Pirates of the Burning Sea -- Is it any good? --

[Hellbug]

My dad is an alchoholic who was just told by my Mom that if he continues drinking that she will leave him. Now, drinking was his hobby, so I guess he is looking for a new one. I was in Best Buy with him and he showed me Pirates of the Burning Sea; I hadn't even realized that it was out yet. I told him I'd ask some people(EvAv) how they like it and if it is worth the buy. He has been playing a lot more Civ3 lately to pass the time but that seems to be wearing thin and wants to give Civ4 another shot but I can't find the discs.

Has anyone been in the beta, and is it even approachable for someone who doesn't normally game?

[Devilturnip]

I'm really enjoying it, but I'm not sure it's terribly accessible. Tons of stats to keep track of, and it has a very complex trade/market system in place that could be daunting.

[Sandman]

If he wants something that will replace the booz try WoW. Fair warning though; it's just as likely to cause your loved ones to leave you.

[Deadend]

Start him off on Sid Maiers Pirates! which is on Xbox Classics.

Then from there work him into games like Halo. I'd avoid most pirate games, as they are all about the booze.

But if you can get him into playing a game... WoW will keep him so addicted that your mom will leave him over it. (mostly kidding)

[Heretic Machine]

I'd suggest WoW or City of Heroes before any other MMO currently on the market.

[Buzzard]

eh, mayb try out the korean free to play pirate game? (http://www.voyagecenturyonline.com/)

played it for about a year on and off, prolly the only free addiction i've found....

many of the players in the game have played POTBS and have come back......

[Hellbug]

If he wants something that will replace the booz try WoW. Fair warning though; it's just as likely to cause your loved ones to leave you.

He isn't really into the fantasy games. :o
I could try to get him into it, or at least onto a free trial. Thanks for all of your input, though.

[Savok]

He isn't really into the fantasy games. :o
I could try to get him into it, or at least onto a free trial. Thanks for all of your input, though.
Start as a Draenei, first 20 lvls for them are practically science fiction anyway. There's a booze festival at some point during the year in WoW as well, so fair warning on that. Also a lot of Dwarf quests involve grog because that's all they do really.

Still, you'd just be replacing one addiction for another.

[Inspector Fowler]

Look, I hate fantasy stuff too, for the most part, but I loved WoW and I love LotRO. I'd rather play a tough guy or something in a game, but for some reason WoW was so addicting that being a Night Elf priest was okay with me.

Also, staying involved with your dad can help his addiction. Whatever game he picks up, consider playing it with him (at the same time).