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Ask HN: World building game to play with my father (63) online

I am looking to find a world/city/empire building game to play with my father who is 63 years old. I'd like to spend more time connecting with my father who lives in another country by playing a game online. Being able to play together at the same time would be a benefit. He enjoys playing games that involve period action (a move every 60 minutes or so) as well as those that have an element of resource planning. Has anyone had a good experience bonding with a senior parent via games that could recommend me something. Thanks in advance.

226_ebro_treaty 3y ago
Minecraft?
- throw_manager 3y ago
  The types of games he plays have a more strategic and less open environment where a score or rank can be obtained.
JLCarveth 3y ago
I would assume he's played the Civilization games and is looking for something different? Otherwise it hits all of the boxes.
- throw_manager 3y ago
  Typically it's long-term building games. Where one is playing for months, or for an unlimited amount of time, as opposed to shorter games.
btzo 3y ago
Factorio is what you’re looking for
- JimmyAustin 3y ago
  +1 for Factorio. As alternatives, there are Satisfactory (which is 3D and prettier than Factorio, but not as polished), and Dyson Sphere Program (which lacks multiplayer).
d--b 3y ago
I heard Diplomacy was good, though it’s perhaps not the best to maintain a good relationship.
- sloaken 3y ago
  Diplomacy is a great game, all logic and communication. Played with 2 to 7 players. Setting is pre WW 1. Resources are simple, there are about 30 resource cities. You need one resource for each army / navy you have. Back in the day there was a VERY active play by mail (postal) community. Community covered Europe and North America. Action: 1) Diplomacy phase - talk / write to each other. In the modern Whatsapp age, I suspect this might bring turns down to one a day. 2) Order phase - write and submit orders to GM. 3) Resolution phase - GM handles this and provides results 4) Build / delete phase - every other turn - write out orders for building if you gain resource, delete if you lost. - GM takes and publishes You would want to be in the same game with your dad so you can plan strategy.

226_ebro_treaty 3y ago

Minecraft?

throw_manager 3y ago
The types of games he plays have a more strategic and less open environment where a score or rank can be obtained.

JLCarveth 3y ago

I would assume he's played the Civilization games and is looking for something different? Otherwise it hits all of the boxes.

throw_manager 3y ago
Typically it's long-term building games. Where one is playing for months, or for an unlimited amount of time, as opposed to shorter games.

btzo 3y ago

Factorio is what you’re looking for

JimmyAustin 3y ago
+1 for Factorio. As alternatives, there are Satisfactory (which is 3D and prettier than Factorio, but not as polished), and Dyson Sphere Program (which lacks multiplayer).

d--b 3y ago

I heard Diplomacy was good, though it’s perhaps not the best to maintain a good relationship.

sloaken 3y ago
Diplomacy is a great game, all logic and communication. Played with 2 to 7 players. Setting is pre WW 1. Resources are simple, there are about 30 resource cities. You need one resource for each army / navy you have. Back in the day there was a VERY active play by mail (postal) community. Community covered Europe and North America. Action: 1) Diplomacy phase - talk / write to each other. In the modern Whatsapp age, I suspect this might bring turns down to one a day. 2) Order phase - write and submit orders to GM. 3) Resolution phase - GM handles this and provides results 4) Build / delete phase - every other turn - write out orders for building if you gain resource, delete if you lost. - GM takes and publishes You would want to be in the same game with your dad so you can plan strategy.