my dad asked me to send him the Nat Geo documentary on SC1/XellOs/Cyber games yesterday. Hopefully it opened his eyes to how big the whole thing is. and he's a geezer, think of a 66 year old SC player :D

Made my day haha

LeakyBucket

Canada76 Posts

December 30 2011 23:50 GMT

#163

I find that the reason parents usually dismiss video games is because they cannot relate to it. As children our parents did physical activities for fun (football, soccer, dancing etc.) and would even, in many cases, shun people who play with technology by calling them nerds and dorks. Today, things are much different, in fact, if you don't have a smart phone or use facebook etc. you are likely to be ridiculed. This culture is far from that of our parents and we have to recognize that changing something that has been ingrained in their brains for their whole life is extremely difficult. If your parents are open minded enough to accept and even participate in SC2 then you are lucky to have such fantastic parents. If your parents do not agree/support gaming then don't feel too bad because your they most likely percieve it differently because of the environment they grew up in.

Vekalisk

Australia137 Posts

December 31 2011 00:27 GMT

#164

I just slowly explained to my parents why it was so popular. Pretty much dubbed it "High speed chess". They don't really watch it, but they understand why I play it and actually support the decision making etc. that goes into the game.

DarKcS

Australia1237 Posts

December 31 2011 00:31 GMT

#165

I think trying to explain the game using a mirror match up (TvT) even for a first time viewer holds little interest, at least seeing some diversity in Zerg or Protoss shows some depth.

But uh, trying to explain game mechanics is not what gets people's interests or understanding.
Honestly I think you're doing it completely wrong. If I was going to try and explain how serious SC2 was, I'd reference the many tournaments, their numbers, the sponsors, show video/screenshots of those events as they look epic, Korea (needs no explanation), the viewers (Streaming) and profits involved and such. Each subject can somewhat gleam naturally off eachother, as you explain how difficult is is to become professional at it and what many pro gamers do (travel overseas, live in pro houses, practice 12 hrs a day).

United States813 Posts

December 31 2011 00:33 GMT

#166

they just havent experienced e sports when they were younger.

Mvrio

689 Posts

December 31 2011 04:35 GMT

#167

with an older brother who taught me the world and an understanding mother all I say is "remember command & conquer? just like that except 3 different sides instead of 2"
then if they want more:
terran- human race
Protoss- cool looking aliens
Zerg- ugly insects

and if their watching I say the creep or mud is for the ugly aliens

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

December 31 2011 04:38 GMT

#168

Why try to explain it to them? Just explain it's something that they are not used to nor accustomed to in the culture they grew up in and probably will not understand the entertainment nor excitement behind it.

happyGo

United States20 Posts

December 31 2011 04:47 GMT

#169

my advice: try to capture the excitement...it sounds like you're getting a little caught up in the technical details...that can all come later!

BryanSC

United States455 Posts

December 31 2011 04:57 GMT

#170

On December 31 2011 13:38 Fruscainte wrote:
Why try to explain it to them? Just explain it's something that they are not used to nor accustomed to in the culture they grew up in and probably will not understand the entertainment nor excitement behind it.

I agree to some extent. It is worth trying at least, but sometimes people are just not open minded or willing to learn about something considered video games have had a long-time stigma of being for children only, or waste of time. Not all of us can have a DJWheat "That's his golf" moment.

Archas

United States6531 Posts

December 31 2011 04:58 GMT

#171

I think the best way to do this is to describe StarCraft as a game of resource management. In-game resources, of course, but also time, information, focus, and mentality. Managing those resources is just as important as managing your minerals and Vespene gas.

PhiliBiRD

United States2643 Posts

December 31 2011 05:09 GMT

#172

eh.. no matter how much i explain it and no matter how valid my points are, i never got my dad to get past it being a waste of time. he considers it to be the reason why i havent gone through college. my pops is 53 tho, maybe just too old and hard headed. if your parents understand and support you, by golly thats awesome

but hey its ok, this is just an extremely abnormal generation gap here that has never been experienced before and they cant really possibly understand.

with that said. when we are old it will be lolz

mastergriggy

United States1312 Posts

December 31 2011 05:13 GMT

#173

I guess I got lucky cuz my dad is completely into the CnC series, so explaining to him how Starcraft works was pretty easy, just transpose the units and talk about strategy.

FabledIntegral

United States9232 Posts

December 31 2011 05:16 GMT

#174

Tell them it's like Alien vs Predator if they ever saw that.

iNfeRnaL

Germany1908 Posts

December 31 2011 05:18 GMT

#175

I just tell 'em it's like Starcraft 1 just easier to play and they get it.
Guess that's how nerd you are as a former "pro".

FluXen

Canada210 Posts

December 31 2011 05:18 GMT

#176

My parents already look down up it because my cousin is always top 200 on ladder, and dont want me to become that QQ

brrip

United Kingdom211 Posts

December 31 2011 05:22 GMT

#177

Hmm this is not an easy project! I think a footage of the audience at the gsl finals at blizzcon will be necessary! Just the idea of a huge live event and the number of people who take sc2 that seriously

RandomAccount#49059

United States2140 Posts

December 31 2011 05:27 GMT

#178

--- Nuked ---

BryanSC

United States455 Posts

December 31 2011 05:29 GMT

#179

On December 31 2011 14:27 stormtemplar wrote:
Mom doesn't care but my step-dad LOVES it, watches it as much as I do.

You're so lucky.

Viperbird

United States118 Posts

December 31 2011 05:32 GMT

#180

My dad loves it as well, he plays more than I do, usually 5 or so games a night before he goes to bed. We also watch it together, its like our football! We drink beer and watch it on his bigscreen! My wife loves to play too, her and my dad have a rivalry going... (she is silver, he is bronze) I think they have more fun than I do at the game...

Also, I remember telling my mom that Stephano made over $70,000 in tournament wins in just a few months, she was very impressed