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.
GenCon 2009 Report – Family Gaming
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Posted on August 21st, 2009 by
In the past few years, GenCon has made a concerted effort to appeal to a broader audience than the stereotypical gamer geek. They have a areas set aside for kids to play boardgames, trips to the local museums and movie showings for gamer spouses, there’s even a giant highway billboard I see every day on the way to and from the convention that advertises GenCon as a family vacation destination. For the most part, I think they are succeeding. Even in the past five years that I have attended, I have noticed a significant shift in both the family-friendly offerings and a much larger family contingent of attendees. As I’m a big boardgaming fan, I managed to find more information on boardgames than can fit in a single article. So today I’ll focus on games and companies that are family-friendly. Next time we’ll cover boardgames that are cut out more suitable for enthusiastic gamers.
GenCon 2009 Report – Role Playing Games
Posted on August 20th, 2009 by
GenCon has come and gone once again in Indianapolis, leaving attendees with a bit less sleep, a bit more crowded game rooms, and a bit lighter in the wallet. However, most can claim to be satiated for the moment. GenCon is four days of concentrated gaming in one of the oldest and largest game-focused conventions in the US. I was able to attend for two days and spent most of my time roaming the large dealer floor, checking out the upcoming games. Started as an offshoot of TSR (the original Dungeons and Dragons company), GenCon has a strong role-playing presence in addition to the large number of boardgame and slightly fewer electronic gaming companies. For today, I’ll focus on the role playing game news that I found most interesting. In future articles, I’ll cover the electronic and the boardgame news from the show.
Tales of Monkey Island: Episode 2: The Siege of Spinner Cay (PC, WiiWare)
Posted on August 20th, 2009 by
When we last left Guybrush Threepwood: Mighty PirateTM, he had narrowly escaped the mystic winds of Flotsam Island, as well as the mad doctor who wanted his voodoo-cursed hand. But, the pirate hunter Morgan LeFlay has boarded his ship en route to rescue Guybrush’s wife Elaine. A swashbuckling battle ensues, and Morgan chops off Guybrush’s cursed hand, leaving him with a ‘handy’ hook. Now, setting sail for the Jerkbait Islands, Guybrush encounters a group of androgynous Mer-Folk, who task him with finding three mystic artifacts. These artifacts can lead him to a magical voodoo sponge that can soak up the Pox of LeChuck that Guybrush has unwittingly released, which is infecting pirates all over the Caribbean. But can Guybrush find them all before a group of nasty infected pirates completely take over the Mer-Folks’ home of Spinner Cay?
Bookworm Adventures 2
Posted on August 19th, 2009 by
Bookworm, Popcap.com’s awesome little wordsearch game, is now $2.99 at the Apple App store. If you have an iPhone or Touch, you need this app. I’ve been playing it constantly and my daughter (9) likes it too. But I’m really here to talk about Bookworm Adventures 2, PopCap’s clever little take on word search prowess with vague RPG/Adventure elements.
GamerDad PAX ’09
Posted on August 19th, 2009 by
I have some bad news. I’m not speaking at PAX this year. No panels, no packed halls for my GamerDad speech and no filling in for the ECA’s Hal Halpin to talk games and politics despite the fact that GamePolitics.com continues to snub me (hey, email them about that please). The reason? Two-fold. One: I’ve attended proudly for 3 years running. Two: There’s no need for me to continue. Come in to find out what I mean and read the complete story.
Beatles Rock Band
Posted on August 18th, 2009 by
There’s something (pun intended) about the way they move, but the Beatles have always attracted me like no other. In fact, the very first commercial recording I ever bought was THE LP (yeah, vinyl) of The Beatles mind-blowing Abbey Road. This memory, from when I was 9 or so, made me make a parenting decision I’m still very proud of. Instead of having my kids listen to that insipid children’s music crowding the playgroup – I spun the Beatles. The result? I have a 9-year old and a 6-year old who listen to the Beatles frequently and will be able to sing the vocal tracks of the upcoming Beatles Rock Band without error. The game comes 9/9/09 and that same day new remastered recordings of each album, with extras, will be released. Will it be bigger than, well you know? Can’t wait! I just can’t –
Game Review: Brave: A Warrior’s Tale (360)
Posted on August 17th, 2009 by
Village Chief and elder Brave spends his days telling stories to the young members of his tribe, passing down wisdom from his ancestors and teaching the children lessons through his tales. His latest yarn tells how he, as a younger Brave, defeated the evil spirit Wendigo. His tale is so vivid that the children can almost see it happening right in front of them. Join young Brave in this 3-D action platform jumping adventure based on Native American folklore and mythology.
Ask GD – Left 4 Dead and Kids
Posted on August 16th, 2009 by
Even though I’ve written a lot about this one, let me spotlight a new question about it:
I’m a parent of a 14 year old and a seven year old. They’re both boys (if that is applicable – I’m not being sexist) and my oldest wants to play Left 4 Dead. I know it’s M, and I know my youngest isn’t going to be even near it, but is it suitable for my 14 year old? I’m not too keen on violence and blood, but I would rather have him kill zombies than innocent children.
And, if I do get him L4D, is it illegal? Sorry I’m new to these M and AO games? – Krazy Koala
Game Review: Aliens in the Attic (DS)
Posted on August 14th, 2009 by
Aliens in the Attic is a family film about some kids spending their summer at their family’s vacation home. But when they venture up to the attic in the old house, they find more than just dusty cobwebs! Tiny knee-high space aliens have set up camp in their attic with a plan to control the grown-ups’ minds and take over the world. Now you can relive the summer movie adventure with Aliens in the Attic on the Nintendo DS. As Tom, Jake, and Hannah, it’s your job to explore the attic as well as the rest of the house and stop those aliens from invading Earth!
Save the Arcades
Posted on August 12th, 2009 by
Normally I don’t post press releases here, but as a fan of classic arcades, this one caught my interest. Looks as if Stride Gum is going to help raise money to help keep a video arcade in business. Also reminds me that I really want to visit that Arcade UFO in Austin, TX. I lived in Austin when I was in college. It’s probably a good thing that arcade wasn’t around when I was in college, or I might not have gotten any studying done! Anyway, here’s the press release:
