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.
Turrets Sydrome
6 Comments
Posted on October 18th, 2007 by
With the wonderful Orange Box now released, review sites, forums and chat channels around the internet are ablaze with critiques, comments, and strategy discussions for the various games. Here, I bring you a public service announcement:
There is no such thing as a turrent*.
The GameStop Return Blues
Posted on October 17th, 2007 by
My son got a cool DS case from my wife’s sister for his birthday. Because she lives far away, she ordered it online and had it shipped. The GameStop site said ‘colors are shipped at random’ – which meant my 11 year old son naturally ended up with the Pink & White version. The return process was simple enough – just go exchange it at a local store (after calling to make sure they had a black or charcoal one). But it is what I saw done to an 8-year old kid who just wanted to get his copy of the new Zelda game that almost had me in tears.
When are we gonna bust some Decepti-chops?
Posted on October 14th, 2007 by
In honor of the live action Transformers movie being released on DVD this week, I thought I’d repost a blog I wrote about everything I knew about the little robots. Transform and roll out!
GenCon – Crossroads of Gaming
Posted on October 11th, 2007 by
With the E3 expo moving focus off of fans and attempting to narrow its targets onto the core business side of gaming, video game publishers have begun to move their promotional drives over to other large conventions. GenCon is no exception. While GenCon has had its share of videogame representation, particularly games related to RPGs, the video game side of things has grown somewhat in recent years. In addition, the video game industry (which some argue grew out of the board and RPG gaming industry) continues to filter back into the world of boardgaming. While it has been a few weeks since GenCon actually happened, many of the newest games on display at the convention are only now appearing in your local game store. (For example, Starcraft: The Boardgame is expected to be available later this month.)
The Worst of Both Worlds
Posted on October 10th, 2007 by
I love my PSP and I love role-playing games with a particular interest in turn-based fantasy games based in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. So it should be apparent that I was going to be hotly anticipating the release of Dungeons & Dragons Tactics for the PSP. You might have seen my GamerDad review, but that isn’t even HALF of the story …
What should I wear for Halloween?
Posted on October 9th, 2007 by
I don’t really do much for Halloween. I don’t go out or dress up. I just stay home and give out candy to the kids that come by. That’s just as fun to me. But sometimes I’ll wear something a little silly so the kids will have something to laugh at when they come by.
Return of the Queen
Posted on October 7th, 2007 by
This isn’t about gaming, but about music. In an age where so many heroes of the 60’s counterculture musical rebellion are shamelessly promoting products they would never have previously endorsed and carting themselves out on revival tours like the worst sort of self-parody, a familiar voice assumed to be gone forever has returned with some fresh new music to remind us that getting older doesn’t have to mean becoming decrepit. That voice is Joni Mitchell.
Game Healing – Videogames and Recuperation
Posted on October 6th, 2007 by
As a videogame advocate I’ve taken some positions with GamerDad for no better reasons than logic, gut feeling, and intuition. I’ve been playing violent games for 30 years, I’ve been associating with the “hardcore” for over 15, and I’ve covered the industry for 10. I know games themselves aren’t “addictive” because if you show me an addict, I’ll show you someone who has far greater problems then videogames. I know violence in games doesn’t desensitize gamers toward real violence because I’ve played these games and because I know gamers. They’re among the most gentle and kind people I know.
I support, publicly and privately, charities like Child’s Play and GetWellGamers because I believe that games can distract from pain, anxiety, and worse. I know violent games are cathartic. Well, I don’t have to “believe” that any longer. As a quadruple bypass survivor, I’m living it. more…
The *real* New Season starts … November 8th!
Posted on October 2nd, 2007 by
Sure we are just a couple of weeks into the start of the Fall TV season, but other than Heroes who really cares?!?! Now we have some *real* news of the most lagomorphic kind! Sam & Max bring back real episodic gaming for a second round on November 8th!
GamerDad Interviewed by EGM Brazil!
Posted on October 1st, 2007 by
A very polite young journalist contacted me recently. Seems Electronic Gaming Monthly (Brazil
Edition) wanted to write about GamerDad.com and “gaming with children.” So we did a little interview and they said I could post it for you. Enjoy! more…
