New reviews of the latest Nintendo games, updated system information, and pointers on choosing Nintendo games for every member of the family are offered in this helpful guide. An easily referenced, comprehensive listing of existing and upcoming titles is also featured, as well as game descriptions and suggestions regarding appropriate age groups for specific games.
Over the last forty years, video games have transformed from a niche market to a multibillion-dollar industry. No longer limited to arcade parlors, video games are everywhere and are accessible at any time. Along with the popularization of video games has come a growing concern about their ability to transform those who play them into antisocial killing machines who are desensitized to violence, have no friends, and will forever live in their parents' basements. But are these fears based in reality? Over the last twenty years, psychologists, sociologists, and media scholars have been working hard to answer these questions. Until now, their findings have largely remained insulated within scientific circles and inaccessible to the general public. A Parent's Guide to Video Games breaks the long-standing barriers between science and society by providing the first comprehensive guide to the science behind the headlines. Drawing from the most recent research in the field of game studies, A Parent's Guide to Video Games was developed specifically to help parents better understand if, how, and why video game play can impact a child's physical, social, and psychological well-being. This includes addressing questions such as these: Will playing violent video games make my child more aggressive and more likely to commit violent crime? Is video game addiction real? If so, how do I know if my child is addicted to video games? Will video game play worsen the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD)? Answers to these questions and many more are discussed inside. Armed with accurate and up-to-date scientific information, parents will begin to understand the science behind the headlines and be able to make more informed decisions for themselves and their families.
Parents the world over are angered and bewildered by the flood of video games that are consuming more and more of their children's time. These games affect not only their pocketbooks, but also their children's behavior, self-images, and emotions. This responsible, even-handed survey of over three hundred video games, graded for creativity, age suitability, and violence, is designed to help concerned adults take control of this remarkably powerful force. David Sheff, the author of the critically acclaimed Game Over, about Nintendo and the video-game industry, has become a recognized authority on the subject of these games. In Video Games: A Guide for Savvy Parents, he offers the first comprehensive analysis of the psychological and social impact of video games, as well as commonsense guidelines. He also issues a challenge to the game makers, who have captured the hearts and minds of millions of our children.
Nearly 40 years after their invention and a decade after exploding onto the mainstream, video games still remain a mystery to many parents, including which titles are appropriate, and their potential side-effects on kids. Now the answers are at your fingertips. Offering unrivaled insight and practical, real-world strategies for making gaming a positive part of family life, The Modern Parent's Guide to Kids and Video Games provides a vital resource for today's parent. From picking the right software to promoting online safety, setting limits and enforcing house rules, it offers indispensable hints, tips and how-to guides for fostering healthy play and development. Includes: Complete Guides to PC, Console, Mobile, Online & Social Games - Using Parental Controls and Game Ratings - Picking the Right Games - The Latest on Violence, Addiction, Online Safety - Setting Rules & Time Limits - Best Games for All Ages - Essential Tools & Resources. "An essential guide for parents." Jon Swartz, USA Today
Featuring new reviews of the latest games, this book explains everything a parent needs to know about America's most popular video game consoles: the PlayStation 2 and the revamped PlayStation One. This exhaustive guide offers parents different ways to cut through the hype with which games are marketed and clarifies the often-confusing video game ratings system.
This complete guide to choosing a system explains how games are rated by the industry, which games truly are educational, which may be questionable, and what to expect from games of each genre. Includes helpful descriptions of each game and suggests appropriate games for each age group.
Essential advice for every parent whose child plays video games. Dr. Steven Schwartz, an educational psychologist and expert on video games, takes parents through the whole process, from choosing a video game system for the home to deciding which games to buy or rent. He discusses the rating system and how video game systems can be used as learning tools.
