Smartphones and tablets have brought a whole new set of tools to game developers. It’s critical that you, as a parent, understand some of the language used in the descriptions of these games. Since you know your kids you’re the only one that can decide if a certain game is dangerous for your child or not. For instance, our oldest is pretty analytical and has an addictive personality. Because of these traits we are very careful how much time he has in front of a screen, especially in un-controlled, purely recreational activity. We know that he can get obsessive very quickly so we have some pretty strict boundaries on his screen time. Hopefully the following terms (the first three of six gaming terms) will help you better understand some game descriptions so you can pick the right ones for your kids.
MMO
Massively Multiplayer Online games are able to support a very large number of players in the same game world at the same time. The MMO gives opportunity to compete with and against people all over the world which means interacting with these people. The most common game genres that utilise the MMO format are first person shooters, turn based and real-time strategies, and RPGs (see below.)
What Parents Should Know about MMOs
MMOs are not new. People have been playing Multiplayer Online games for a while now. The thing parents should really keep in mind, though, is that there are now more people playing them than ever. These types of games are available on PC/Mac, console (Xbox or Playstation), smartphones, and tablets. Your children can very easily download and play an MMO and be connected to other gamers all over the internet. If your kid is playing XBox or PC with a headset on then they are talking to someone on the other end while they play games with them. Often, you can set it up to only allow them to play with friends or family but most parents don’t know how to do that and most kids don’t want to teach them.
If your kid plays Clash of Clans or Boom Beach, they’re playing an MMO and there is a chat feature with a public chatroom in which they can talk to anyone who connects from anywhere in the world. I’m not saying MMOs are dangerous but it’s important for you to know what they are and what it means when your children are connected to one.
MMORPG
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games combine the connectivity and competitiveness of an MMO with the immersion of a role-playing game, in which players create a character who “levels up” and earns new traits, abilities, weapons, and gear to help the player as they face more and more difficult enemies.
One of the most popular and successful MMORPGs to date has been World Of Warcraft. Often based on monthly subscriptions, these games are popular because of developer’s continued addition of new features to their games and because of the ability to completely take on and customize the identity of your “avatar.” Even to the point that some players have romantic relationships with each-other and even get married “in-game.”
What Parents Should Know About MMORPGs
While the same possible issues that apply to your regular MMO apply here, you also have the added problem of that addicting and immersive RPG element. People can get so into MMORPGs that they neglect much of their real life. Visit this google search about MMORPG addiction and you’ll see marriages broken, totally healthy people ending up with chronic health issues, and too much more. Our kids can spend too much time doing stuff that doesn’t matter. Whether they’re playing games on a console, a phone, or a computer, you have to be sure they’re not so into what they are playing that they neglect other, more important things.
Monetization
Monetization is the process of gaining financial benefit from the game, app, or software a developer has produced. Obviously game developers aren’t just making games for fun. They have the need and desire to be compensated for their efforts. I have game developer friends who get frustrated with the culture we live in where people will “pay four dollars for a burnt coffee but balk at spending 99 cents on a game that took me three years to develop.” Developers have to make their money so they can continue to make games and support their families and lifestyles but what risks can this bring into our homes?
What Parents Should Know About Monetization
Most of the time video game monetization is pretty up front and obvious. The most obvious is the model of paying to download an app. You’ll see games in app stores for anything from 99 cents all the way to 12 or 15 bucks. Some of these games have gotten deep and very fun to play and the prices are reflecting that. Parents should understand how to monitor what their kids are paying for in the app store. While buying a game or app your child likes or that is beneficial to them (something educational, perhaps) is good, you have to be careful that your kids can’t just purchase and download apps at will. This can lead to some pretty hefty credit card bills.
While we will spend some time in the part two of these gaming posts on Free to Play and Freemium apps I have to insert here that those are whole new level when it comes to spending money on an app. In app purchases are something that caught parents off guard not long ago and you should password protect your accounts so your children can’t just buy whatever they want.
Gaming Part 1
Now you have a basic knowledge of a few of the most common terms in gaming, mobile or otherwise. Hopefully armed with this new understanding you can help your kids make quality decisions with how they spend their time online and in front of a screen. Tomorrow we will talk about messaging terms you need to know so be sure to check back in.