because you've experienced the story before and will likely easily remember what happens where as it gets going.

CaptRory

OH! Here's something important: Dragging a friend through a game can totally ruin the experience. I know from experience. Blah~ So I heartily second Sereph's comment. Try and be unobtrusive and let her take charge unless she's struggling.

Koson

I'd say to let her play single-player, as this is the way BG saga was intended to be played. By multi-playing she'd lose part of the party banter - true, less of a problem in BG1, but IMO quite a loss in BG2 - if she is interested in that aspect of the game.
If you want to play together in multi-player, try IWD 1 & 2.

BG2

I agree with Koson. Playing multiplayer without first experiencing the game solo is not the best way for her to enjoy the game. I know you're excited to share in her discovery of the wonderful experience that we all had when the game first came out, but you'd really be doing her a great dis-service if you guide her or otherwise taint the experience with multiplayer. Same with Sereph. This is not NWN.

Bjjorick

we were all bg virgins at one point. let her try it on her own and see how she likes it

Tarquin

Cool, thanks everybody for the advice! Seems like it's pretty much unanimous...BG the way it was intended!

Zinodin

Here's how university professors recommend you introduce games. They're in the game developement industry. The video is 5 mins long with great tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXQuannq308

Bjjorick

@zinodin
lol, that was awesome, i lol'd many times, but when they showed atari et while saying 'greatest game ever' i lost it for a second :P

Tarquin

@zinodin

Great video!

NWN_babaYaga

let me see... no better not:D