Welcome to GamerDad: Gaming with Children. My name is Andrew S. Bub - the GamerDad - and I've been writing about videogames, movies, and children for over 15 years now. After working as a magazine journalist, I switched gears to write about how media violence affects children, educating parents about them, and working closely with magazines, newspapers, major retailers and even politicians. GamerDad is an internationally recognized expert in this field. Games, movies and media are fun, kids and families love them, they aren't going away. So join me in cutting through the hype and lets have a real conversation about the things that matter: Video Games, Violent Media, and their supposed effect on children and families.
Welcome to GamerDad: Gaming with Children. My name is Andrew S. Bub - the GamerDad - and I've been writing about videogames, movies, and children for over 15 years now. After working as a magazine journalist, I switched gears to write about how media violence affects children, educating parents about them, and working closely with magazines, newspapers, major retailers and even politicians. GamerDad is an internationally recognized expert in this field. Games, movies and media are fun, kids and families love them, they aren't going away. So join me in cutting through the hype and lets have a real conversation about the things that matter: Video Games, Violent Media, and their supposed effect on children and families.
5/12/10 + Vlad Update
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Posted on May 12th, 2010 by
The kids are still gaming. Henry has been doggedly conquering Wario Shake It, a game he’s given up on many times before. If anyone ever claims videogames don’t teach anything – perseverance and imaginative problem solving are definitely things you can throw back in their faces. I’ve always taught him not to get mad. And beyond that, not to get frustrated. And beyond that, not to give up. But if you do give up to avoid getting mad or frustrated, come back one day and finish the job. The boy is doing me proud. Maggie is back on Club Penguin due to friends but she’s asking about Gardening Mama, so I might need to get a copy of that.
Team Fortress 2 in NZ
Posted on May 12th, 2010 by
Jayson (14) from New Zealand Writes: “I’m a 14yo guy who live in NZ and my dad is being rather unfair. I’ve played a very wide range of games rating from “G” to “R18”. While at home however I’m only allowed to play games rated “T”. I’ve let it go many times before but there is this one game called “Team Fortress 2” and it is rated “M” for cartoon violence. . . .
iFrogz EarPollution CS40Headphones
Posted on May 10th, 2010 by
People send me stuff. It happens. I have one simple rule because I don’t take advertising. If I LIKE what you send, I’ll mention it here. If I DON’T Like it, I won’t. That simple. Now, I normally don’t talk much about hardware but I have developed a habit of writing in an easy chair, legs crossed, with the laptop comfortably on my lap. I can do this because the kids are at school, the house is quiet, the dog is laying on top of the couch in a sunbeam – Snoopy style – and, if a nice day, the breeze is nice and breezy. Of course, its a long summer and there are these things called Weekends and during those times the kids are usually in and out, the TV is on, the Wii is on, the computer is on, etc., So what’s a habit formed GamerDad to do? Headphones, duh. iFrogz recently offered to send me a sample pair of their newest model and I figured: “Why not?” Luckily, this past Saturday, I had the perfect opportunity to test them out. Yes, my daughter and my son both had friends over and it was a crappy day. Me in my chair, them screaming, could I get any work done?
Game Review: Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack the Ripper (360)
Posted on May 10th, 2010 by
The video game is afoot! The world’s most famous detective is about to match wits with one of the most notorious killers in all of London. In Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper, help Sherlock and Dr. Watson solve the mystery of a series of murders and uncover the identity of the killer!
Happy GamerMother’s Day
Posted on May 9th, 2010 by
To all the moms, grandmoms, gamermoms, and single dads out there. Have a happy day! Here’s hoping your children buy you a card, flowers, gifts, candy and maybe a video game. My mom is going to have to settle for this post and dinner with her lovely son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. She deserves the best, so if she wants she can take the kids home with her for the week. Yep, the whole week. Now that’s a gift for any mom/grandmom! No seriously, pop in a copy of Cooking Mama into a game system and remember you owe this lovely woman your life!
Game Reviews: Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley (PSP)
Posted on May 8th, 2010 by
The Funland Corporation wants to build a new amusement park right over your grandfather’s run down farm in the village of Leaf Valley. It’s up to you to make the farm profitable again and save the town from destruction in this newest Harvest Moon game for the PSP.
Vlad – for now, Rejected
Posted on May 6th, 2010 by
I got the news today… Oh Boy… It seems my little book didn’t make the grade. Now i’m feeling very small. I thought I had it all … And now I take fall. Vlad was rejected by both Agent and publisher. Lose Turn, do not collect $200. – Sounds dire, doesn’t it? Yes it does, but I am safe in the knowledge that what’s actually happened is that George Lucas has turned me down. Sooo… paging Mr. Speilberg and so on down the list. Instead of a homer at my first time at bat, it’s a ground rule double. There’s always the next pitch. But for now? Yeah, yeah it hurts. It really, really hurts.
5/5/10
Posted on May 5th, 2010 by
Happy Cinco de Mayo! I dropped the Press Start, no particular reason, but since this is basically a gaming diary, I’ll just post the date. MY BOOK! I’m told that MacMillan is to give an answer regarding my debut book, Vlad the 5th Grader by the end of the week or the beginning of next. I’ve been giving it a re-read to my kids and wife, and so far, they’re big fans. I feel very strongly about the rewrite. Fingers crossed!
Harvard
Posted on May 5th, 2010 by
A nice young student working on a Masters in Education asked me to participate in a poll about bloggers and blogging habits. That’s all. I helped. I’m only bragging about it here because it’s kind of cool to be involved with Harvard in any way. I dropped out of College after completing the BA in Communications program at UWM.
Happy Mother’s Day! Video Games and Characters My Mom Likes
Posted on May 5th, 2010 by
