Watching my wife play videogames is like stepping into another world.  Firstly, because she is new to gaming, I get to see how I fell in love with the world of computer and video games all over again.  But secondarily, because I get to see gaming from the perspective of a woman.

My son and I love playing games with lots of action and bright graphics.  So when my mother bought “Animal Crossing: City Folk” for our new Wii, I was a bit skeptical especially because my son is so young.  So when his new landlord, Tom Nook, gave him a mortgage and a job in his little town we called “Doggy” I was very doubtful.

Since it was a very generous Christmas for us, I was more inclined to playing games that interested both me and my son and leave Animal Crossing behind with a polite “Thank You” to my mother.  But with a cancelled vacation and while I was hard at work, my wife took up the mantle and started playing Animal Crossing with my son.  She made her own persona and started learning about the town, its inhabitants, and all the things you can do.  After a few days, I was surprised to catch my wife sneaking away precious moments of personal time to play “Animal Crossing” when my son wasn’t watching or asking to play.

The game’s genius lies in its innocence and simplicity.  You spend your days collecting shells, digging up dirt, catching bugs, fishing at the river, and doing all the things that kids do – the things we reminisce about when we are outside rather than sitting in front of a screen.  In turn, the more interesting things you find in your adventures you can either sell to Tom Nook for money, donate to the museum, or keep in your house, which you can decorate with your own personal furnishings.  You talk to the interesting inhabitants and make friends with them, do errands for them, buy them presents, receive presents and just enjoy your time in this cute little world.

Personally, I would never have given this game a second thought, but when I see the delight in my wife’s face when she shows me the little things she’s done – paid off her mortgage, bought or found an interesting piece of furniture, I can’t help but smile and laugh – and even secretly want to make my own character to join in their fun.

What I found most fascinating is that the game works in real time.  One night my wife was telling my son that “We’d better hurry and sell the fish we caught.  Tom Nook’s store closes at 10!”  And you watch the landscape change with the seasons and daylight.  My son just laughed when they discovered that they can actually build snowmen.

On New Year’s Eve, my wife spotted a countdown clock by the Town Hall and received a party popper in the mail.  And throughout the day, everyone in town was wishing each other the best for the New Year – asking about their Resolutions, and generating a sense of expectation for a better year than 2008.

Late that night, with the boys asleep, we cuddled by the couch – tired from my cancelled vacation and the work we both had done.  I had a big smile when instead of turning on the TV to watch the ball drop, my wife flipped on the Wii.  For the last 10 minutes of 2008 and we watched the Countdown clock by the Townhall of the little town of “Doggy.”  When the game struck midnight, fireworks burst into the sky and my wife shot her party popper in delight.  I couldn’t help but laugh and kiss my wife.

It was a great way to start the New Year.