Episode 404 – Connecting Through Gaming

We talk a lot about playing games with your kids. But boardgames aren’t the only way to connect – and they aren’t always the BEST way, either.

0:00:00 Fact for 404

404 BC: Sparta finally defeated Athens, ending the second Peloponnesian War.
404 AD: The last gladiatorial games are held in Rome.

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0:05:15 What We’ve Been Playing

A Gentle Rain (our review)
HiFi
Unmatched: Battle of Legends volume 3 (our review)
Fruition
Red Letter, Yellow Letter – we played it in the car!
Backstories: Emerald Wedding Anniversary (review coming soon)
Tesla vs. Edison: War of Currents
Juicy Fruits
Dinosaur Tea Party (our review)
Prisma Arena (our review)
Obelus (our review)
Quarto (our review)

0:32:00 The Family Gamers Community

Welcome to our newest community members! You can join the community too, on Facebook.

#Backtalk

We asked about “low-key” games. You answered on the #backtalk channel on our Discord, and in this post in the Facebook community. Shout out to The Joyful Jedi for his humorous answer for Loki games instead.

0:37:45 Connecting through Gaming

Inspired by Kendra’s comments on Facebook.

We’ve talked before about WHY to play games with your kids. But a reason that’s easy to skip over is connection: spending time working together on something – or lightly competing – can build memories and emphasize commonalities between people. And the important part is the CONNECTION, not the method you use.

Forcing your kids to the table does not really foster connection. (Bartering could work, though.)

Instead of always bringing them into the things you enjoy, bring yourself to something they enjoy.

Videogame recommendations:

Free-for-all fighting games like
Super Smash Bros (any version)
Ultimate Chicken Horse
Gang Beasts

Objective-based games:
Overcooked
Moving Out
Totally Reliable Delivery Service

Minecraft, of course. “Like playing with LEGO ‘together’.”

Two-player cooperative games that have a plot:
It Takes Two (content warning: divorce, language – best for teens)
Split Fiction (we haven’t played this yet)
Unravel Two

Death Squared (abstract strategy puzzles for 2-4 players)
Jackbox (get teens using their phones to play TOGETHER)
Rock Band (or Guitar Hero, etc.) “It simulates the experience of making music together, while removing barriers”

Takeaway: Meet your kid on their terms to better connect with them!

1:05:45 New Backtalk Question

What video games are you playing with other people LOCALLY? We’re talking couch co-op and local multiplayer.

Tell us on the #backtalk channel on our Discord, or in our Facebook community.

Find Us Online:

Facebook: @familygamersaa and thefamilygamers.com/community
Twitter (X): @familygamersaa
Instagram: @familygamersaa
TikTok: @familygamersaa
Youtube: TheFamilyGamers

or join the Family Tabletop Community on Discord! thefamilygamers.com/discord

Or, for the most direct method, email us! andrew@thefamilygamers.com and anitra@thefamilygamers.com.

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The Family Gamers is sponsored by First Move Financial. Go to FirstMoveFinancial.com/familygamers to learn how the team at First Move Financial can help you pile up the victory points.

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