A few years ago, if you told me Katie would have her own PlayStation 5, voluntarily spend her free time gaming, and occasionally carry our Fortnite squad, I would’ve laughed.
Not because she hated gaming.
She just wasn’t a gamer.
That was my thing.
Now?
It’s become one of ours.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. These are games and gear we’ve genuinely enjoyed.
It Started With the Wrong Assumption
I think a lot of people make the same mistake.
They try to get their spouse into the games they like.
Usually, that means throwing them into something stressful.
“Come play Call of Duty.”
“Let’s run ranked.”
“Just learn these 37 controls real quick.”
That’s a terrible plan.
Most people don’t fall in love with gaming because of the competition.
They fall in love with gaming because of stories.
That’s what happened here.
If you like zero stress games with a great story, check out my Review of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Enter Uncharted 4
If I had to pick one game responsible for all of this, it’s probably Uncharted 4.
I knew it had:
- Great characters
- Great storytelling
- Fun gameplay
- Enough action to stay interesting
What I didn’t expect was how completely invested she’d become.
She was hooked.
And after wrapping up Uncharted 4, she did exactly what I did.
Went backward.
She played Uncharted 1.
Then Uncharted 2.
Then Uncharted 3.
That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a phase.
This was an actual hobby.
The Moment I Knew It Was Working
After Uncharted came It Takes Two.
One of the best games ever made for couples.
Not because it’s easy.
Because it forces teamwork.
Communication.
Patience.
And occasionally blaming each other for completely avoidable mistakes.
It was one of those games that became an experience instead of just something we played.
Then Came Tomb Raider
Up until this point, she was enjoying games.
Now she was getting good at them.
The exploration.
The puzzles.
The combat.
The headshots.
The confidence.
Watching somebody go from:
“I don’t really play games.”
to
“I’ve got this.”
is pretty awesome.
And somewhere along the way, I stopped introducing her to games.
She started discovering them herself.
Check out Why I’m Playing Old Games in 2026
The Plot Twist Nobody Saw Coming
Fortnite.
Specifically Fortnite Zero Build.
The kids wanted to play.
Katie jumped in.
A little bit here.
A little bit there.
Cut to, she’s dropping into matches regularly.
Getting eliminations.
Winning fights.
Making smart plays.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to explain a strategy and getting ignored because she’s already doing better than I am.
That’s usually how these things go.
What Actually Worked
If you’re trying to get your spouse into gaming, here’s what worked for us.
1. Start With Story-Driven Games
Stories create investment.
Investment creates interest.
Interest creates gamers.
2. Avoid Stress Early
Not everyone wants to jump into competitive multiplayer.
Let them build confidence first.
3. Let Them Find Their Own Games
The moment somebody starts picking games for themselves, you’re no longer convincing them to play.
They’ve become a gamer.
4. Give Them Their Own Space
At some point Katie got her own setup.
Her own PlayStation.
Her own controller.
And that matters.
Gaming feels different when it becomes yours.
The Best Part
The funny thing is, this was never really about gaming.
Gaming was just the vehicle.
The real win was finding another hobby we could share.
Something we could talk about.
Laugh about.
Experience together.
Now gaming shows up in our house differently than it used to.
Sometimes it’s family Fortnite.
Sometimes it’s LEGO games.
Sometimes it’s one of us playing while the other watches.
And sometimes it’s me getting reminded that the person I introduced to gaming is now carrying the team.
Which is a little humbling.
Check out The Parenting Side of Gaming next
Final Thoughts
If you’re trying to get your partner into gaming, don’t force it.
Don’t make it about your favorite game.
Don’t make it about competition.
Make it about fun.
Find stories they’ll connect with.
Find experiences you’ll share.
Then let gaming do what it does best.
Because one day you might look over and realize the person who once said, “I don’t really play video games,” is now asking if you’re getting on Fortnite tonight.
And that’s pretty freakin’ cool.