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.
Naruto and laundry…
1 Comment
Posted on November 30th, 2007 by
This week has been insane. I need to do laundry like Blue Elf needs food. I achieved this state in the middle of last week and have been walking around flashing red since then. For some reason only comprehensible to teenage girls, my daughters decided to help at 5:45 in the morning. We learned something new.
Getcha Head in the Game!
Posted on November 29th, 2007 by
Maggie loves High School Musical. No wait, she adores it. She’s constantly singing the strangely non-heinous soundtrack and requesting viewing after viewing after viewing of the DVD and DVR copies of the movie and sequel respectively. That’s why I didn’t wait when I saw a commercial for a Karaoke Revolution style videogame based on the property – I couldn’t resist. I went out and bought it and my daughter hasn’t stopped singing.
Drake’s Fortune = PS3 Owner’s Fortune
Posted on November 29th, 2007 by
It’s always kind of sad when the PlayStation 3 gets a terrific exclusive. Games like Resistance are rare indeed and I want to tell everyone I know to go and buy them (Resistance is not for kids!) – but I can’t. All of my friends either have Wii, Xbox 360, handhelds or PCs. While it’s still not quite worth the price, the PS3 does have some great games, and now they have one of the “must plays” of the year in “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.”
The Power of Animal Crossing
Posted on November 26th, 2007 by
(Thanks to Penny-Arcade and Kotaku for linking this…)
I’ve heard this story many times. It’s a common story. About the power that our little virtual worlds have to affect people in touching ways. Please do me the honor of clicking this link and watching this video. Maybe share it with your mom, dad, spouse, children or friends. I can’t add anything else – words fail – so I’ll let the video speak for itself.
Do the Mario!
Posted on November 24th, 2007 by
In honor of Super Mario Galaxy recently being released, I figure I’ll do a history of Mario blog thingie right here. But this won’t be any regular history of Mario. Oh no, that’s been done to death already on the Internet. This’ll be MY history with Mario. You know, the games I played, experienced, and personally enjoyed. So as Mario would say: “Let’s-a go!”
A Day of Thanks
Posted on November 22nd, 2007 by
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday but this year it’s especially poignant. This year we have a lot more to be thankful for. This year I almost died and this year I learned an awful lot about myself and GamerDad.com. That’s why I’m proud to present a simple, straightforward and heart-felt post at GamingWithChildren.com. Come inside for more and a note from GamerMom.
(Go Packers!)
Grandpa DS Question
Posted on November 21st, 2007 by
Great question from a GamerDad reader:
“I am getting my two grandsons, each a Nintendo DS and am
relying heavily on your reviews. Thank you. Query: If I buy
just one copy of Mario & Luigi Partners in Time, can
the boys play with each other on their separate machines?
In your write up on Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, you suggest
this is a good choice for siblings, although they are somewhat
violent. The same question is asked. Can they play the same
game with the two DS machines?”
Answers follow:
Dems + GOP = Game Censorship?
Posted on November 20th, 2007 by
Well, it seems a few Senators, including a Democratic Front Runner and a former GOP candidate attacked the ESRB and their changed M-rating of Manhunt 2 today. They want a “review of the ratings process” (something the MPAA that rates movies has never endured) and Manhunt 2 to be re-rated as Adults Only. First a bit of background: Manhunt 2 originally got an AO rating and was banned by the UK. Rockstar Games made the requested changes (which the ESRB doesn’t disclose) and netted an M-Mature. The resulting game stinks, but not because of this self-censorship. Okay, caught up? Quote, link, and analysis follows:
Zelda – the gift that just keeps giving!
Posted on November 20th, 2007 by
Do you have a Nintendo DS? Then I bet you also have The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass! If not, all is forgiven, just make sure you ask Santa for one. Because not only is it the awesome game of awesomeness, it has a hidden benefit as revealed by GamerDad forum member codespace.
Duty Calls 4
Posted on November 18th, 2007 by
Just finished Call of Duty 4 and boy are my eyes tired. The game is seriously good looking and that makes
the game all the more frightening. You play several characters – some of whom die from your perspective – and since these SAS and US Marine boys look and sound a lot like our own real-life boys currently in harm’s way due to “stop loss,” the game feels more Mature than the gore level, language, and blood netted it an M from the ESRB.
