Posted by dkidwell on March 16th, 2006 — Posted in World of Warcraft, mmo, parenting
SXSW interactive just finished up here in Austin. SXSW is a large music/film/interative conference that brings the best and brightest to Austin. The interactive conference itself brings technologiest, internet marketers, and culturists together to discuss how online activities are changing politics, science, entertainment, etc.
It isn’t uncommon there to find that the CEO, CTO, CFO, or other prominently placed executive actively plays games online. Is it possible that the game you picked up for your child at Christmas has virtually introduced them to a future manager? Is your child’s behavior in game going to impress them with level-headed thinking, clear communications, and organizational leadership?
Take a moment to look at these two articles:
The business lessons of “World of Warcaft” from News. com
Is World of Warcraft the New Golf? from 1UP.com
Posted by dkidwell on January 13th, 2006 — Posted in Nintendo DS, World of Warcraft, daughters, parenting, sons
GameFam: Just Say No…To Bad Parenting
Dan Matkowsky quotes an article that makes me wonder if this woman is of the same species:
In the article, Roxanne Richardson, soon-to-be mother of two, contends, “I’d rather my son take a more proactive, less habitual drug like cocaine, than lock himself away and play video games. It’s so lazy. At least with pills and coke you’re out and about doing something.”
Wow…let’s talk about lazy for a second.
It’s Friday – my husband and I spent the week working, fighting off the flu, and doing all the chores that a family of 5 treats as everyday life (laundry, dishes, dinner, repeat).
What are we doing right now, having finished all that? We’re gaming with our kids.
Dad and the boys are playing Warcraft. Actively teaching our youngest, who is 6, the strategy necessary to keep up his production of units to help out the team.
Mom and daughter are exploring Electroplankton, using a keyboard to tune our voices and discovering how the plankton react to our directives. Huge music lesson here in how the scale works, etc.
Now, I’m sorry, but are my kids engaging in a lazy habitual activity? Exactly who is the lazy parent here?
Any parent who advocates cocaine, even in jest, is simply competing for a Darwin Award.
Posted by dkidwell on November 7th, 2005 — Posted in World of Warcraft, mmo
One of the most ingenius and wonderful things about MMOs are the creative arts that they inspire – in this case, an artist will take your character and create a fantasy portrait, for a mere in game commission. How clever…
Now, Bill over at Dubious Quality (whom both my husband and I fondly read) found this…
He quotes another blog, who will ultimately link to the actual artist…not sure what the rules for deep linking…but credit where credit is due and it’s worth the click adventure I’ve just sent ya thru…
Dubious Quality: WOW Photographers
No really, it’s worth it. Go, Bill’s link, then one more…..go!
Posted by dkidwell on July 19th, 2005 — Posted in World of Warcraft, ages 9-11, parenting, pc games
Raids in World of Warcraft can easily take 3-4 hours and with any luck, the group won’t fall apart, the servers will stay up, and your companions will be moderately competent. You’ll progressively move thru the various mobs and you’ll find that rare piece of equipment that you needed to flush out your armor set.
But if your a kid, or mom, for that matter, and the group just can’t seem to get organized until 8:30, you’re in trouble.
Folks will travel for the next 20 minutes to gather, someone will have to stop for game administrivia (I ‘have’ to check my auctions!) and by the time you are ready to launch, it’s 9:00pm.
Clouds gather on the horizon, and those first warning signs appear:
– Loud, exagerated yawns from the eager young stealther who dares not admit exhaustion
– Peevish commentary regarding that one player who’s addiction to the in game auction holds up the show an extra 20 minutes
– Requests for ’stamina potions’ (I need a COKE) will start pouring in, or worse yet…the dreaded ‘coke, coke coke coke’ mantra that evades the potential parental NO but aims to force the issue
By 10:30 your mount will turn into a pumpkin, and all that coordination and mad dash of tells is for naught…
It’s summer – but don’t be fooled. It’s still not wise to start a raid at 9:00pm.
