Several of the topics in this forum seem to focus on the question of whether a child is playing video games too much. For me, as a parent (and a game player and sometimes designer), the more interesting questions tend to be about the content and mechanics of the game and the kinds of interaction it supports.

I’m really interested in cooperative gaming. For example, the board games Pandemic and Shadows over Camelot, in which the players have complementary roles and must work together against the game (or even semi-cooperative games like Terra, where the players compete, but must also ensure that they keep the world running at the same time, or no one can win). Bridge is my favorite card game, because of the partnership dynamic.  I like competitive games, too, but cooperative games are really where I get excited.

As a kid, this was the appeal of the arcade game Gauntlet. You could work together with your friends, and even if someone was better at the game than someone else, everyone could benefit.

I’ve been trying to think about video games now that support that kind of play. On the console front, we have a Nintendo GameCube, and two examples of cooperative games, Mario Kart Double Dash (where two players work together in the cart) and one of the Mario Party games (played in teams.) I think the Nintendo DS’s wireless link also allows for some cooperative play if both players have a DS. On the internet, I’ve been active in the mud/mush community for a long time, and played a fair amount of PuzzlePirates, again, because I value the cooperative aspects.

What other computer games are out that that emphasize interesting cooperative play?

POTENTIAL for cooperative play exists in pretty much all of the Mainstream MMORPGs (WoW, EQ, etc. .. and even the less than Massive NwN). Any game which allows players to team together (in groups of 2 or more) have the potential to fit this category.

I, too, am very fond of cooperative play. However, my shortfall is that I tend to EXPECT everyone to do their jobs… when everyone else might simply want to have fun. I want to have fun, too… don’t misunderstand me… it’s just that I’m ultra-focused on “winning” *smirk*.

Nonetheless, I will say this: When EQ added modular adventures (visit the gypsy camp, get assigned an adventure and take your group into a repeatable dungeon), they were courting players like you and I… players who want to exercise group/team effort to complete the adventure. These mini-dungeon adventures were designed so that they must be completed in a limited amount of time so that the player could play one or two in an evening (after school/work/chores/etc). This was definitely a break from the norm for EQ (a virtual world designed to embrace endless play) and I applaud them for adding this type of short-term activity (you get the full experience of completing a significant accomplishment, without having to spend a week on it).