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Tag: gaming

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Family Tech Update: What is IGTV? Facebook Messenger Kids wants to teach your kids kindness. What was up with the rocket launch in FORTNITE? Will eSports ever be in the Olympics?

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July 13, 2018
What the Heck Was Up With That Fortnite Rocket Launch?

One of the great things about video games is the fact that you can decide to play on your own schedule. Your kids can play when you say it’s ok and you can manage their screen time easier that way. The days of live TV are all but completely behind us as well since we can stream shows we love and record live TV for playback later. Fortnite, in another attempt at mega-hype, has put a bit of a wrench in the convenience of gaming as entertainment. The live rocket launch last weekend gave Fortnite players all a reason to be in-game, and likely forsake everything else.

The rocket launch was actually quite a feat of development for Epic Games as the launch was done live, simultaneously in every game that was running at the scheduled time. The rocket blasted off from a designated area and shuttled into the sky, blowing it’s first fuel tanks in an awe-inspiring explosion. Then the ship busted through the atmosphere, basically breaking the sky into pieces and causing quite the firework show. Finally, there were several more blasts as the shuttle rocketed in and out of the atmosphere and crashed on the game map, where it still sits for future games.

You can find videos of the occasion all over YouTube and see for yourself. The coolest part was that in most games players refrained from battling each other, exchanging emotes (dance moves and funny pantomime) until after the launch was successful. There is debate among players as to what the launch means for the game as some believe it’s a way for Epic Games to add new content and keep it a part of the minimal storyline and lore of the game. What isn’t in question, in my opinion, is the fact that many kids forsake anything they could have been doing that night to log on and see the launch for themselves.

Ok, Fine. Here’s What I Think About Fortnite

What Parents Should Know

Moms and dad that I have spoken with already have trouble understanding the time it takes to play a round of Fortnite. Mostly because it depends largely on how well you play. Obviously, if you die early your game ends early but you can just jump in and join a new one. If you make it a long time the round can take anywhere between thirty and forty minutes, again depending on the skills of the players. This causes parents to have trouble setting time limits and bedtimes for their younger kids. If they are supposed to turn it off at 10 pm but start a round at 9:45 there is no way they are going to give up half way through to go to bed. There is also the added issue of “squad mode” in which you play with your friends and try to win together as a team. If you’re not going to give up on a solo round the idea of bailing on your friends during a squad battle is absurd. As if this wasn’t enough for parents to have to wrap their minds around, Fortnite has now added live events to the game.

To my knowledge, there haven’t been any announcements on future live event dates but this one was so successful and created such a buzz that they are sure to do it again. As Fortnite players become familiar with the game they learn that it follows seasons that change over to include new updates (like some of the possibilities that this rocket launch could mean) and features. They are sure to want to get in on the action as soon as the July 12 season rollover hits, especially now that there is a supposed “dimensional rift” in the sky. When these live events come around, your kids are going to want to be a part of them. They may even consider it worth arguing with you about if you try and tell them they can’t play during the event.

My advice is to take it easy on them and remember how important it was to you to be able to wake up and see the next episode of your favorite cartoon on Saturday morning. Or how frustrated you may get if you have to miss the baseball game or soccer match next weekend because of some family obligation. Your kids see the events in their games in the same way. Yes, they can watch it later but they’ll argue that that is not the same. Obviously if something is going on that can’t be missed (i.e. a wedding, funeral, family reunion) you have an opportunity to teach them a lesson about priorities but if you’re just concerned about their screen time, encourage them to spend less time earlier in the week so they can be sure to have a reserve for logging on during the event. Or have them do extra chores or earn the extra time in another way.

My point is that you should give your son or daughter the freedom to decide that something like a rocket launch in their favorite video game is worth making a priority while continuing to guide them to smart and healthy decisions about their screen time. Was the launch cool? Absolutely. Was it a major feat in game development and hosting? Totally! Will your kid be scarred for life if they missed it? Probably not, but if they have the opportunity to be a part of it, why not let them take that chance?

July 2, 2018
A.R.K. Survival Evolved Mobile Lets You Ride Dinos and Fight Other Cavepeople Online

A.R.K. Survival Evolved is a PC survival game that has come to iOS and Android for free. In the game, you are dropped onto a jungle island full of dinosaurs, plants, resources, and even other players. You have to explore, scavenge, craft, and hunt to survive. You can build shelters and even tame dinos and other animals to serve as your mighty steeds. The game was wildly popular when it released last year on computer and has climbed the charts on iOS to be in the top five in only four days since release.

What Parents Should Know

A.R.K. is rated 12 + for violence and “fear themes.” The violence in the game is mostly committed against animals and dinosaurs for self-defense or hunting. There is a vs multiplayer mode in which you can play against up to 60 players from all over the world. Remember that online multiplayer modes are never rated because the content changes depending on how the users behave.

This game also has ads and features in-app purchases. You can pay to have the ads removed or purchase resources to speed up your development in the game. This game is “free to play” but is considered a “freemium” game. If you haven’t turned off in-app purchases on your devices, this game is they type that will make you want to do so immediately. It doesn’t take long to realize that by spending a few bucks you can advance in the game much faster. It is easier for kids to spend those bucks when they belong to mom and dad.

A.R.K. isn’t a horrible game, I recommended it before your typical first-person shooter or battle royale game. The violence is mostly not committed against other humans and there are a real story and survival element involved in the game. There are even dinosaurs and animals that you can be kind to and tame instead of just killing everything in site. If your children meet the age recommendation for the game and you feel like you can manage the amount of time they spend playing (survival games have a way of making you spend a ton of time playing without realizing it) then A.R.K. is a pretty fun option.

June 18, 2018
Fortnite is Available to Play Now on Nintendo Switch

At E3, today, Nintendo announced that the extremely popular battle royale game, Fortnite, is available to play on their latest console, the Switch. Fortnite is an online multiplayer battle royale game that rushed onto the scene several months ago and broke all kinds of records. The game is free to play on PS4, XBox, Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and now on Nintendo Switch as well. There are some limitations, however, as PS4 won’t allow you to play online with players who use other consoles or computers to play. Also, Nintendo says they will be using a pay model for their online gaming platform beginning in September, whether or not Fortnite will fall into the pay to play category at that time remains to be seen.

What Parents Should Know

I wrote an extensive article about my thoughts on Fortnite. If your kids enjoy playing the game and have a Nintendo switch then they will likely ask to download it for their console very soon. Nintendo announced that it’s available now so be sure to keep an eye on what your kids are playing and installing and who they are playing with. Fortnite keeps pretty well with Nintendo’s seemingly family-friendly nature since the game is rating T for Teen and not M for Mature. While some Mature games are available on the Switch, most of the games produced for the console are rated T or below. Just keep in mind that multiplayer gaming is officially unrated and that Fortnite is famous because of the ability to play online with other players.

June 12, 2018
YouTube Adds Reminders to Take a Break from Your Screen

Software and web developers are getting serious about the time well-spent movement. The focus on taking breaks from our screens is more and more popular and even Youtube is getting in on the trend. Their latest update includes the ability to opt-in to reminders to take a break from watching videos in the app. iOS and Android users can turn on and set the frequency of break reminders that will interrupt your viewing and remind you that you should take a break.

This feature is currently only available on the iPhone and Android app. There isn’t any information whether it is going to be rolled out to the website, smart TVs, or other streaming TV devices.

What Parents Should Know

This is a good idea and hopefully, it will trickle down to YouTube Kids soon. I always tell parents to be the example for their kids. If mom and dad are on their screens constantly then it doesn’t do much good to preach healthy screen time limits in your home. YouTube’s break reminders can be a good way to manage your own healthy screen habits so that you’re setting a better example.

Psychologists are recommending that our kids spend less time on screens and more time outside. They’ve even coined the phrase, “Green Time,” stating that kids are spending so little time outside that their development is being stunted. Use whatever tools you can find, whether it’s a built-in reminder like YouTube is offering or a separate software like unGlue to monitor and limit screen time. Build healthy habits now that will last a lifetime.

May 18, 2018
Fortnite is Free; and also the Highest Grossing Game on iOS

Freemium games aren’t new and there is a reason that that category has graced the top of the charts on iOS for a long time now. Fortnite: Battle Royale, however, has rushed into the Freemium Game Revenue lead, making $15 million in the first three weeks since launch. The game, in which you fight it out against 99 other players to be the last man/team standing, is free to download on iPhone. You don’t buy items to increase your skills or character’s strength, you just buy costumes and dance moves. Obviously, the lack of game-changing in-app purchases hasn’t hurt the bottom line for Epic Game’s wildly popular third-person shooter and crafting game.

SensorTower.com

What Parents Should Know

For my thoughts on shooter games and kids, you can read my game reviews and listen to this BecauseFamily Podcast episode. As far as in-app purchases go, it is up to you. You should know how to set up your kids’ devices to not allow purchases without approval. Failure to set this up will likely lead to surprise expenses as the temptation for that new dinosaur hat or “Carlton” dance moves becomes too great for your kid to withstand.

My advice is for you to talk to your kids about the time they spend playing games on their devices. Make sure you have an understanding of what a healthy amount of time on devices looks like. Also be sure that you have your credit card settings secured to keep unwanted purchases from surprising you next month. Again, talk to your kids about spending your money on the games they play. I agree that these developers deserve every dollar they make from their games. I also strongly believe that if a kid is underage, it is up to the parents to regulate whether or not their child can spend money on their favorite games. That is up to you as mom or dad.

April 9, 2018
Parent Guide: Farcry 5

Farcry 5 S.A.F.E. Rating

Violence: 1 out of 5
Language: 1 out of 5
Sexual Content: 3 out of 5 (so far)
Positive Message: 2 out of 5

Total: 7 out of 20 = Adults Only!

The Game

The Farcry series is known to feature regular people type characters who are put in extraordinary situations and forced to fight their way out. Players try their hand at fighting crime lords, warlords, and drug cartels. In Farcry 5 you’re a sheriff deputy who is trying to overthrow a cult in the mountains of Montana. You team up with locals, wildlife, and even secret agents to eliminate the influence of “The Father,” a man who considers himself the spiritual leader of an entire group of religious followers.

This game is set in an open world. There is a storyline but it isn’t linear, it unfolds as you explore different areas of the game. You can go around doing whatever you want, liberating outposts, saving citizens, hunting and fishing, all the while increasing your influence over the region through something called “resistance points.” These points allow you to unlock new areas and items and eventually lead you to your final showdown with the leader of the cult. The story of Farcry 5 is very interesting and well told. It is, however, a bit on the anti-religious side, albeit so extreme that it is hard to view it as a serious commentary on religion. The cult is very extreme and a caricature of anything it may be trying to actually represent. I wouldn’t take seriously any complaints about this game being anti-christian or anti-religion.

Violence: (1)

This game features extreme violence right from the start. You are attacking enemies with a large collection of different weapons. Melee, explosives, firearms, vehicles, and even animals can be used to take out your enemies. You can choose to use stealth to eliminate your enemies or you can go in guns and dynamite blazing and take ’em all out that way. The worst violence in the game takes place during the cinematic cut scenes. There are executions, eye gouging, and self harm/mutilation featured in the cinematic scenes that drive the story. The violence is used to show the extremity of the cult you are up against and it begins with the first cut scene at the beginning of the game.

Farcry 5 scores a 1 for violence meaning it’s meant for Adults.

Language: (1)

Farcry 5 has multiple uses of every word imaginable right from the very beginning. It is rated M for Mature because of language and it is obvious early on in the game play.

Farcry 5 scores a 1 for Language meaning it’s meant for Adults.

Sexual:

So far in my current, incomplete, walkthrough of Farcry 5 there isn’t any sexual content. The rating of the games mentions sexual themes but I haven’t seen it yet. I will update this post on this topic once my walkthrough has completed.

Farcry 5 scores a 3 (so far) for sexual content meaning it depends on your child.

Message:

Like most 1st person shooter games, Farcry 5 puts you in a position where your only option is to pick up a machine gun and start mowing people over. As mentioned before, this game is full of scripture and even some reimagining of some old church songs. They are used in a context that features the cult in a negative way. There is no positive message in this game, except maybe that you shouldn’t join a violent cult. The themes of this game are very grown up and explore what happens when people give themselves blindly to someone like “The Father.”

Farcry 5 scores a 2 for message meaning it contains very mature themes.

Final Thoughts

Farcry 5 isn’t meant for your 15 year old son. It’s a game made by adults for adults. It features very adult themes and content and doesn’t apologize for the gruesomeness of the violence or the complexity of the story. While there isn’t any sexual content that I’m aware of, it still ranks very low as far as its playability for even some older teens. I recommend keeping informed on the content of this game and know if your kids are playing it. Many kids will ask for it and some will get to buy it because their parents don’t know what the game consists of. My advice is that you share this review with other parents and let them know what content the game their kid is asking for contains.

March 27, 2018
The “Grown Up Fortnite,” PUBG, is Now FREE on iOS and Android

If your kid doesn’t play Fortnite, they’ve asked if they can. It’s a battle royale game that combines the third person shooter genre with crafting and resource gathering. You parachute onto an island and battle against 99 other players to the last man. Along the way, you collect resources, weapons, and armor. You use your resources to craft walls, towers, and such to help you fight against other players. Fortnite is made with cartoon style graphics and no blood or gore. You do, however, play against or with players online from all over the world.

Player Unknown’s Battleground started the battle royale genre hype. It follows the same model as Fortnite, minus the crafting and resource collection. The biggest difference, however, is the realism. While it still plays like a game, it is a third person shooter with plenty of violence and blood. You don’t build and craft, you just run around avoiding enemies until you have to battle it out. Then, the choice is to kill or be killed. The game wasn’t made for young kids. It is now available for free in mobile app stores so more kids can have access to it.

CHECK OUT: Podcast – Boys and Video Game Addictions

What Parents Should Know

My advice is to use something like Family Share or Android FamilyLink (if available) to keep an eye on what apps your kids are downloading. I’m not one to say that kids playing violent video games will immediately lead to them committing violence themselves, but I do know that there are psychological effects on young boys who experience the intensity of simulated battle while their brains are developing. I recommend not allowing your kids to download this app. Fortnite is questionable, but to me, PUBG is a definite no.

March 20, 2018
Parent Guide: StarWars Battlefront 2 (Story Mode)

StarWars Battlefront 2 S.A.F.E. Rating

Violence: 3 out of 5
Language: 4 out of 5
Sexual Content: 5 out of 5
Positive Message: 4 out of 5

Total: 16 out of 20 = Older Kid Friendly!

**This review is for the story mode of StarWars Battlefront 2. Multiplayer content can vary due to downloadable, upgradable, and user-generated content.

The Game

Battlefront 2 is the first in the series to have a story mode. The game contains story elements that are considered “canon” for the overall StarWars story. This makes it an even more appealing feature for this game and the good news is that the story is actually pretty interesting. You follow a couple of characters who were raised and trained in the Empire and have some second thoughts about their loyalty to the Emperor and his followers after events following the battle of Endor. The story takes you through playing as several characters including a Jedi and a Sith Lord. You also get to fly several ships and pilot a few vehicles. The game is still obviously designed for the massively multiplayer online battles and the campaign is designed to highlight all of the online features. If feels very much like a Battlefront game and seems to have a lot of replayability.

Violence/Gore (3)

This is ultimately a war game so you find yourself in constant combat. The violence is everpresent with shooting, lightsaber battling, electrocuting, and explosions. There is, however, very little to no gore in the game. Lazer bolts and lightsabers don’t cause you to bleed and if you use grenades, rockets, or vehicles to blow up your enemies they just fly around from the shock of the explosion. There is no loss of limbs or severe damage shown. You can’t go into a StarWars title and not expect to see some violence but this game contains combat of the PG to PG-13 variety, no more than any StarWars film.

Language (4)

There is no adult language in Battlefront 2. I will repeat here, however, that that fact changes greatly when you join multiplayer battles and those you’re playing with have microphones. Then, though, the language isn’t coming from the game, but from the people you are playing with.

Sexual Content (5)

The story mode of Battlefront 2 had no sexual innuendo or content at all. There is one kiss but it isn’t graphic or adult oriented in any way.

Positive Message (4)

As with any StarWars story, the message of Battlefront 2 one is hope and redemption. The rebellion is trying to bring freedom to the galaxy and the Empire is doing everything they can to keep their grip around the galaxy. The main characters are trying to be redeemed from a lifetime of fighting for an Empire they no longer believe in. The reason this game doesn’t get a 5 for Message is that, again, just as in many StarWars titles, the bad guys are super cool in BattleFront 2. It is fun to wield the red lightsabers and the dark side force powers. I obviously don’t believe playing StarWars Battlefront 2 will cause kids to want to turn to the “dark” side but I will say that there is a bit of glory given to those who are on the “bad” side of this story. Good vs Evil can get complicated, especially in real life, StarWars has always kept it pretty clear who is who. Battlefront 2 keeps that tradition alive.

Final Thoughts

I have played the Battlefront games for years. It is pretty cool to see them adding a story to the game since StarWars stories tend to be so interesting and inspiring. If your kid(s) has asked you for Battlefront 2 for Christmas it’s important to keep a couple things in mind. First of all, this game, while the violence isn’t brutal and gory, is still a first-person shooter. The risk of attention and anxiety problems in young men increases with more time spend playing FPS games. Secondly, this game has been marred by a bad reputation for getting players to spend money in order to excel in the game. EA, the publisher of Battlefront 2, has had to revamp a lot about how they do microtransactions and upgradable content and characters because players have been complaining and boycotting the game. No matter which side of the fence you or I sit on spending money to buy things in a game you already paid $60 to play in the first place, your children are being marketed to within this game. You, as a parent, need to be aware of that.

December 5, 2017
Parents Guide: Assassin’s Creed Origins

Assassin’s Creed Origins S.A.F.E. Rating

Violence: 2 out of 5
Language: 3 out of 5
Sexual Content: 2 out of 5
Positive Message: 2 out of 5

Total: 9 out of 20 = Recommended for Adults Only!

The Game

Assassin’s Creed Origins is the 11th game in the Assassin’s creed series. The game is set in ancient Egypt around the time of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Like other Assassin’s Creed games, Origins is set in a historical alternate timeline in which your character is changing the course of history by completing your missions. The story is complicated because it is also set in modern/near future timeline. In this timeline, you are a researcher who is using the DNA of a historical figure to move into the past and become an assassin. The multiple timelines and characters make for an interesting, while at times confusing, story. In Origin’s you’re working to take out a secret society who is behind the dark times your country is experiencing. Eventually, you make your way to Rome and take part in one of the largest Assassinations in history. If you’re a fan of history, Assassin’s Creed games are interesting even though they’re obviously based in fiction. The setting and politics of the story are well crafted and keep your attention well. Origins is an open world game which means you have multiple missions all over the game world that you can complete outside of the main story. This lends itself to replayability beyond “beating” the game.

Assassin’s Creed isn’t the best game I’ve seen, the controls seem heavy and the combat is a bit “clunky” but it is interesting and seems to be what Assassin’s Creed fans want out of a game in the series.

Violence/Gore (2)

You take the role of an assassin in this game so obviously, violence is a major part of the gameplay. You kill people in multiple ways including bows, swords, axes, blunt force weapons, and even ships. There is a stealth element to the game that is meant to reward the player by giving them multiple ways to kill their foe quietly. There is a lot of blood involved in every assassination and some beheadings and slit throats as well during cinematics. Your violence is celebrated and is, in fact, considered the goal of every mission of the game. Killing is, after all, the job of an assassin.

Language (3)

The language is interesting in this game. Words that would be considered “adult” are used in some of the dialog but they are often (not always) spoken in Egyptian or Latin. The translation is shown in the subtitles, however. In the modern day/near future timeline there is adult language throughout including F—, Sh–, D—, and H—.

Sexual Content (2)

While the main characters’ sexual encounters are treated as PG or PG-13 there are multiple instances of nudity and even sexual situations. Many of the village women are topless and bare breasts are shown while you’re just riding your horse around the game map. One mission takes you to a brothel in which you see many topless women and even a couple in a sexual situation. They are in the background and not the focus of the mission but what they are doing is very obvious. Cleopatra has women dancing for her, some are topless, and she speaks to men about spending the night with her and being killed the next day telling them that it would be “well worth it.”

Positive Message (2)

Assassination is literally the name of the game here. The goal is to kill and do it creatively and effectively. Murdering person after person in a video game has a way of getting satisfying. I believe this is a cause for concern. Especially for younger audiences.

The only reason this doesn’t receive a 1 out of 5 for the positive message is that there isn’t much question that those you’re killing are the worst of the worst and those who work for them. Also, there is a focus on a couple of female characters in this game that I am glad to see. They are portrayed as powerful and passionate and even their costumes are tasteful and make sense. They aren’t just in the game to be eye candy. They play major roles in the story and they are fun to play as.

Final Thoughts

I recommend that this game is reserved for those over the age of 17, just like the rating says. Blood and gore, drugs/alcohol, violence, nudity, language, and sexual content all make the highlights list and for good reason. The playthrough I watched exhibited multiple examples of each of these themes and they are presented in ways that are very much geared towards an adult audience. When your 13-year-old asks for an Assassin’s Creed game for Christmas, this is what he is wanting. Maybe redirect him to something a bit more age appropriate.

November 29, 2017