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 March 26th, 2010 by
Would you like to write for GamerDad? Sure, you all do. Why not? Lots of game developers, game journalists and VIPs actually read this site (I’m not kidding). This is just an idea mind you but I think it’s a good one. I’m old. 39 next month and I’m finding it harder and harder to keep up on the newest games with the bipping and the bopping and the hippity-hopping. I don’t think I’m too old to be a gamer, but I’m getting too old to keep up like I used to and should. My kids aren’t old enough to pick up some slack. This is making me much less effective than I’d like to be. And that’s just lame. Cary Woodham does a GREAT job lightening some of the load with his enthusiasm but he’s only one extremely talented guy. Hey, I’ve got some eager adults and teens here right? They buy and rent games, right? Why not let you guys contribute your opinions? Sound good? Well, here’s how we’ll do this then–
Pokemon Heart Gold & Soul Silver
Posted on March 26th, 2010 by
As a gaming expert – excuse me – as a gaming with children expert there are still a few holes in my game knowledge. I confess, Pokemon is a big one. Having only seen the TV show – which I maintain is horrible beyond measure – and being familiar with the general idea, I sort of lumped it into the Online Role Playing Game category as a game I don’t recommend because it’s a time sink, and kids do not need time sinks in their already too busy lives. (That’s probably the worst structured sentence I’ve ever written. But it’s early and I haven’t had my coffee.)
Game Review: Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon (Wii)
Posted on March 25th, 2010 by
In Fragile Dreams, a new anime advventure for the Nintendo Wii, play as Seto, a teenage boy who lives in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. When the old man he lives with passes away, Seto loses the only one he knows in the world. So, armed with only a flashlight and whatever he can carry on his back, Seto sets out into the ruins of the Earth to try and find others like him, and maybe along the way he’ll reveal the mystery of what caused this catastrophe.
Comic Books Caused Vampire Panic
Posted on March 25th, 2010 by
Excellent article today at the BBC 2 detailing a case in Scotland where, apparently, a bunch of schoolkids fueled a rumor that there was a local 7′ tall child-eating vampire (with iron teeth) in the local graveyard. Naturally, being kids, they staked out the graveyard and patrolled it looking for the monster. Some kids were serious, some mocking, and they claimed 2 kids had been eaten by the beast. Parents and civic leaders panicked, despite there being no actual kids missing, but they tackled the SOURCE of the problem quickly… they Blamed American Comic Books. The more things change folks, the more they don’t change. Thanks to local Vampire author Elaine Bergstrom for the link via Facebook.
Game Review: Zhu Zhu Pets (DS)
Posted on March 23rd, 2010 by
Zhu Zhu Pets are a line of award-winning popular electronic pet hamster toys. These furry critters intelligently roll around their own tracks and habitats. And now they’re ready to scoot and scurry around on your Nintendo DS in a virtual pet game that captures the zippy spirit of the toy line.
Game Review: Lunar: Silver Star Harmony (PSP)
Posted on March 22nd, 2010 by
Lunar: The Silver Star is one of the most beloved classic role playing games. It was originally for the Sega CD and later remade for the PlayStation. And now, fans old and new can experience Lunar again on the go with Lunar: Silver Star Harmony for the PlayStation Portable (it’s based on the PSX remake). Join young adventurer Alex, who idolizes Dragonmaster Dyne—one of the Four Heroes who saved the world many years before. Alex teams up with friends old and new on a quest to become a Dragonmaster just like his hero, and they’ll end up saving the world from evil again in the process!
Talladega Daze: Part 3
Posted on March 20th, 2010 by
Last week I went on vacation to Alabama. We have a lot of relatives there and I like to visit them whenever we can. We did a lot of things on this trip and I took a lot of pictures, so I wanted to share them with you all! On the third day we went to Birmingham, AL, and saw the big Vulcan statue and an abandoned steel mill that’s supposedly haunted! WHOOOOOO!
Talladega Daze: Part 2
Posted on March 20th, 2010 by
Last week I went on vacation to Alabama. We have a lot of relatives there and I like to visit them whenever we can. We did a lot of things on this trip and I took a lot of pictures, so I wanted to share them with you all! On day 2 we went to Talladega to see the race track and car museum!
Talladega Daze: Part 1
Posted on March 20th, 2010 by
Last week I went on vacation to Alabama. We have a lot of relatives there and I like to visit them whenever we can. We did a lot of things on this trip and I took a lot of pictures, so I wanted to share them with you all! On the first day, we drove up to Tennessee to see the Jack Daniels whiskey distillery.
A Teen Admits I was Right?
Posted on March 18th, 2010 by
CONFUSED GAMER WRITES: Hey Gamerdad its Confused Gamer again. When i last talked to you i was 13 and i had been asking why my parents had not let me play GTA 4. I am 15 now and have played through the game and must say how amazing and mature the game was. I used to hate how you told parents that they should not let their kids play it but after playing through it i could not agree more. Though the game is very detailed and immersive, I am glad i waited. I guess i just wanted to say thank you for all your advice and to all you other teen gamers out there trying to get this game, if your parents say wait, wait! It is worth it, trust me. P.S here is a link to see my most recent question.
