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.
A Big Media Question
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Posted on March 1st, 2010 by
Christopher Asks a BIG Question here: “Closing your mind is where the true immorality and ignorance live.”
How is this statement any different than say, “Opening one’s mind too much can allow true immorality and ignorance to consume healthy awareness”?
Both are opinionated expressions that have no meaning beyond a persons desire to believe in them. A closed mind, like repression, can be unhealthy. But it is also correct that an open mind, like free expression, can be unhealthy as well. How can anyone say with even remote certainty that technology like video games are not affecting most people negatively on some level? It is not possible to measure the correlation between many aspects of behavior and influence. There are far to many variables involved to just shrug off the idea that exposure to such things as video games and movies can be socially unhealthy. One could drown on a boat ride, but I would venture that exposure to the atmosphere in a real world context is always a healthier outlet than exposure to a simulated fantasy created by strangers for (among other thing) your money.
Icons
Posted on February 28th, 2010 by
I was sitting here thinking about the iconic games in gaming. Not the most important games, not even the pivotal games, but the most “iconic” of their era. The games you think of when you think of THAT console or THAT time period in gaming. Here’s my list, in rough order: Pong, Space Invaders, Battlezone, Donkey Kong, Zork, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros, Dragon’s Lair, Gauntlet, Tetris, Street Fighter 2, Doom, Civilization, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario Kart, TecmoBowl/Madden, Halo, Grand Theft Auto 3, Wii Sports…. and?
Jenny & the Giant – Chapter III
Posted on February 28th, 2010 by
When not playing video games for work, being a stay-at-home parent, loving up my wife and caring for the house – I have a dream. My dream is to become a beloved Children’s Book writer. Here’s a sequel to Jack & the Beanstalk, my first book. PLEASE comment! I have a thick skin. I plan to post at least the first three chapters here’s Chapter III: Signed: A Foe. So, here goes, this one is for the 6-12 year olds out there: – Andrew S.Bub (all rights reserved)
The Characters of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
Posted on February 28th, 2010 by
Recently I got Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing for Xbox 360. It’s a racing game starring popular Sega game characters. Yes, it’s a Mario Kart rip-off through and through, but it’s a fun one. I don’t mind copycat games as long as they’re entertaining. So here’s a blog about all the characters you can race as!
State of the Heart – A Favor
Posted on February 26th, 2010 by
Please do me a favor: Use your email, your MySpace, your Friendster, your FaceBook to relay this message. It sounds cheap. It should maudlin. It sounds too easy. But there is one very important thing I learned from my near-death experiences of 2.5 years ago. (I had a several major heart attacks and a pulmonary embolism back in 2006 at the age of 36.) What I learned from this is that people should be more honest. Honestly praise each other, find strengths and single them out. Don’t hold back. Don’t do this out of love or charity, do it because insecurity is the biggest waste of time and life there is. Do it because you will change lives. You will improve people. Do it honestly, don’t lie, but do it. It costs you nothing and could make someone become what they should be. Please spread this message. I want this to go viral. Thank you.
iPhone Apps
Posted on February 26th, 2010 by
There’s an app for this and for that. My PSP is gathering lots of dust and the DS has become pretty much the province of my 7-year old son. Most of my mobile gaming comes from my iPhone. Since some of you might have Apple’s magical device, or something similar, I thought I’d mention the apps I’ve been playing most. Here we go!
Jenny & the Giant Chapter II
Posted on February 25th, 2010 by
When not playing video games for work, being a stay-at-home parent, loving up my wife and caring for the house – I have a dream. My dream is to become a beloved Children’s Book writer. Here’s a sequel to Jack & the Beanstalk, my first book. PLEASE comment! I have a thick skin. I plan to post at least the first three chapters here’s Chapter II: The Sky is Falling! So, here goes, this one is for the 6-12 year olds out there: – Andrew S.Bub (all rights reserved)
Are You a Bad Enough Dude to Play Data East Arcade Classics?
Posted on February 24th, 2010 by
Good or bad, I love arcade classic game compilations. And I also love writing blogs about them. So here’s one about all the games in Data East Arcade Classics for the Wii.
I don’t dislike Bioshock 2
Posted on February 24th, 2010 by
Really, I don’t, I’m just having a hard time getting excited about playing it. I loved the first one, with it’s unique setting, compelling gameplay and Ayn Rand meets dehumanized apocalypse story – but I feel like I’m dine with Rapture. This isn’t normally the case with sequels if games I like. I hear it gets awesome near the end but I think i’m going to have a hard time getting there. Knee jerk I’d say this is bloody enough for 15+ but conservatively, go with the rating of M-mature. Anyone played further? Please comment. Yours beneath the waves – Big GamerDaddy
A Question of Advertising/Influence
Posted on February 23rd, 2010 by
John writes: “Anyone who says that they aren’t effected by what they view in media, including gaming, is ignorant or fooling themselves. Advertisers know. They pay hundreds of billions of dollars a year to get your viewing time. The money devoted, year after year, to getting in front of your eyes is proof enough that what people see, hear and experience effects their behavior. Parents who buy this stuff for their kids are poor excuses for parents. They should be engaging them in activities that promote their development in a constructive way. They have no regrets though… they are too ignorant to recognize it and lack the morals to guide them”
