Hey All,

Have said this before and the offer still stands to members of The Source: I am more than happy to adventure with any of the women that want to start playing.

With that said, some unsolicited words of "woman wisdom":

Women, especially at first, play MUCH different then men (for starters DON'T let a woman die if at all possible!!!). It think it is easy for women to be intimidated by the way men play so I think it makes much more sense to try to have one of us adventure with them at least initially. If they are overly intimidated and it isn't fun for them -- they won't play.

It still requires the help of the men to teach them the basic concepts and how to run the keyboard/controls/etc. I have two words of advice to that end: BE PATIENT! You may have to tell them how to do the same thing 50 times -- but eventually they will get it *IF* you are a patient teacher. It doesn't help to say "but I just told you ..."

Also, don't ask them to play at a time when you can't take the time to help them. If you need to concentrate on your adventure with your own character -- that isn't a good time to have them adventure.

Remember that learning to play these types of games takes quite a bit of coordination/skill (that is easy to take for granted) -- most of the guys have played many games before so they have the basic concept controls and keeping track of lots of stuff at once. It is quite a job for someone new to learn how to do this. I know when I first started playing -- Jamie sat beside me for many hours and he would help with whatever I was having problems with -- keeping an eye on the radar, keeping an eye on my health while I was in battle, helping me navigate (and he still helps me with that).

Another thing Jamie did was let me run part of the controls when he was adventuring with Druss. Not only did it help learn how to run the controls, but I got to see what it was like to adventure with the type of character he is playing. Which brings up another good point: rolling up the character. People who haven't played these kinds of games before don't have a clue as to what to do/what kinda character to play/etc. Again, BE PATIENT! Think about the person and their personality and what kinda character you think THEY would want to play (not to be confused with what kinda character YOU THINK they should play!). Someone who is conservative might want not want to play a hand to hand warrior character -- might prefer the distance of a mage or archer character. Try to let them have a say, but be ready to jump in and help if they get frustrated.

Make sure to laugh with her and not at her. Be encouraging, but not pushy!

No doubt it can be a lot of work to get someone hooked -- but can be well worth the time spent! Just think of a potential side benefit, you might get more time to play without any "guilt trips"!!!!! Just ask Druss! LOL
LOL

Later,
Mare

P.S. I think everyone knows that I don't go for killing bunnies and cows. But, if it takes killing bunnies to get them to play then so be it. I didn't need any easter candy anyway!!! :-)