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

[throw_manager]

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.

[d--b]

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

[sloaken]

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.

[JLCarveth]

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

[throw_manager]

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]

Factorio is what you’re looking for

[JimmyAustin]

+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).

[226_ebro_treaty]

Minecraft?

[throw_manager]

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