To Gamer Guys:

Like almost every girlfriend/fiancé/wife/ in the United States, I sit with my man while he plays video games and my interest fades in and out depending on the game. So here are a few thoughts I wanted to share, to make this time for enjoyable for everyone.

• Tell us about the game.

• We might not care so much what the history of this game is and why its so revolutionary and we also might not understand why it is so engrossing but give us the bare minimum. What is the backstory of the game? What is the purpose? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Letting us in on these little parts helps us feel included and helps us understand you better. It might even insight enough interest to want to play with you sometime.

• Let us play!

• I'm sure not every significant other is as generally terrible as I am so let us play occasionally. We might suck at it and not understand what we are supposed to do but letting us play shows us that you appreciate our efforts to be excited about what you are excited about and to have something else to connect with you on. Plus, nothing is more of a bummer than being told you can't try the game because "you might mess with a really high score". Just save your spot in the game and let us try it for a few minutes.

• Please don't scream at the television.

• Especially if we aren't actively paying attention to the game, your sudden outbursts startle us. The game might not be able to hear you, but we sure can. I have never been closer to heart palpitations than when my man plays Overwatch and his team is losing. One minute I am peacefully reading, the next minute it's "NO! DEFEND THE POINT! GO! GO! AW SON OF A ***** ****** ****** *** **** **" It's frightening.

• We prefer story-line games.

• When you are just watching a game, it is easier to get interested in a story based game than a random shoot-everyone game. For spectators, story games are like movies. We can get attached to the characters, the cut scenes are little movies that we get to watch without the interruption of trying to figure things out, and there are generally more interesting than other games without a story lead.

• Celebratory affection is always appreciated.

• It is great when your team wins. You love it. We love seeing you happy, and what better way to punctuate that happiness than a quick kiss or an affectionate pat on the knee. It doesn't have to be a long drawn out display, but something that shows us you didn't forget we are there with you. We are happy to sit with you and watch you be happy, but we also appreciate a little touch here and there that reminds us that you are happy we are there as well.

When you win, we win. So lets make this a fun time for us all, shall we?

Sincerely,

Girlfriends/fiances/wives/ everywhere