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.
Battlefield Bad Company 2
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Posted on June 16th, 2010 by
OWEN WRITES: Hi, Gamerdad I’m 13-years old and I was wondering whether you think Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is suitable for someone my age. It’s rated M for Blood, Strong Language and Violence. My parents don’t care about language and it’s rated 16 by PEGI, an equivalent to T in Europe. Thanks!
Happy Father’s Day! Cary’s Toy Stories
Posted on June 16th, 2010 by
I know that most gamers’ minds are filled with news and anticipations about E3 right now. But it’s more important not to forget what special day happens right after E3. That’s right, Father’s Day! Last year around Father’s Day, I listed video games my dad likes on my blog. So, this year I decided to take a different approach to my Father’s Day blog. This weekend, I’m going to take my dad and the rest of his family to see Toy Story 3 (since I have five little brothers on my dad’s side, that’ll be an expensive outing, but it’s worth it to do something fun with them). I’m really excited about seeing the movie with my family, so in honor of that, this blog is all about my top five favorite toys from my childhood. And each one is associated with my dad somehow.
Piracy Relativism
Posted on June 14th, 2010 by
Piracy is rampant in our culture as digital copies of everything are just a download away (if you know how to find them). I’ve written on this subject many times since 1998. Since the “problem” is now worse than ever before, and since I actually think “piracy” is GOOD for media companies, I thought I’d set these thoughts to blog. Maybe start an argument or at least get people thinking about it differently. Though it may seem otherwise by the time you get to the end of the article I want it clear that GamerDad DOES NOT endorse piracy. That said, here’s why it’s a GOOD thing:
It’s Official: I’m Developing Nintendo Games Now!
Posted on June 12th, 2010 by
WarioWare, as most Nintendo fans know, is a series of games that require you to beat small, three-second micro-games in rapid succession. Each title has plenty of innovative and quirky gameplay. The latest in the series, WarioWare D.I.Y., lets you design your own three-second mini-games and share them with the world. You can read more about WarioWare D.I.Y. in an earlier article I wrote here. Anyway, Nintendo has contests where they’ll feature themed games every so often. So guess who got one of his games featured recently? That’s right, me! Read on for an in-depth review of my ‘award-winning’ game “Feed a kitty!”
Cary Woodham, Video Game Designer
Posted on June 11th, 2010 by
Really cool news: I’ll let Cary Woodham explain it with his characteristic enthusiasm: CARY: I just had to tell you this. On WarioWare D.I.Y. they had a contest to make creature themed games. I made a game where you have to feed a kitty some nutritious Meow Power brand cat food to make it all strong and buff, and not feed it the Fatty Cat brand, or else it will get fat!
more…
Ridiculous: Apple & Ulysses
Posted on June 10th, 2010 by
Ok, this is really good, we all know Apple has banned any porn or even Playboy-style nudity on their devices despite the fact that those things would: 1) require purchase. 2) exist on a device primarily owned by grown-ups. They have this right, even if I find it disturbing. Why disturbing? Because these things tend to get ridiculously absurd pretty fast. How fast? Apple has banned an App it’s been selling that’s an adaptation of Joyce’s Ulysses, which was itself banned some 60 years ago for “being obscene.” And why this comic book? A single panel showing a nude man leaping into the water. He has an abstract and flaccid penis. And yes, I’m posting the picture inside: Article UPDATED!
Pac-Man’s 30th Anniversary Celebration: Cary’s Favorite Pac-Games
Posted on June 9th, 2010 by
This year marks Pac-Man’s 30th Anniversary, but aside from Google making a playable Pac-Man logo game earlier (which was awesome), I haven’t heard about any other celebrations from Namco. Hopefully we’ll hear something about it at E3. I’ve read rumors about the creator of Sonic working on a Pac-Man 3-D platformer, and rumblings on a new Pac-Game called Pac-Man Rebirth, but nothing officially confirmed by Namco. So I decided to take it upon myself to celebrate Pac-Man’s 30th with a (possible) series of blogs.
100 Classic Books – DS
Posted on June 9th, 2010 by
Reading on a screen never really took off until Amazon released their Kindle, and quickly created a new book market based on convenience, a cheaper price point and the idea that you can now put something else on your bookshelves. I’m an avid reader, so I liked that last part. I’ve read maybe 20 books on my iPhone then iPad and that’s just one year. These things add up and cause clutter. Still, a Kindle, Nook, iPad or iPhone/Pod Touch is an expensive option for onscreen reading. That’s why I’m so impressed that Nintendo has been forward thinking enough to put out 100 Classic Books for their ubiquitous handheld. All on a single cartridge. Article UPDATED 6/10.
Piracy Thoughts
Posted on June 8th, 2010 by
I thought I’d throw this out there. A friend recently got up on a high horse, looked down from on-high and said that media piracy is immoral because you’re depriving the creator of income. As a content provider, I like his thinking (even though I actually believe piracy ultimately sells more content than it cannibalizes and that piracy protection causes more piracy than they think) but the guy is a hypocrite. Sure, he doesn’t illegally pirate but he – and maybe YOU – are denying the creators of income all the time! Here’s a few thoughts on how you’re doing it and how it being legal doesn’t make any difference to the authors, producers, musicians etc., you’re “ripping off.”
6/8/10
Posted on June 8th, 2010 by
GamerGirl (10) is still loving the heck out of the Sims 3 on the Mac, GamerBoy is pretty much ONLY playing Super Mario Galaxy 2 and I’ve finished Red Dead Redemption and am about 2/3rds of the way through Alan Wake. My iPad love is growing by the moment and I have a few more apps to speak of — oh and an update on my little (and shrinking) book. First, let me bore you with the book.
