Getting them to play

[Snake]

Some of the more visually appealing Cave games, and plaing for survival rather than score, might get people into the genre, but remember that it's a niche genre. Most people won't take to it, even after giving it a try. CoD seems to have mass appeal.

[raigon50]

but remember that it's a niche genre. Most people won't take to it, even after giving it a try. CoD seems to have mass appeal.

Yeah. Though it annoys the hell out of me, I have to agree.. -_-

[Drachenherz]

but remember that it's a niche genre. Most people won't take to it, even after giving it a try. CoD seems to have mass appeal.

Yeah. Though it annoys the hell out of me, I have to agree.. -_-

Jup, that is definitely the case... *sigh*

But hey, as long as there are still good shmups being made, who cares? I don't play a game for others, I just play it for my own enjoyment.

Let the others be, to each his own, and if they don't want to delve deeper into this wonderful genre: it's their loss. ^^

[dunpeal2064]

Trying to get my buddy into shooters. We tried Touhou 8 (Imperishable Night) recently. He liked the bullet hell aspect of it, but felt a bit offput by the need to think about a lot of different scoring mechanics, like bullet grazing, item collection, and spell cards. He also felt a bit pressured by the time attack element of needing to destroy bosses quickly, preferring to learn the bosses with less consequence.

Basically, he's got enough challenge trying to learn the patterns and dodge the bullets without having to worry about other stuff, too.

Any recommendations on a bullet hell game that is more survival oriented, or perhaps a scoring system that is a little less abstract?

I always played Shiki 2 for survival when I first started. Also, the bullet grazing was probably the easiest scoring mechanic for me to eventually get in to.

... granted, I have never had the opportunity to play Dodonpachi, so that might be way better in every way

[raigon50]

Playing for score would be new for me too, though. I never really have played a shmup with getting a highscore in mind. It's not that I can't, I just never think about it. *shrug*
I have an urge to play Garegga/Bakraid for score now...

[DragonInstall]

I think having them play novice mode first for survival than scoring would work best. But honestly... shmup now is an acquired taste, I could get people into almost any genre more easily than a shmup one.

[Evilmaxwar]

HAving a modded original xbox loaded with Mame and Final burn Alpha works wonder as a mean of promoting arcade shmups. DDP Works great on FBA, wich is a blessing. Having all those games running so well on this compact, inexpensive user friendly machine really impresses people. I bought a lot of 6 broken Xbox and Fixed 5 of them. I am now modding, upgrading them and loading them with shmups so i call sell them cheap to my buddies and hopefully Getting Them to play

[Obiwanshinobi]

The other is a "I want to blast s#%$ up with a gun all night." kind of person.

Raiden III (PC), prefarably displayed on a CRT put on its side. Rite de passage and all that.