Don't know the difference between Nashville and Farmville? Think Spore is something you find on the old sponges laying on your sink? Then you may be stumped by what to get the gamers on your list this holiday season. From your kids, to your grandparents to your co-workers and friends, games are a great choice. There's something out there for everyone. But with thousands of titles and countless platforms to choose from buying the right game can be a little daunting.
Don't worry, my colleagues and I at Arkadium are here to help. We've taken hours (and hours and hours) to review all of the hottest games and come up with our list of what to give ALL of the gamers in your life. Sure, we may have developed some carpal tunnel and thumb blisters along the way, but it's the least we could do for you, right?
For Your Facebook "Friends" - Free Virtual Goods. Is there anyone else who thinks social networking has made life more complex? Besides sorting through the constant updates you now need to worry about sending a gift to someone you haven't seen since sophomore year in high school. Well, don't go forking over your hard earned cash to the 500+ people on your friends list, go freemium instead. Most popular Facebook games have "gifting" options that allow you to send free virtual goods to the people on your friends list. Better yet, many of your friends have probably already requested gifts from you in the games they play. To find them look at the "requests" section of your FB homepage.
For Your Culturally-Challenged Boyfriend - Assassin's Creed 2. Usually free-roamers introduce you to hookers and profanity , this game has your character interacting with Da Vinci, speaking Italian and exploring 15th century Venice. You may even want to be in the room while he plays it.
For Your Over Stressed Girlfriend - Plants vs. Zombies. Nothing relieves the stress of the holidays like blowing up a couple hundred zombies - in the cutest way possible of course.
For Your Baby Boomer Parents - Beatles Rock Band. They always talk about the sixties like it was a magical time. Here's your opportunity to bring back some memories. Just make sure to leave the room before the free love starts flowing.
For Your Grade School BFF - Ghostbusters. They won't be disappointed, the game script was written by Harold Ramis and Dan Akroyd and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man makes a comeback.
For Your Teenage Son - Batman: Arkham Asylum. It'll make him happy because it's a great game based on a great comic. It'll make you happy because it has a Teen rating.
For Your Co-Workers - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Better they get their aggression out in this first-person shooter than in your next meeting.
For Your Grandma - Wii Fit or Wii Sports. Virtual exercise that is almost as good as the real thing. Yes grandma's get their game on too!