What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

[DaveDQ]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I can think of many things that help me connect better to my three kids than videogames. Books, music, sports, church, family dinners, family gatherings, board games, card games, etc., etc.

The last thing I want to do is encourage my kids to sit in front of a TV all day, staring into a screen and playing games. Any wonder why child obesity is an epidemic in the U.S.? It's pretty sad that we see more kids -- usually fat -- slobbering all over the video game section at major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target than we see in the bicycle or sporting goods section these days.

I'm sure I'm in the minority with this belief, though, as we live in an era in which the TV is an entertainer and a babysitter. To each their own, and best of luck to all parents.

Take care,
PK

What would I choose, a game of catch or a videogame with my boys? A game of catch everytime. However, how fun would it be to play a sports game with my son via a videogame and just have fun joking with him, being interested in the same thing he is.

It's all done in moderation.

My sons will have videogames, but they will have a sandbox first. A next-gen sandbox at that!

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

What would I choose, a game of catch or a videogame with my boys? A game of catch everytime. However, how fun would it be to play a sports game with my son via a videogame and just have fun joking with him, being interested in the same thing he is.

It's all done in moderation.

My sons will have videogames, but they will have a sandbox first. A next-gen sandbox at that!

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

I realize that you relish the role of "forum contrarian" on OS, but I think you went a little off point here....

I don't relish any role here, because I have no role other than a regular poster.

As someone who obviously has a passion about gaming (otherwise I would assume you wouldn't make many of the statements you do about the next-gen consoles) I'm certain that you yourself have spent at least a decent portion of your leisure time in the last 20 years playing games...and possibly even benefited....and if you have 3 kids at home I'm assuming that you have probably even involved them in your passion from time to time....that doesn't mean you discourage them from participating in sports, playing games, reading, having dinner with the family, etc...it just means you have found another level to interact with them on...and that isn't a bad thing.

Have I benefited? Yeah, it's been fun. But there's no question those hours would have been better spent working out more or reading more.

Video games are like junk food. Pleasurable, addictive, comfortable and not very conducive to overall health if they're the staple of your diet.

My kids are 8, 6 and 1, and I can count on one hand the number of hours they have played video games on a console or handheld. It's something I do after they go to bed, as I don't want them to become addicts and find they can develop their problem-solving skills, athletic skills and minds better through other activities than gaming.

That said, I just bought a DS Lite, and my kids are enjoying Brain Age. That's a video game to which I have no problem introducing my kids. I'm also showing them Clubhouse Games, as there are card games they're learning there that they can play for life, with a gaming system or -- gasp! -- a good, old-fashioned deck of cards. Chess and backgammon also are good in that way on Clubhouse Games.

But to think there are 6- and 8-year-olds out there playing shooters or hours of Madden on end, that nauseates me. And you and I know it happens.

Take care,
PK

[CaptainZombie]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

That said, I just bought a DS Lite, and my kids are enjoying Brain Age. That's a video game to which I have no problem introducing my kids. I'm also showing them Clubhouse Games, as there are card games they're learning there that they can play for life, with a gaming system or -- gasp! -- a good, old-fashioned deck of cards. Chess and backgammon also are good in that way on Clubhouse Games.

Take care,
PK

Are you trying to make gamblers out of your kids introducing them to cards at such a young age?

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Are you trying to make gamblers out of your kids introducing them to cards at such a young age?

Hey, maybe they'll win a Texas Hold 'Em tournament so the old man can afford a 360!

Take care,
PK

[jdros13]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Have I benefited? Yeah, it's been fun. But there's no question those hours would have been better spent working out more or reading more.

Video games are like junk food. Pleasurable, addictive, comfortable and not very conducive to overall health if they're the staple of your diet.

My kids are 8, 6 and 1, and I can count on one hand the number of hours they have played video games on a console or handheld. It's something I do after they go to bed, as I don't want them to become addicts and find they can develop their problem-solving skills, athletic skills and minds better through other activities than gaming.

That said, I just bought a DS Lite, and my kids are enjoying Brain Age. That's a video game to which I have no problem introducing my kids. I'm also showing them Clubhouse Games, as there are card games they're learning there that they can play for life, with a gaming system or -- gasp! -- a good, old-fashioned deck of cards. Chess and backgammon also are good in that way on Clubhouse Games.

But to think there are 6- and 8-year-olds out there playing shooters or hours of Madden on end, that nauseates me. And you and I know it happens.

Take care,
PK

I agree about the shooters and Madden...frankly I am about the furthest thing from a teetotaler you will find, and was disappointed that the F-bomb is dropped frequently during the cutscenes in Gears of War...that was an obvious ploy to seem "cool" to the younger (not supposed to be playing a "M" rated title) crowd and completely unnecessary...and when my son is old enough that he will want to play video games (he's only 1 1/2 right now) I will have to stop playing shooters (which I probably should anyway since they are redundant for the most part) and watch what other games are in the house...as any responsible parent would.

I'm expect that he may be interested in gaming as well though (not if my wife has anything to do with it ) and I'll be able to relate to that...which is nice...I loved going to baseball games with my folks, going on vacations, and all of that, but I think it might have been fun when I got older (10+) and started playing games like Tecmo Bowl and the like, if that had been something I did with my folks once in a while rather than just my friends and little brother....Could there have been a more productive use of my time? Perhaps, but I found great enjoyment in gaming and I'm sure future generations will as well.

[Spongedaddy]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

[quote=jdros13;2758959]I agree about the shooters and Madden...frankly I am about the furthest thing from a teetotaler you will find, and was disappointed that the F-bomb is dropped frequently during the cutscenes in Gears of War...that was an obvious ploy to seem "cool" to the younger (not supposed to be playing a "M" rated title) crowd and completely unnecessary...and when my son is old enough that he will want to play video games (he's only 1 1/2 right now) I will have to stop playing shooters (which I probably should anyway since they are redundant for the most part) and watch what other games are in the house...as any responsible parent would.
quote]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe most soldiers have a colorful vocabulary.

As far as PK's points gaming is no different than any other form of entertainment right now. Some of it is enjoyable for families some of it isn't. The problem isn't video games as much as how we go about dealing with our children in this society. That is a whole other issue, but to say gaming isn't condusive is off the mark. Any thing that gets abused isn't good for us.

I want next-gen to take me to a new level of interactive entertainment. I want to enjoy immersive worlds like I do with a great novel or movie. I consider gaming to be a hobby, so most of all I want to be able to enjoy my hobby.

[pk500]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

As far as PK's points gaming is no different than any other form of entertainment right now. Some of it is enjoyable for families some of it isn't. The problem isn't video games as much as how we go about dealing with our children in this society. That is a whole other issue, but to say gaming isn't condusive is off the mark. Any thing that gets abused isn't good for us.

Good points. But as for gaming being conducive, it's really not. It's a fairly passive medium that doesn't promote fitness unless you're playing something like DDR.

Granted, gaming isn't as much one-way traffic as TV, where you're just a zombie absorbing images. But it's also not as creative as reading, where your mind has to create the pictures described on the page. It's not as creative as playing music, drawing or painting.

Like anything, gaming can be a positive part of a kid's overall life experience. But it also can be abused easily. And since gaming is an extension of TV -- the ultimate babysitter for a lot of parents in this country -- it's easier for it to become an easy crutch for lazy parents and a very addictive, negative force in a kid's life.

It's completely up to the parents and their level of discipline and caring. You're spot-on with that analysis.

Take care,
PK

[Scottdau]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Good points. But as for gaming being conducive, it's really not. It's a fairly passive medium that doesn't promote fitness unless you're playing something like DDR.

Granted, gaming isn't as much one-way traffic as TV, where you're just a zombie absorbing images. But it's also not as creative as reading, where your mind has to create the pictures described on the page. It's not as creative as playing music, drawing or painting.

Like anything, gaming can be a positive part of a kid's overall life experience. But it also can be abused easily. And since gaming is an extension of TV -- the ultimate babysitter for a lot of parents in this country -- it's easier for it to become an easy crutch for lazy parents and a very addictive, negative force in a kid's life.

It's completely up to the parents and their level of discipline and caring. You're spot-on with that analysis.

Take care,
PK

that and being on the Internet! lol It is all time consuming and sure we can do better things with our lives. But right I am content. lol

[jdros13]

Re: What is Nex gen and what are you expecting from it?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe most soldiers have a colorful vocabulary.

I'm sure they do...it was still gratuitous IMO to use it in this format.