What game would you recommend for someone who hates videogames?

Because the customer is Not Always Right.

How about a Visual Novel-type game, like Heavy Rain?

^ From how he dismiss Ace Attorney, probably no...

@Anthologist, Null: I think that Ebert claims that video game will NEVER be art, while peole think that even if games might not be art right now, it still has the potential to be later...

First we should define art. Has quality anything to do with whether something is art or not? Etc. etc. etc.

That said, Shadow Of The Colossus, maybe? Or Ico?

Perhaps the Ace Attorney series? If you are not very put off by the fact that the puzzles allow for only one of the possible answers, it can be a very enjoyable experience.

He already mentioned that he didn't like that before.

I kept thinking "Gee, this would be really cool if this was a TV show or comic book instead of a game."

What game would you recommend for someone who hates videogames?

Tag?

In the event that this isn't a Social Experiment... I dunno, the Wii Sports-type games seem to go over well.

In the interest of equal time, someone recommend me some live-action movies for someone who has a hard time telling Hollywood actors apart.

You might just want to try a new hobby. Maybe a sport or craft project so that you get a more concrete feeling of accomplishment. If that's not your thing, try books or movies.

I can't really recommend staying with gaming if it doesn't interest you anymore.

Books and movies are nice alternatives to what you're looking for.

Do you have an iPhone or a Droid? The games they have there are good to waste some 5 minutes, which is good for a brief break when you don't feel like watching movies or reading a book to kill time. Alternatively, you could read comic strips on your phone, too.

Try Minecraft. Minecraft should not feel like work, and it doesn't force you to do anything. There are no goals you are forced to complete, killing enemies is completely option, only for survival or resource you find necessary for a project. It's like Lego in a way.

Failing that...uh, I dunno, Bejeweled?

Have you considered a book? There is quite a lot to choose from. Thousands even. And none of them have any BS separating you from the plot, except maybe bad prose.

How about this: name a video game that does something you would never expect from a video game, and not including Metal Gear Solid-like gimmicks, and has a storyline that even comes close to TV, film or literature.

<fanboy>Mother 3 does that. Seriously, play the first chapter. I hated the game too until a certain person's death. If you hate it after that, I can't think of a story you'd like. </fanboy>

<gamer>Psychonauts has a good story, but the gameplay is mildly irritating. Good luck finding a copy though.</gamer>

<troll>Crazybus.</troll>

edited 27th Nov '10 2:49:32 PM by AngryScientist

I would probably recommend a book. As for video games, though, something open-ended like Yume Nikki might be a good idea. Maybe try some SSBM with friends or something?

Why were people so angry at Roger Ebert saying that videogames weren't art, if he was right?

Because art isn't just about a storyline. Art also includes paintings, sculptures, and music. To say video games aren't art because of the lack of plot is like saying Beethoven's music isn't art because of the lack of plot.

Basically, any truly experimental game that plays to the advantages of the medium is going to be low on plot because games just aren't good with that. Likewise, any game that focuses on plot specifically is going to be in an established genre of video games already and thus not do something one wouldn't expect.

Either way, I say take a break from the hobby for a while. You don't have to play the new hotness to be a gamer. The games will still be there when you get back.

edited 27th Nov '10 3:15:07 PM by GameGuruGG

Basically, any truly experimental game that plays to the advantages of the medium is going to be low on plot because games just aren't good with that.

Unless it's Portal.

As for the OP, I'd also say "take a break".

edited 27th Nov '10 3:17:32 PM by Eriksson

Take five minutes to cool down with a little You Have To Burn The Rope.

[[quote: I kept thinking "Gee, this would be really cool if this was a TV show or comic book instead of a game."]]

It actually exists. There's a 5 volumes-long manga of Ace Attorney. It's currently published in France by Kurokawa Editions with the first 3 volumes translated, but I dunno if there's actually a translation of it in English.

Maybe the OP just needs something that's short and fun. Maybe Audiosurf? The levels are only as long as the audio files you load up into the game.

I could recommend Guilty Gear X2:Reload. It's a pretty good fighting game and doesn't require much work or thinking to play. I play it whenever I feel like I need to unwind without stressing myself with my quest games.

No. No, you don't play Guilty Gear looking for an easy game. You play Guilty Gear to scream at a television screen the 100th time a guitar-playing witch kills you with her pointy-hat headbutt with a ridiculous range/speed ratio.

^ Then don't play arcade mode? Just play the vs mode to chill, y'know...

Mario Kart^^

((Unless you're playing Rainbow Road.))

@OP - Interactive Fiction sounds up your alley.

The answer is tetris.