This weeks guest on Digital Families is Alex Kidman an Australian freelance technology journalist and co-host of Vertical Hold: Behind The Tech News, a weekly technology podcast with Adam Turner.
Alex also writes about video games for various publications, and today I’m going to be asking his advice on behalf of parents about family video gaming. https://www.alexkidman.com Find Alex on Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/alexkidmanjourno/
Many parents think video gaming or eGaming as its often called, is a complete waste of time…and sometimes it may be just entertainment which is fine of course. But gaming can also be a great way for families to have fun together.
In this episode, Alex and I discuss the types of games parents might want to try out with their family and how to manage gaming in the family environment particularly in light of the amount of time all of us are now inside.
We talk about the benefits of gaming and some very practical aspects of keeping things balanced as well. The costs, and how to avoid getting stung with in-app purchases and also keeping your child safe whilst playing online games like Minecraft, Fortnite or Roblox.
[podcast_subscribe id=”11372″]
Games!
Below is some links to the games and resources Alex and I discuss during this chat about Family Gaming. The age ratings below are general and based on Commonsense Media’s ratings.
Family suitable games:
Moving out (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) Age rating 8+
Untitled Goose Game (Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC) Age Rating 8+
Monument Valley PG Mobile Game Play on iPad for best visuals Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/monument-valley
“The Room” rated 9+ Mobile and PC Puzzle game, a bit spooky Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/the-room
Dear Esther – walking simulator game. Spooky and weird. Mature Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/dear-esther
Firewatch 15+ Mature only Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/firewatch
Journey (PS4/PC) age10+ Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/journey https://store.steampowered.com/app/638230/Journey/
Nintendo Labo (Switch) Age Rating 8+ Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/nintendo-labo-toy-con-vr-kit
Overcooked/Overcooked 2 (first can be had quite cheap these days) (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch) Age 8+ Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/overcooked
Super Mario Maker 2 (Switch) Age rating 6+ Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/super-mario-maker-2
Stardew Valley (Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS, Android) Age rating 10+ Commonsense Media review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/stardew-valley
Ring Fit Adventure (Switch) Age rating 10+ Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/ring-fit-adventure
Samarost 3 PG beautiful game with a little elf who goes adventuring. Mobile and PC Age Rating 10+ Commonsense Media Review: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/samorost-3 https://amanita-design.net/games/samorost3.html
Lifeless Planet 12+ 2014 https://store.steampowered.com/app/261530/Lifeless_Planet_Premier_Edition/ Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/lifeless-planet-premiere-edition
Portal and Portal 2 12+ Sci Fi Puzzle Channel Adventure game PC game 2007 https://store.steampowered.com/app/400/Portal/ Commonsense Media Review https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/portal
[email-subscribers-form id=”1″]