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.
The Sims 3
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Posted on July 21st, 2009 by
Has it been that long since the Sims 2 came out? Heck, I’m oldschool enough to have reviewed the first one (I was delighted that games seemed to moving in a more mainstream direction). Well, after countless Sims add-on packs we’re back to the simple life. No pets, no genies, no bizarre careers (oh yes, I’m sure those are coming), but better graphics, a smarter game overall, and that same magic. It’s an interactive dollhouse and just because you might not like it, doesn’t mean it’s not good. And man, have I got a story to tell you! I’ll try not to write it in Simglish, or whatever they’re calling Sim-gibberish these days.
Unplugged: D&D, Highlights of the Year
Posted on July 20th, 2009 by
The newest incarnation of the Dungeons and Dragons role playing game (4th edition) has been out for just over a year. Reviews were fairly mixed at first, but most of the furor of over changes to the game have died down. Die hard fans of the old system (3.5 edition) have moved on to keep their holy flame lit in support of their familiar system, but most players have moved on and begun to embrace the new version. Wizards of the Coast has succeeded in their attempt to overhaul the game by making it easier to learn, quicker to play, and better balanced for character options. My initial reservation to the new system was a concern over the lack of variety in player characters. One fighter-type was pretty much like another and there was very little room to customize to make a unique character. Fortunately, material published throughout the year has done much to improve the situation. Follow along with me and I’ll give you a virtual tour of a year of releases, giving you the skinny on what books are best, and which ones you might as well avoid. Today we’ll look at my top picks of the year, and tomorrow we’ll briefly hit every major release of the year.
Game Review: Science Papa (Wii)
Posted on July 19th, 2009 by
Remember TV shows like Bill Nye: The Science Guy, Beakman’s World, and Mr. Wizard (for us old folks) who made learning about science fun? Well now you can make science fun on the Wii with Activision’s new video game: Science Papa.
Roogoo Reviews: Roogoo Twisted Towers (Wii) & Roogoo Attack! (DS)
Posted on July 17th, 2009 by
Ever heard of the phrase: “You can’t fit a square peg in a round hole?” Well that’s the basic premise of two new video game puzzlers: Roogoo Twisted Towers on the Wii, and Roogoo Attack! on the DS. Both are based on the original Xbox LIVE Roogoo title, but each adds new features and gameplay modes.
Cary’s Best Video Games of 2009 SO FAR Awards Show!
Posted on July 14th, 2009 by
Can you believe the year is half over already? At the end of the year, everyone does a ‘best games of the year’ article and oftentimes, the games that were released at the beginning of the year are overshadowed by the big holiday titles that come out near the end. So I like to take some time in the middle of the year to give recognition to the best games of the year SO FAR. Now, keep in mind that this is my list only, and no other outside opinions are present. This means my list may be a little unfair because of my tastes in games (so stuff like MadWorld, InFamous, or Prototype won’t be on here). And plus, I’m only one person so I can’t play ALL the games. But enough with the introductions, please sit back and read about my picks for Best Games of the Year SO FAR!
GamerDad at iVillage Again!
Posted on July 10th, 2009 by
Another slideshow, this time a bit more fun. iVillage also asked me to handle the writing portion for another slideshow, this one about classic games.
GamerDad in iVillage.com
Posted on July 10th, 2009 by
How many ways are videogames GOOD for kids? Let me count them. Or just click on the link below to see how many ways iVillage wanted for the following slideshow (hint: it’s in the title). Remember, it takes an iVillage to raise a child. (iVillage is a publication of NBC/Universal and is one of the most popular communities for mom-age women who are likely suspicious of gaming.)
Tiger Woods PGA 10 for Wii
Posted on July 10th, 2009 by
Q: Is Tiger Woods for Wii any better than last year? Does the new Motion sensor make it better? – TWood
Yes and yes. Golf eludes me. I mean real golf, it eludes me. Oh its not that I can’t find it – Milwaukee has an admirable number of cheap yet beautiful courses of varying difficulty – and its not completely due to any lack of money, the reason I don’t play much golf, I think, is because I’m pretty bad at it and have no interest in devoting to time to getting better – right now. Yet in spite of all that, I do like it. Since video games are all about doing something virtually that you can’t do, uh, nonvirtually, I do like me some video game golf. I’ve been playing video golf since the days when Links ruled the world, Golden Tee hadn’t dominated the arcade world and EA Sports’ Tiger Woods was just an upstart cub.
Game Review: Tales of Monkey Island: Episode 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal (PC)
Posted on July 7th, 2009 by
Arr, Matey! This be the typical, hackneyed way to start off a pirate-y game review! One of the most beloved point and click adventure series is back with Tales of Monkey Island for the PC (and later WiiWare). Join bumbling Guybrush Threepwood, Mighty PirateTM, as he rescues his wife Elaine from pirate demon LeChuck’s clutches. But when a voodoo concoction makes Guybrush’s magic cutlass go awry, his left hand gets possessed by LeChuck’s spirit and everyone gets shipwrecked and separated. Can Guybrush escape the winds of Flotsam Island, keep his possessed hand from getting him into trouble, AND save Elaine? Find out in the first episode: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal.
Plants vs. Zombies
Posted on July 6th, 2009 by
Two … tastes, that taste, er, tasty together! Everyone seems to have caught on that a zombie apocalypse is inevitable and I highly recommend Max Brooks’ Survival Guide (did you know that Max is Mel Brooks’ son?). Popcap is smarter than most, they realize that the ultimate weapon against the hordes of undead are neighborhood plants. All hail the gardener! This is one terrific strategy game!
