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.
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Posted on February 4th, 2010 by
Curious Teen Asks: So, I’m 13 and not allowed to play M rated games. To the most part this does not bother me, but, seeing how most of my friends are constantly over a network with each other, It makes talking about games at school a little akward. Let’s get down to the point. If MW2 left out the controversial airport level, would it still be a rated m game? I know its a difficult question so a rough guess would be alright.
Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Rock Band
Posted on February 4th, 2010 by
I’m really enjoying the Beatles Downloadable Content for Beatles Rock Band. So far they’ve added the incomparable Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and the one that first indicated that the Beatles were going from Pop to Art, Rubber Soul. I can’t emphasize enough how important and kid safe I believe these albums are, and I disagree with the T-Teen rating vehemently. My kids love it, my wife loves it, it’s one of the rare games that always brings our family together. I’m left wondering though, how are they going to encode Revolution #9 when they get to The White Album?
Crispy Gamer – Burned to a Crisp
Posted on February 3rd, 2010 by
I always hated the name. Apparently it’s slang for “cool” somewhere but I work with Kids and Teens, and nobody says “Crispy.” Still, I’m going to remember that name for a long time. And remember it fondly. CrispyGamer.com was an independent voice in game journalism – a rare thing. They refused game ads and staffed themselves with the very best video game journalists in the business. I was honored to be asked to join their GAME TRUST and I launched a Political and Parenting column for them, as well as doing a few reviews. Since this was right after my heart attack the timing was terrible and after a year – we parted ways. I’ve always regretted that and a part of me always figured they’d be there when I was finally ready to come back. Well, it didn’t happen soon enough because CrispyGamer.com and all it’s talented staff and freelancers are now out in the cold. I’m hoping other sites pick up the editorial slack and hire some of these unique voices – but I’m not betting on it. Crispy Gamer, take it from GamerDad – You died way too young. Full details in this excellent article by Harold Goldberg that illustrates just what we’ve lost – the site was more than just a faux hip name. It was a rare island of real journalism in the sea of mediocrity that is, too often, game journalism.
Game Review: 5 in 1 Solitaire (WiiWare)
Posted on February 3rd, 2010 by
Five popular single-player card games are now available to download on WiiWare and DSiWare in 5 in 1 Solitaire (Wii version reviewed here). Play classic standbys like Klondike, Free Cell, and Spider Solitaire as well as two newer ones: Solitaire Golf and Gaps (my personal favorite).
The Crazy Characters of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom (well, mostly Capcom)
Posted on January 31st, 2010 by
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom just came out for the Wii in the US. It’s a Vs. fighting game featuring some of your favorite Capcom video game heroes against characters from popular Japanese animation company Tatsunoko (makers of Speed Racer). So in this blog, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the characters in the game! Well, at least the ones from the Capcom side anyway! Warning: if you’re not a Capcom freak, you may want to skip over this blog, as a lot of the references may just go over your head.
Dark Void Zero (DSiWare)
Posted on January 30th, 2010 by
Dark Void is a recently released Capcom game for the big consoles, and to drum up interest for it, they did something incredibly clever: promote the game with an 8-bit DSiWare download called Dark Void Zero. I don’t have any interest in the main Dark Void game, but I’d have to say that Dark Void Zero is probably more fun, especially if you’re a classic Capcom NES fan!
Happy Birthday Linda!
Posted on January 29th, 2010 by
Today is Linda’s mmph birthday! Yes, she’s mmph years old! So, Henry, Maggie and I celebrate her today with gifts, kisses, hugs and some more adult things. We all owe her everything. Everything and more! Love you baby!
FAST FOOD PANIC CONTEST!
Posted on January 28th, 2010 by
FAST FOOD PANIC CONTEST DEADLINE IS OVER! THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED! WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL.
Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games
Posted on January 27th, 2010 by
My son Henry (6) is really smitten with this one and, while I don’t think it’s the best minigame collection available (it’s got nothing on Wii Sports Resort) it’s a solid party game for when you’re eyes are done bleeding from Olympic coverage. The genius is that they kept it simple. Every minigame here, and there are a lot of them, is generally controlled by simple remote movements. Bowl to send the curling weight, if you’re playing curling, as your teammates frantically brush ahead of it as if their remotes were brooms – man that is a weird sport. Bobsledding means tilting the remote to hug the turns, hockey is simple and even skiing is quick and intuitive.
A HEAVY Rain is Gonna Fall
Posted on January 25th, 2010 by
Hard Heavy Rain hasn’t come out yet, I believe it’s due in late February (PS3 only), but it promises to be a violent adult kind of game. How adult? Here’s what the ESRB had to say :
