Gamer couples can get bored of staying in and sitting in front of a console or PC all evening; why not try out one or two of these date ideas for gamers?
Gaming is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Around 70 percent of adults play video games, and that shoots up to almost 90 percent of 16 to 24-year-olds.
With all those gamers around, it should be no surprise that there are millions of gamer couples out there who have a shared love of the hobby. You might think that means there’s no need to think of activities to do together, as both people can enjoy gaming, but that can get extremely samey.
Of course, there’s no guarantee gamer couples even like the same games! Titles like Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of Duty and Stardew Valley are all great multiplayer experiences, but are extremely different to each other.
If you’re going out with a gamer and want to enjoy the hobby in a way that doesn’t involve sitting in front of a screen, you have plenty of options available. Here are some date ideas for gamers that will give you some variety while still being fun.
An escape room
What could be more perfect for gamers than the real-life version of a video game? Games have included puzzles since the technology allowed them to and solving them has always been part of the experience.
Escape rooms replicate this but in real life, with participants working out how to get out of a locked room within an hour by solving riddles, finding clues and decoding ciphers. They can be incredibly creative and challenging, but don’t worry, they’ll let you out at the end of the time limit even if you didn’t manage to solve everything!
If you’re wondering how to choose an escape room, start with a theme you both enjoy. If you look, you’ll find examples themed around spies, horror movies, detective stories, historical events and more.
Pick something you both enjoy and have fun working out how to get out of the room. If you have a great experience, you can always try out different rooms around the country and try to beat your best time.
A casino
You might not think of it this way at first, but a casino is basically a big building full of games. Alongside classics like poker and blackjack, there are also slot machines, bingo and more for you and your partner to enjoy.
A casino can be a full night out in itself, as they usually serve food and drink for you to enjoy while you play. And of course, there’s always the chance of winning a nice prize as a bonus.
If you’re not sure, you can always test the waters by playing the same games over the internet. For example, there are plenty of Ontario online casinos you can visit to try out the games and experience the excitement of a good wager.
Laser tag
First person shooters are one of the most popular genres of game, but you don’t have to love Call of Duty to enjoy a good game of laser tag. Anyone who likes a bit of friendly competition, and a sense of achievement can have fun shooting lasers.
The game is simple: participants get a laser gun and a target vest. If your laser hits the target on an opponent’s vest, you’ll get some points, and their gun will be disabled for a short period of time.
There is a time limit, and once it ends the points are added up to see who has won. You can play as a free-for all, but it’s most common to get organised into teams and work together, which is great for a date.
If you love gaming but don’t like sitting around all evening, laser tag might be the answer. It’s a fun, active game that involves lots of running and hiding behind cover!
A gaming bar
What if you don’t want to step too far outside your comfort zone? You might want to get out of the house, but still love playing games more than anything else.
In this case, you might want to look out for a gaming bar in your area. These are classic bars, serving food and drink for you both to enjoy, but in addition they have video games available for patrons to play.
These tend to range from classic retro games like Street Fighter – often in the original arcade machines – to more modern games played on PS5s and gaming PCs. A good gamer bar can be a fantastic find, giving you a place to hang out and enjoy your hobby together.
No matter what you choose to do, it’s a good idea to get away from the screen and enjoy something new. Gaming is a fantastic hobby, but a date should feel like something special and not the same thing you do every night!
