As gamers, video games are an essential part of our personalities.  They provide an escape from the real world, helping us unwind from work, school, and everything else in between.  Sometimes we enjoy games that have multiplayers built in.  We'll call up all our buds, turn on the big screen, and kick some ass as a team on Xbox Live.

There are some of us that feel differently.  Some like the solitude, the isolation from everyone else, to relax by playing a solo RPG.  Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that; everyone needs some alone time.  Either way you look at it, it's either you yourself or you and your buddies sharing these wonderful moments of smack talk or just zoning out.

Enter stage right.  The girlfriend.  We divide once more.  There are some of us that literally shove the controllers into their hands.  There are others who prefer to keep the fairer sex at a distance as they "yes," "uh-huh," and "I understand" their way to a conversation over the phone (as they sticky some noob in Halo 3, of course).  I tend to be of the latter; I'm sorry girls, video game time is ME time, which also includes football, unless, of course, you want to learn how football is played.

However, I'll put my preferences aside for there are many of us brethren that do wish to spend even VIDEO GAME TIME with their lovely counterparts.  Thus I have compiled some tips and tricks to get your ladyfriend in front of your TV.

1. Nintendo Wii.  Chicks dig the Wii.  Nintendo has done a great job by broadening their target demographic to... basically anyone.  Don't have enough cash for a real bowling alley?  Slip in that Wii Bowling and don't forget to curve your balls.  And for a change of pace, play some doubles tennis.  She'll love the fact that you guys are working together as a team, but be careful.  The same rules apply in real tennis: don't hog all the balls, or she'll get mad.
   
   
2. Sit her down and tell her this is who you are.  Maybe she loves art.  Perhaps she has dragged you to an art gallery a few times.  This is your chance to even up the score.  If she loves you, she'll make an effort to appreciate the same things you love.  The key here is to use the word: TRY.  It is very important that you use "try" because it puts the ball in her court.  People don't like coming off as narrow-minded or snobby.  The only times I've turned down trying something were times when I was offered seafood - I'm allergic.
   
   
3. This one can backfire and will only work if she's the clingy type.  Start ignoring her.  Play more and more of your game.  Soon, if she's psycho enough, she'll go to Gamestop, buy her own copy, secretly practice to get good, and then come back to try to experience the game with you.  THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED.  Just throwing it out there, though.  There have been rare occurrences where this has worked, a la World of Warcraft.
   
   
4. If she's the listening type, bring up interesting aspects of the game.  Who knows, she could be a potential gamer.  She has hands and a brain, doesn't she?  Become a salesman, SELL her the game.  Maybe she likes to cook; then Cooking Mama: Cook Off would be a suitable sell.  Then again, you might have to sacrifice playing a game you want in favor of selling the game you think she'll like playing.  But we can all hope that she enjoys World War II shooters and covert op adventures.
   

Now, if you're anything like me, video game time is a time where you don't want to hear about drama among her friends or the feud with the neighbors.  Here's how you pull it off:

1. Same thing as number 2.  Sit her down and tell her this is who you are.  Explain that you need some time away from her.  It is very important that you don't put her off whereas she'll ask if you mean to "take a break" from the relationship.  If she can have her girls day/night out shopping, then you should be allowed to pwn faces in Call of Duty from time to time.
   
   
2. Play a game that would put her off completely.  Perhaps she hates sports.  What better game can suit this purpose than Madden?  Maybe she doesn't like blood?  Find the goriest game ever and she'll leave you alone.  Or maybe some good ole fashion Oblivion.  It's single player and if you geek it up enough, hopefully she'll lose interest.
   
   
3. Don't live with her.  Simple.  If you live with her, then she'll realize how much time you spend playing video games.  Keep a distance, call ahead, make plans to go out, but always reserve some game time.  She doesn't need to know what you do 24/7, and you don't need to know what she does either.
   
   
4. Maybe this is the easiest and perhaps wussiest way out. Try sneaking in your video games when she's busy.  "Oh, I'm sorry honey, you're baking a cake?"  That translates into 30 minutes of mayhem mayhem mayhem in GTA.  My personal favorite: her best friend calls.  They'll talk for HOURS.