"Mom, can we get this new game for my PSP? It's totally awesome; I played it at Justin's house and it was so cool? Please oh please??"
Does that scenario sound at all familiar? You are in the mall, in Toys 'R Us or your local big box retailer and your previously sullen and mopey pre-teen child has suddenly sprung to life. Depending on your personal view about spending money on new game titles when it's not a birthday or gift-giving holiday, let's just assume that it's not the money you are concerned about. It's trying to know whether or not the new game is appropriate for your family environment and your child's age and maturity. Are you going to get this new game home and suddenly realize it has foul language or excessive violence? As the song in "Enchanted" says, "how do you know?"
Despite the widely recognized value of the ESRB ratings, most parents fail to understand their meaning or to use them consistently. And even the valuable ratings don't provide enough information at the point of purchase to truly empower the parent. That's why I want you to know about some great resources from GamerDad, Andrew Bub, who has been writing about games and kids for over 4 years. He hosts some excellent gaming parent websites, like http://www.gamerdad.com/; where you can read a new game review each weekday or participate in the community forum. Also, the site I found him on, http://www.whattheyplay.com/, which is perfect for looking up a particular title and getting a detailed review, from a parent's perspective.
What's truly great about these sites is that they are written from a pro-gamer perspective. You won't find here the ranting paranoia of certain sectors that insist all games are bad. However, there is recognition that some games are not appropriate for younger children, or that some titles are too easy to keep your child's attention long. A recent question from a parent was about how to select game titles for their 15 year old with Down's Syndrome. Parents in the community with similarly abled children posted their own recommendations - what a great service!
OK, so the next time your child mentions a new game they simply have to have, visit whattheyplay.com (with or without your child) and read the review. And then, make sure once you purchase a new title that you sit with your child, and ask about the game. Watch them play and have them show you how the game works. It's a fantastic bonding opportunity, whether you pick up the remote or not.
Happy Gaming!