Hi there and welcome to GAMEparents, the website that helps you make the right decisions about computers and computer games. If this is your first visit, we recommend you read through the "What We're About" section by clicking here.
After that if you want to get a head start on finding out about computer and video games we would suggest the following:
Learning is the Game - an article that exposes the positive aspects of video games and there are more than you might think! Click here
Everything Bad is Good For You - A review of the book by Steven Johnson that reveals how popular culture (including video games) may actually be benefiting our education not demeaning it. Click here
Computer Game Genres - Ever wondered what the different types of video games are? Wonder no longer. Click here
Finally, here are several other sites we highly recommend depending on where you are.
GamerDad is a great resource for American parents who are gamers too. You’ll find GamerDad at www.gamerdad.com.
GameParents.de - this new site was launched recently in Germany. www.gameparents.de has the same mission as us – to educate its visitors and members about video gaming and is well worth the visit for German speakers.
New Review Alert: Rock on! We've been playing Rock Band as much as we can over the past few weeks in preparation for its imminent arrival in Australia. Check out our review based on the US version we had flown in.
Read the complete review for the PlayStation 3 version here.
New Review Alert: Well, as promised, we're back with some fresh game reviews. Wii Fit and Super Smash Bros Brawl are coming soon, but one game that recently arrived on the Nintendo Wii that most definitely deserves a mention is the latest in the Mario Kart series. David Slyderink has the inside info.
New Review Alert: GAMEparents welcomes another writer to the fold, with David Slyderink venturing into the galaxy with Mario and his three year old daughter. See what we think of this epic adventure on the Nintendo Wii.
Well, the five - er, two - minutes of fame have been and gone and the episode is now available for download from ABC's website at the URL below. It's interesting the angle they took, and what parts they used from what was originally an hour or so worth of interview.
Some of the things I would like to mention that didn't have time to be covered in the episode were:
Games specifically targeting younger gamers - the Imagine series on Nintendo DS and the Petz and Wild Animalz games for multiple platofrms - both from Ubisoft. The recent Dora the Explorer game for DS and PlayStation 2 and corresponding Diego games, all from 2K.
Sony's commitment to family gaming with SingStar, EyeToy and Buzz - all accessible to the younger gamers.
The excellent Eye of Judgment trading card cross video game from Sony for the PS3 is a great option for the TCG fanatic.
Rockstar's commitment to engaging people's imagination with games like GTA IV and almost singlehandedly attempting to elevate gaming to be accepted at the same level as all other forms of entertainment.
The huge amount of value that can be had in video gaming - from the brain training aspects - logic, problem solving, understanding of physics, vocabulary and language skills, and so on, to the socialisation aspects in both the home and family situation as well as with friends.
A couple of quotes (courtesy of ABC's Good Game): AP: every kid's individual and you as a parent will actually have the best idea of what's appropriate for your child.
AP: video gaming can be addictive to some kids and you need to be really careful that those kids in particular are catered for as a parent - it's part of your resp - particularly during the week, you want to be looking at restricting the amount of gameplay.
AP: as long as parents are aware of what children are playing ... there is no downside to gaming.
One last comment that I would like to make that didn't make it into the final piece is that traditional wisdom about gaming is OK in moderation needs to be tempered with your own understanding of your kids and their specific situation. You wouldn't punish a child who wants to spend every waking moment doing gymnastics, or who spends four afternoons a week playing soccer or cricket, so why should you do the same for a child who naturally leans towards less active pursuits.
Make sure you check out the complete piece on the Good Game website.
New Review Alert: Grand Theft Auto IV is perhaps this year's most anticipated title - read David Burela's review to find out if he thinks the hype was warranted (hint -yes it was).
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