Ahmed
BrentonPlaying with matches
October 22nd 2006 10:28
Do you let your children play violent videogames? Do you let your children watch violent movies? Do you let them both the aforementioned or one of them or neither?
It is interesting to note that violent videogames are never nearly as violent as violent movies. A T rated game can sometimes pass off as a PG movie. I suppose what worries people is its interactive nature, instead of seeing someone kill someone you’re pretending to be doing it. But in that regard that would make you sadistic, to enjoy watching people kill each other.
There really is no argument that games will not turn people into violent killers, nor is there any that supports the fact movies will do the same. Not without its exceptions however, there are people who will be influenced by games or movies to carry out crimes, but they are few and far in-between, and to put it within context they usually aren’t mentally stable either.
To that end I bring the purpose of this blog, to deliver news on entertaining games that kids can play. The question is, what can kids play? I think the best, if not only way you can decide is by deciding what kind of movies or media you let them be exposed to.
Would you mind if they saw a violent movie like ‘Once upon a time in Mexico’? If you do well you’ll probably find most games won’t even reach that level. I suppose, its all in the parent’s direction at the end of the day.
I’m going to start talking about more violent games, there’s no need to beat around the bush, they exist and are the majority on the market. You think buying a videogame console like Nintendo’s ‘GameCube’ will mean your child will be safe from those violent games? I suppose you have never heard of ‘Killer 7’ or ‘BMXXX’. Truth is no platform is safe, you may as well know what you're in for when you have promised your child a game but can't find any that are, as we say, non-violent.
It is interesting to note that violent videogames are never nearly as violent as violent movies. A T rated game can sometimes pass off as a PG movie. I suppose what worries people is its interactive nature, instead of seeing someone kill someone you’re pretending to be doing it. But in that regard that would make you sadistic, to enjoy watching people kill each other.
There really is no argument that games will not turn people into violent killers, nor is there any that supports the fact movies will do the same. Not without its exceptions however, there are people who will be influenced by games or movies to carry out crimes, but they are few and far in-between, and to put it within context they usually aren’t mentally stable either.
To that end I bring the purpose of this blog, to deliver news on entertaining games that kids can play. The question is, what can kids play? I think the best, if not only way you can decide is by deciding what kind of movies or media you let them be exposed to.
Would you mind if they saw a violent movie like ‘Once upon a time in Mexico’? If you do well you’ll probably find most games won’t even reach that level. I suppose, its all in the parent’s direction at the end of the day.
I’m going to start talking about more violent games, there’s no need to beat around the bush, they exist and are the majority on the market. You think buying a videogame console like Nintendo’s ‘GameCube’ will mean your child will be safe from those violent games? I suppose you have never heard of ‘Killer 7’ or ‘BMXXX’. Truth is no platform is safe, you may as well know what you're in for when you have promised your child a game but can't find any that are, as we say, non-violent.
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Comment by Anonymous
I credit video games with much of their world knowledge, critical thinking and ability to be creative. Real-life violence bothers them deeply.....they're smart enough to know the difference between a game and reality.
New technology is often feared, but I think most of the fears are unwarranted.
Comment by Anonymous
I credit video games with much of their world knowledge, critical thinking and ability to be creative. Real-life violence bothers them deeply.....they're smart enough to know the difference between a game and reality.
New technology is often feared, but I think most of the fears are unwarranted.
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
Given it presents a virtual (if unreal) world for the player to explore and solve puzzles (depending on the type of game mind you), it can really help build critical thinking skills.
Apparently I (of all people) have too much problem solving skills, I recall back in highschool I always got the last question on the math tests corect, what was odd was I wouldn't do so well on the other questions, the difference? The last question always was about problem solving. I think the only reason I dind't do the others ones well was becuase i was an idiot and played oto many games...
Thanks anon, I'll definatley be writing about this aspect of games soon...
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Interestingly, most of the games he prefers are mind puzzles where he has to go through a serise of complicated tasks - ring the five bells in the right order - to move on. He finds these games far more challenging and takes longer to get bored.
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
Problem is there haven't been many released recently, I'm going to be reviewing some older games that might have been missed.
I have a hankering your child will love 'The Incredible Machine"
Comment by Little Angry Doll
Falling Haiku Leaf
We have a several PC games - Nemo (great) and Sherk 2 (a bit too hard), but we rely mostly on Internet site games. Alex in Danger from Power Puff is the current fav - for the last three days, but children tire of the same format very quickly. Will you be reviewing site games? I'm very interested in them as the boy can navigate his way through games on sites and finds trying out new games more fun than anything else.
There will be either an X-box or Playstation for Christmas. Which one would you recommend to provide the biggest diversity for a 4 year old?
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
PolyKicks
Qwerk
Cinema Three
the gamecube has by and large the largest variation of games, especially for children, given it is home to some classic franchises such as Super Mario sunshine, super mario kart, smash bros melee, Legend of Zelda among countless others. It is also cheaper (yes, you heard right, cheaper) than the ps2 or xbox, graphics wise it is more capable than the ps2, and in terms of build quality it is far superior to both ps2 and xbox.
As for site reviews, yes I do review them and have done that already (once): http://www.videogamerkids.com/all-things-pokemon/
You might also be interested in my latest review: http://www.videogamerkids.com/crazy-machines/