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.
Console Guide: Nintendo Dual Screen (DS)
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Posted on March 18th, 2008 by
By far the most frequent question I get here at GamerDad is:
“What console should I buy for my kids?”
Should You Buy a Nintendo DS?
The Onion Exposes Wii
Posted on March 18th, 2008 by
In a fit of journalistic daring-do the Onion newspaper has exposed the true danger posed by the Wii’s motion controlled sensitivity. It doesn’t teach our kids to kill, but it might teach them to mince. Sometimes satire is the best way to show how lame an argument truly is. “These games are a prissy little menace to our society,” said Linda Roberts, 35, a mother of three and founder of the group Parents Against Wii, which is suing Nintendo for $52 million in damages from two recent swattings.”
Review – Sam & Max Episode 202: Moai Better Blues (PC)
Posted on March 18th, 2008 by
Season Two of Sam & Max has already hit its groove – the first episode was an absolute blast, and the laughs and crazy fun continue. I had it on my laptop during the vacation we took with my wife’s sister’s family to Disney World over Christmas, and there were loads of laughs for everyone. My kids have finished Season One and the first episode of Season Two and have just been dying to get their hands on this one. The new naming scheme that Telltale adopted for the previous episode continues – rather than the ‘Season X Episode Y’ naming convention they have simplified to ‘Episode 202’, indicating season and episode in a single number. Something that has not changed is the high quality of the writing and jokes.
Review: Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney–with BONUS!
Posted on March 17th, 2008 by
Video games allow us to try out all sorts of occupations. A brave explorer, a criminal, master surgeon, or princess-saving plumber. But only one game series lets you be a…lawyer? The Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series has delighted Nintendo DS gamers with three great titles. Now for the fourth game, there’s a new attorney in town. Can Apollo Justice prove that he’s got the Wright stuff?
Ask GamerDad 3/14/08
Posted on March 16th, 2008 by
Sorry, I was out of town and didn’t link this one when it went up. It looks like I’m on a roll now. The questions for my exclusive WhatTheyPlay column are getting harder and better – and more numerous – and I’m starting to have a really good time answering them. This week I tackle: Super Smash Bros for the under E-10+ set; Bilingual gaming; “I’m 61 can you help me find X in game Y?”; Gaming with Kindergartners, and a pressing question involving lunch meat. All this and more, follow the link!
Console Guide: GameBoy Advance SP
Posted on March 16th, 2008 by
By far the most frequent question I get here at GamerDad is:
“What console should I buy for my kids?”
Should You Buy a GameBoy Advance? more…
Review – Loki: Heroes of Mythology (PC)
Posted on March 16th, 2008 by
Everyone like a good hack & slash action-RPG with hordes of monsters to kill and loads of shiny loot to gather up, right? Must be so, since ever since Diablo games have come along with a very similar formula. Some – like Nox or especially Divine Divinity – actually feature deep RPG plots and characters along with intense click-action combat. But most games in the genre gave been content with emulating a very familiar recipe over and over again. Some such as Sacred remain deeply rooted in the fantasy genre, while others such as Silverfall or Titan Quest take players outside of the typical world of swords and sorcerers in an attempt to bring new things to the genre. Enter Loki, the next game in the genre with yet another new take on the ‘Diablo clone’ formula.
Choices and Consequences
Posted on March 14th, 2008 by
When my kids were in karate, the sensei used the STAR program from the Jefferson Center for Character Education, which stood for ‘Stop, Think, Act, and Review’. The program focused on take control over your destiny by taking responsibility for your actions. At this point my kids remember more about that program than they remember the karate moves they learned! We have integrated the same philosophy in our parenting, so they certainly understand that there are definite consequences to the actions they take. So based on the news of the past week, I bet you can already guess what story I am talking about. But you’d be wrong.
New DS game mixes Looney Toons and Elite Beat Agents!
Posted on March 14th, 2008 by
I had heard good things about Duck Amuck but hadn’t planned on buying until Cary wrote is typically awesome and overflowing review of the mini-games. Then I simply had to get it! And since then it has become a fave in our family – everyone has enjoyed it, but my younger son has taken complete hold of it … I don’t think I’ll ever get to play again. So while it is rare for me to get gaga over a game announcement that isn’t a PC RPG or FPS, this one has me shouting GIMME!
Horton Hears a Who – Review
Posted on March 14th, 2008 by
Horton the elephant introduced me to science-fiction. Or, more accurately, Dr. Seuss did. The idea that an entire civilization might be located on a speck, and that speck is located on a clover, and that clover is held in the trunk of an elephant? Then what if WE are. . . yep, introduced me to sci-fi – and to philosphy, come to think of it.
