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Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Club Penguin]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-club-penguin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-club-penguin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-club-penguin/#commentsFiled under: Club Penguin, Browser, Casual, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Perhaps the leading name in virtual worlds aimed at the younger set, Club Penguin has taken its place as the starter game of choice for many a young online gamer. Ask around any elementary school, and you're bound to find kids who're playing this Flash-based browser game.

We'd heard of the game too, of course -- but we'd never played. So let's take a look at how this virtual world of waddling friendlies stacks up against the rest of the kids' games we've reviewed in our Parent's Guide to Kids & Family Gaming.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Club Penguin

MMO Family: A parent's look at Club Penguin originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>browserbrowser-basedchild-friendlychildrenclub-penguinf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsmmo-familyparents-guideparents-guide-to-kids-and-family-gamingvirtual-worldvirtual-worldsTue, 21 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

World of Warcraft? Yeah, even folks who don't play video games at all have heard of this behemoth of MMO gaming. With 12 million subscribers worldwide, the WoW phenomenon has practically come to define an entire generation's worth of MMO gaming. While it's designed for teens and up, the game is so ubiquitous that you wouldn't have to dig far to find players of all ages, including many teens but also younger children as well.

With a new expansion, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, due for release on December 7th, plenty of kids (and grownups) will be angling for WoW in their holiday stockings. The question is: Is WoW a good fit for your kids? With good preparation and consistent parent moderation, it can be -- but if you don't play the game yourself or you take a more hands-off approach to gaming, you may want to wait until your little goblin- or worgen-to-be is well into the teen years. Join us after the break for an insider's look at WoW for younger children and teens.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Warcraft

MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cataclysmchild-friendlychildrenetiquettefamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfeaturedgroupinggroupsguildskid-friendlymmo-familynetiquetteparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteensworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/mmo-family-mind-your-massively-multiplayer-manners/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/mmo-family-mind-your-massively-multiplayer-manners/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/mmo-family-mind-your-massively-multiplayer-manners/#commentsFiled under: Horror, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Kids are like sponges, sure -- old saying is old. But are online manners something you really want to leave to chance? Are the interactions your kids so intently follow online the manners you want them soaking up and using themselves? As parents, we know that the habits and attitudes that kids pick up today are what we'll find coming right back at us tomorrow. Teens who are used to trolling in games and forums will have a hard time modulating to a less strident tone in a business meeting. Kids who excuse a lack of scruples with "whatever -- it's only the internet" are due for a big surprise when a thoughtless instant message or careless lack of response to an email slams doors in their faces later in life.

As parents who game, we all have hot buttons that set us off: the guy who always shows up late to raids, beggars, you name it. The point is: Have you talked to your kids yet about these behaviors? Are you explicitly (by both word and example) helping them not to grow up to be That Guy?

I'm pretty sure we don't need a primer in online etiquette here at Massively, but I don't think it would hurt to share some of the things we wish Those Other Parents had taught their kids before turning them loose in our games. I'll share my dirty dozen after the break -- won't you share your own in the comments?

Continue reading MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners

MMO Family: Mind your massively multiplayer manners originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>beggingchildrenetiquettefamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedgroupinggroupsguildsinterruptionslollulzmannersmistakesnetiquetteninja-inviteninja-lootingparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteenstime-managementventTue, 16 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at LEGO Universe]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-lego-universe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-lego-universe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/02/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-lego-universe/#commentsFiled under: Launches, LEGO Universe, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Most kids who play video games have at least seen one from the LEGO franchise. There are a ton of them -- enough, in fact, for a whole page listing them. They're fun games; I'll bet you've played at least one of them, at least in bits and pieces in a demo somewhere. After all, who doesn't love LEGOs?

Still, there was a decided "ho-hum" reaction among my team of young playtesters when I announced we were going to test the ropes of the brand new LEGO Universe MMO. Oh sure, they were willing enough, but it seemed there was always something shinier and more appealing to play on any given day than the game about good ol' LEGOs.

Until they played LEGO Universe -- and had a (brick-)smashing good time.

Gallery: First Impressions: LEGO Universe

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at LEGO Universe

MMO Family: A parent's look at LEGO Universe originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenfamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidslegolego-universelegosmmo-familynet-devilnetdevilparental-controlsparentsparents-guideparents-guide-to-kids-and-family-gamingryan-seaburysubscriptionwarner-brothers-interactiveTue, 02 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/mmo-family-parents-as-gaming-gatekeepers/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Does your child have the emotional levels it takes to tackle certain MMOs? The idea of parents as gaming gatekeepers all too often comes down to simplistic, ESRB ratings-based rulings passed down from on high by relatively disengaged parents. Deciding what and how your child should play is far from a black-or-white decision. Last time in MMO Family, for instance, we looked at how to tell if your child is ready for MMO raiding -- yet far too many commenters missed the point, assuming (from the topic alone, we can only presume) that we advocate a laissez-faire attitude that allows kids to abandon their other activities and strands them in front of a keyboard during every free moment. Come on, folks, it's not a choice between letting kids play to the detriment of the rest of their lives vs. not playing at all. It's about gatekeeping -- and this is where you, the parent, come in.

The truth is, categorically forbidding kids who're interested in video games to play at all is no more thoughtful or balanced an approach than throwing up your hands and letting them log in during every waking moment. Your role is to help children learn to balance their interests and lives, with as light or heavy a hand as may be necessary for your kids. This week, we've brought you some thoughts from a mother and son who've been there, done that -- together.

Continue reading MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers

MMO Family: Parents as gaming gatekeepers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>age-appropriateage-limitschildrenESRBfamilyfamily-gamingfeaturedguildsparental-controlsparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteenstime-managementTue, 19 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Is your child ready for MMO raiding?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/mmo-family-is-your-child-ready-for-mmo-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/mmo-family-is-your-child-ready-for-mmo-raiding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/mmo-family-is-your-child-ready-for-mmo-raiding/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Does your youngster have ambitions to become an MMO raider? As a seasoned gamer yourself, you may find it hard to believe that your kids are already old enough to be chomping at the bit to battle the same bosses, to pore over the same strategies, to put themselves through the same scheduling wringer that you do. That's the thing about kids, though -- they want to tackle the cool stuff just like you do, especially if that's what they've grown up watching you raid.

Is MMO raiding appropriate for your older child or teen? That's a matter only a parent can decide. The answer will be different from child to child, age to age and family to family. The best analogy I can offer is to treat this like a virtual team sport. Make sure your youngster has the bandwidth to support adding another focused activity to his schedule; from there, you'll want to help him choose the right team with a solid coach and assistants, supportive teammates and an age-appropriate challenge rating and social environment. A little direction from a tuned-in, gaming-savvy parent can help many young wannabe raiders realize their ambitions in an age-appropriate, balanced and enjoyable way.

Continue reading MMO Family: Is your child ready for MMO raiding?

MMO Family: Is your child ready for MMO raiding? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>age-appropriateage-limitschildrenfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedguildsparental-controlsparentsraidingsupervisionteenagersteenstime-managementTue, 05 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Hello Kitty Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-hello-kitty-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-hello-kitty-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-hello-kitty-online/#commentsFiled under: Free-to-Play, Hello Kitty Online, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Hello Kitty Online is the first of our Parents Guide selections that's aimed squarely at teens and young adults rather than the kiddie set. Say what? We were surprised, too -- but given the mind-bogglingly persistent popularity of Hello Kitty among grownups with more discerning taste (and expansive wallets), it stands to reason that developer Sanrio would want HKO to reach as broad an audience as possible.

What HKO brings to the keyboard, then, is less a kiddie game than a crafting-oriented, sunshiny, Hello-Kitty-themed version of an MMO. Sure, it's 2-D. Sure, it's free-to-play. But despite the precious proliferation of pink, you'll find gameplay that's more in line with traditional, fully developed MMOs -- a purrfectly friendly MMO choice for your teen daughter.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Hello Kitty Online

MMO Family: A parent's look at Hello Kitty Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chat-filterchildf2pfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumgirlsHello-Kittyhello-kitty-onlinehkokid-friendlykidspoint-and-clicksafesanriosanrio-digitalsanriotownteenteenagerswomenTue, 21 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-cars-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-cars-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-world-of-cars-online/#commentsFiled under: New Titles, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

How could you not fall in love with a Disney/Pixar movie? I'm not sure that's even possible. Cars revved up belly laughs in the theater back in 2006, earning two Oscar nominations and raking in more than a dozen other industry awards. Kids were captivated by the feisty little car characters, and grownups chuckled at voicing from such high-octane stars as Owen Wilson, Paul Newman and even Cheech Marin.

The MMO version of the franchise, which officially launched last month, pulls away from the starting line without this full tank of charisma. World of Cars Online hits on all cylinders yet somehow fails to throttle up into the type of completely engaging world we've come to expect from a Disney/Pixar creation. It's a 2-D, minigame-centric experience with lots (and we do mean lots) of point-and-click racing. Still, if you've got a young boy around the house who's hankering to burn a little online rubber, World of Cars is an inexpensive, kid-friendly way to do it.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online

MMO Family: A parent's look at World of Cars Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>carschat-filterchildchildrendisneydisney-interactive-media-groupfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedflashfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsminigamesparental-controlsparentspixarpoint-and-clicksafe-chatspeed-chatweb-basedworld-of-carsworld-of-cars-onlineTue, 07 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: The 10-step back-to-school gaming tuneup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/mmo-family-the-10-step-back-to-school-gaming-tuneup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/mmo-family-the-10-step-back-to-school-gaming-tuneup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/mmo-family-the-10-step-back-to-school-gaming-tuneup/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

We're going to make this short and sweet, parents: You probably shouldn't try to dodge a back-to-school gaming tuneup. Sure, talking about responsibilities and setting screen time limits is no fun. Kids hate rules, and parents hate having to play traffic cop. But back-to-school time means rebalancing languid, lazy summer schedules -- and if you're going to help your kids develop time management skills and a head for how to balance their own activities and schedules, this is the perfect teaching moment.

Before we go any further, let's make it clear that hard-and-fast time limits aren't the answer for all or even many gaming families. What's important is to help young gaming devotees step back periodically for a checkup of how this compelling, sometimes time-consuming hobby is balancing out against the rest of their lives. Your goal is not to legislate from above but rather to help your kids regulate from below -- so let's take a look at 10 steps that can help them do exactly that.

Continue reading MMO Family: The 10-step back-to-school gaming tuneup

MMO Family: The 10-step back-to-school gaming tuneup originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childchildrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparentsschoolscreen-timeTue, 24 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Long-distance gaming with Grandma and Grandpa]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/mmo-family-long-distance-gaming-with-grandma-and-grandpa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/mmo-family-long-distance-gaming-with-grandma-and-grandpa/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/mmo-family-long-distance-gaming-with-grandma-and-grandpa/#commentsFiled under: Free-to-Play, Browser, Casual, Free Realms, Kids, Wizard101, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Back in my day (eons before even that prehistoric era when we trudged five miles uphill through the lava to kill Lord Nagafen, after sitting in the server's text chat room so our buff timers wouldn't tick down while the rest of the group was getting prepped), kids wrote letters to keep in touch with long-distance grandparents. We struggled almost as hard to read our elders' spidery, old-fashioned cursive as we did to figure out something relevant to say to these relative strangers. Then once a month, we'd be herded into the kitchen or hall (where most people's phones were back then) for the Dreaded Phone Call of Doom, during which we'd self-consciously mumble responses to people who couldn't remember which grade we were in or which of us kids was the swimmer and which was the ballet dancer. Talk about awkward...

Today, cell phones and email make it much easier to keep a family in touch when its members are separated by miles. Still, it's hard for kids to develop a relationship of any depth with people they meet infrequently at best and with whom they share nothing in common beyond a few genetic jots and tittles.

Until gaming came along.

Continue reading MMO Family: Long-distance gaming with Grandma and Grandpa

MMO Family: Long-distance gaming with Grandma and Grandpa originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childchildrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumgaming-across-the-milesgrandmagrandpagrandparentskid-friendlykidslong-distancelong-distance-gamingparentsTue, 10 Aug 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cory Doctorow talks gaming and sci-fi culture]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/cory-doctorow-talks-gaming-and-sci-fi-culture/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/cory-doctorow-talks-gaming-and-sci-fi-culture/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/cory-doctorow-talks-gaming-and-sci-fi-culture/#commentsFiled under: Culture, Interviews

Although Cory Doctorow doesn't self-identify as a gamer, he's certainly put in more than his fair share of /played at the keyboard and console. Doctorow's specialty, his uniquely savvy take on pop culture and technology, synthesizes ideas and spits them out to an ever-expanding internet audience. An activist and vocal supporter of Creative Commons, a journalist and blogger, and a new father along with his wife, gaming standout Alice Taylor, Doctorow is perhaps most widely known as co-editor of Boing Boing and author of such science fiction novels as Makers and Little Brother.

Doctorow's latest young adult novel, For the Win, pries open the seams of the shady scene behind MMO gold farming. Its young protagonists are gold farmers and gamers themselves. Doctorow has woven his own experience and sensibilities with focused research to outline a world of gold farming that sprawls far beyond the lines of cartoon-image gold farmers that most of us have painted in our heads. We chatted by phone with Doctorow for this conversation about gaming culture and his recent fiction, plus a lengthy companion piece on gold farming at our sister publication WoW.com.

Continue reading Cory Doctorow talks gaming and sci-fi culture

Cory Doctorow talks gaming and sci-fi culture originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/27/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-fantage/#commentsFiled under: Free-to-Play, Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family, from tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate online games for everyone in the family.

Now that we've established that kids aren't gaming snobs and will dig into a good Flash game with as much relish as we grownups attack any top-rung MMO title, let's look at another up-and-coming Flash title for kids. Fantage (short for "Fantastic Age") has attracted nearly 7 million users since April 2008 almost entirely by word of mouth -- how's that for kid power?

I suspect the reason Fantage tickles my 9-year-old playtester's fancy is tied to the advancements she's been making with her real-life character this summer. The achievements are flowing: she's figured out how to use the Page Up and Page Down buttons to snag [Swimming in the Deep End], she's acquired her first epic mount [Big Brother's Hand-Me-Down Bike] and she's become fascinated with the possibilities of /dance... We're even breaking away from class-specific gear sets to farm all the mats for her [Tier 4 School Supplies] individually via hotly contested minigames all over town. So while she's still utterly captivated by the sparkling magic of a game like Pixie Hollow, this evolving little personality is hooked on Fantage's opportunities to show off her own style and personality via her avatar and accessories. Different game, different flavor -- so let's investigate the attractions.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage

MMO Family: A parent's look at Fantage originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chat-filterchildchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfantagefeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspixie-hollowsafe-chatTue, 27 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Parents Guide helps you choose games for the family]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/mmo-family-parents-guide-helps-you-choose-games-for-the-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/mmo-family-parents-guide-helps-you-choose-games-for-the-family/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/13/mmo-family-parents-guide-helps-you-choose-games-for-the-family/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Guides

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

When it's time to find just the right game for your family, turn to our growing Parents Guide to Kids & Family Gaming.You know what you like in an MMO -- but what about your kids? And what if you're looking for something the whole family can play together? We ask the basic questions for all the online games you may be considering for your family.

What computer systems will it run on?
How much does it cost?
What does the game look and feel like?
Who's the target audience?

You'll find answers to these questions and more for every game in our ongoing series. What's more, we'll be updating the Parents Guide every time we run a new "A parent's look at" article.

Continue reading MMO Family: Parents Guide helps you choose games for the family

MMO Family: Parents Guide helps you choose games for the family originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfeaturedkidsparentsparents-guide-to-kids-and-family-gamingTue, 13 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/mmo-family-podcasts-for-gaming-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/mmo-family-podcasts-for-gaming-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/mmo-family-podcasts-for-gaming-kids/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Here's an offbeat idea for the kids on one of those endless hot summer days: Track down -- or better yet, try your hand at creating -- a podcast for their favorite MMO. Kids love to hear what other kids are playing, yet there aren't many kid-friendly gaming podcasts out there. "The thing about podcasts for kid's MMOs is that most kids don't really know much about what a podcast is," says Leesha Darkheart of Ravenwood Radio, a podcast about Wizard101.

Do we smell a hero's title for the mom or dad who comes up with an idea for creating some of the coolest summer fun on the block? We just might -- plus a seal of approval for discovering yet another way to enjoy gaming as a family.

Continue reading MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids

MMO Family: Podcasts for gaming kids originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childchildrenfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfree-realmsfree-realms-soehello-kitty-onlinekid-fridaykid-friendlylego-universepodcastravenwood-radiospiralcastvideo-games-for-kidswebcastwebkinz-webcastwizard101Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/mmo-family-video-game-violence-provokes-aggression-in-some-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/mmo-family-video-game-violence-provokes-aggression-in-some-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/mmo-family-video-game-violence-provokes-aggression-in-some-kids/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Sensible parents have long recognized that the way kids react to video game violence varies according to their personalities. A recent post at Bitmob illustrated one parent's recognition of the innocence with which his four-year-old son approached an opportunity to play Grand Theft Auto. "I understand not every kid is like mine, so I wouldn't recommend that every parent allow their child to play Grand Theft Auto," he wrote. "But I would recommend that you listen and pay attention to your little ones to determine what they are capable of handling and what they are not ready for yet."

Now, new research tells us how to determine exactly that. A report in the June issue of Review of General Psychology has pinpointed the factors that determine why violent video games provoke hostile behavior in some teens but not in others.

Continue reading MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others

MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>aggressionchildchild-friendlychildrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfeaturedgrand-theft-autointernetkid-friendlykidsparentsresearchvideo-games-liveviolenceviolentTue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Screening "screen time"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/mmo-family-screening-screen-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/mmo-family-screening-screen-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/mmo-family-screening-screen-time/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

One of the first topics we tackled here at MMO Family is how to tell when kids have had enough gaming time. As parents who game, we should be in a unique position to appreciate, respect and guide our children's attraction to games. But in the crush of day-to-day living, it's all too easy to let a few extra gaming minutes slip into half an hour ... past an hour ... into the evening ... into a habit that's begun eating away at family balance.

Some families keep a rein on gaming overdoses by instituting strict limits on screen time. What's considered part of the screen time quota varies from family to family; TV time is the bottom line, with movies, internet use and gaming time lumped in or added on top according to each family's habits and needs. We talked to Dr. Kourosh Dini, author of Video Game Play and Addiction: A Guide for Parents (now available completely online) and himself a gamer, for some professional perspectives on how to keep things in balance.

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MMO Family: Screening "screen time" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childchild-friendlychildrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfeaturedinternetkid-friendlykidsparentsscreen-timetelevisiontime-managementTVTue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-pixie-hollow/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

I wasn't planning to include a 2-D Flash game in MMO Family's initial sweep of children's games -- but then my daughter tried Disney's Pixie Hollow. Initially dismissive of the idea of slumming it in 2-D, she found herself utterly captivated by its magpie collection quests and friendly community of players. In the eyes of this 8-year-old road tester, Pixie Hollow delivers an enjoyable, social experience in an online world ... And I was forced to admit that this world suits her own interests as well as deeply immersive MMO worlds hold mine.

We're not going to get into gender wars here. Obviously, some girls won't like the fairies theme, and we're sure grownups will continue their snarky debates over the game's recently added male characters ("sparrow men"). Beyond that, what's most apparent is that Pixie Hollow successfully snares both kids who are enthralled with the Disney Fairies franchise and those who simply enjoy a glittery, web-based spot to flutter and chatter.

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MMO Family: A parent's look at Pixie Hollow originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chat-filterchildchildrenDisneyDisney-FairiesDisney-InteractiveESRBESRB-ratingfairiesfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedfree-to-playfreemiumkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentsPixie-Hollowsparrow-manFri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Family night at the MMO buffet]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/mmo-family-family-night-at-the-mmo-buffet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/mmo-family-family-night-at-the-mmo-buffet/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/30/mmo-family-family-night-at-the-mmo-buffet/#commentsFiled under: RuneScape, Free-to-Play, Casual, Free Realms, Kids, Wizard101, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

It's no secret how rich the world of family-friendly MMOs has become -- or then again, considering the general lack of regard and awareness for them even among gamers like us, perhaps it is. Certainly, there's no denying the sheer quantity of kids' games on the market. Even an entire year ago, there were already more than 200 youth-oriented virtual worlds and MMOs either in development or on the market. A year later, as we recently reported, "... Blizzard's World of Warcraft has the most number of players in the U.S. out of all the MMOs it tracked, just in front of NeoPets and Club Penguin. Other MMOs in the top five include Disney ToonTown and RuneScape." From where this writer sits, eyeballing the list of possibilities for our ongoing Parents Guide series about family-friendly games ... It's going to be a long, long run, folks.

Continue reading MMO Family: Family night at the MMO buffet

MMO Family: Family night at the MMO buffet originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>free-2-playfree-mmorpgfree-realmsfree-realms-soefree-realms-sonyfree-to-playKing-Fu-Panda-WorldPixie-Hollowsoesony-onlinesony-online-entertainmentFri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-toontown-online/#commentsFiled under: Toontown Online, Kids, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Kids may not even realize they're playing an MMO (you know, one of those games that Mom and Dad talk about all the time and play after bedtime) when they log in to Toontown Online. All the traditional elements are there -- missions, combat, grouping, pets -- but they're all couched in the incomparable cartoon stylings of Disney. In fact, "couched" is probably the most apt descriptor possible, because Toontown is familiar and welcoming, just like that cozy couch you've been nestling into to watch Saturday morning cartoons for ... well, your whole life.

That's not to say that the action in Toontown is laid back. It's anything but. Kids gobble up the zany, cartoon slapstick approach to "combat" (think cream pies and banana peels) and mini-games. In fact, they'll be so busy squirting the boss in the face with their lapel flowers that they won't even realize they're "working" on levels. This is kid-flavored MMO gaming at its candy-coated best.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online

MMO Family: A parent's look at Toontown Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chat-filterchildchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspay-as-you-goFri, 16 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: The advantages of a family-friendly guild]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/mmo-family-the-advantages-of-a-family-friendly-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/mmo-family-the-advantages-of-a-family-friendly-guild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/mmo-family-the-advantages-of-a-family-friendly-guild/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

tostadophoto.com, flickr

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

The benefits of so-called "family-friendly" guilds go far beyond the flexibility for an occasional (or perhaps not-so-occasional) "AFK, baby woke up" during raids. Having started out as a launch-era, Drelzna-camping EverQuest player, I now appreciate the evolution to a kinder, gentler schedule. When my guild finally made a conscious switch to a more forgiving schedule and philosophy, the relief in guild chat was palpable. It's not necessarily about the specific hours or the number of nights per week -- the family-friendly approach is more of a mindset that gives members room to breathe.

Continue reading MMO Family: The advantages of a family-friendly guild

MMO Family: The advantages of a family-friendly guild originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childchildrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-guildfeaturedguildskidsparentsscheduleFri, 02 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Finding time to game during the family years]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mmo-family-finding-time-to-game-during-the-family-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mmo-family-finding-time-to-game-during-the-family-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mmo-family-finding-time-to-game-during-the-family-years/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

★Debs★, flickr

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Believe it or not, the childhood years can be a golden era for your gaming. It's all about availability -- and let's face it, staying home to game gives you a big edge. The trick is making sure you actually are available to your children and partner while you're gaming. (After all, isolating yourself in the back room mumbling, "Just six more kills ... Just six more kills ..." isn't exactly helping anyone find a juice box or get a fresh diaper.) Still, once you stop to consider the ways that gaming can fit into your daily schedule, we think you'll find that gaming is a great fit for a young family.

Continue reading MMO Family: Finding time to game during the family years

MMO Family: Finding time to game during the family years originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childchildrenfamilyfeaturedkidsparentsscheduleteenagersteenstweensFri, 19 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: How to lobby your parents for more gaming time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/mmo-family-how-to-lobby-your-parents-for-more-gaming-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/mmo-family-how-to-lobby-your-parents-for-more-gaming-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/mmo-family-how-to-lobby-your-parents-for-more-gaming-time/#commentsFiled under: Tips and tricks, Kids, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Today's MMO Family is for all the MMO-playing teens out there who'd like more time to game. Parents, you're most welcome to stay and read along (and hand this to your own teen afterwards), but we've covered your perspective before. (Refer back to our tips on how to balance gaming with the rest of your life, or check the signs that your teen may be over-indulging in too much gaming.) What we haven't covered yet explicitly are strategies for responsible teens to earn permission for more gaming time. If you're jonesing for more time in game and online, there are things that you should and shouldn't do before you even make your case with your parents.

Here's our game plan.

Continue reading MMO Family: How to lobby your parents for more gaming time

MMO Family: How to lobby your parents for more gaming time originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenfamilyfeaturedhomeworkkidsparentsscheduleschoolteenagersteensFri, 05 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/19/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-wizard101/#commentsFiled under: Casual, Kids, Wizard101, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Wizard101 is the game your youngest gamers have been begging for. With stringent chat filters atop relaxed, turn-based game play, Wizard101 looks almost unbeatable for young players seeking an MMO with traditional fantasy appeal. It plays like a collectible card game with all the MMO trimmings: housing, armor and clothing, player houses, pets, mini-games ... Family subscription plans plus the most complete, well presented web documentation that we've found keep parents as happy as the kids. (And they just might find themselves tempted to start a character and build their own spell decks, too!)

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101

MMO Family: A parent's look at Wizard101 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentspay-as-you-gowizard101Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-ether-saga-online/#commentsFiled under: At a glance, Fantasy, Free-to-Play, Kids, Ether Saga Online, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Next in our look at kids' MMOs is Ether Saga Online, winner of a 2009 National Parenting Publications Award for tweens and teens video games. Compared with the freewheeling, open-ended approach of Free Realms, ESO presents a more traditional MMO face. Even so, you probably weren't expecting a work of classic literature -- but that's in fact what you'll get. ESO, which was first developed for Chinese players, is based on Journey to the West (often known in the West as Monkey), considered one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. All that, and it's free to play, too.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online

MMO Family: A parent's look at Ether Saga Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>animechat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedJourney-to-the-Westkid-friendlykidsMonkeyparental-controlsparentsPerfect-WorldPerfect-World-EntertainmentFri, 29 Jan 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/mmo-family-a-parents-look-at-free-realms/#commentsFiled under: At a glance, Free-to-Play, Free Realms, Kids, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

This week, MMO Family begins a gaming-savvy look at some of the most popular kid MMOs. You know what you like in an MMO - but what about your kids? And what if you're looking for something the whole family could play together? Today's gaming family can nibble from a whole feast of MMOs: games for grownups (we can help you fence off areas for kids who want to play what Mom and Dad do), games for the little ones, games for tweens and teens, and games for everyone to play together. When it's time to find just the right selection for the kids, we'll help you reticle over the most likely targets.

First up: Free Realms from Sony Online Entertainment.

Continue reading MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms

MMO Family: A parent's look at Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chat-filterchildrenESRBESRB-ratingfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedFree-Realmskid-friendlykidsparental-controlsparentsSony-Online-EntertainmentStation-CashFri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Kidproofing your favorite MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/mmo-family-kidproofing-your-favorite-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/mmo-family-kidproofing-your-favorite-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/mmo-family-kidproofing-your-favorite-mmo/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

It's inevitable: whatever bright, shiny game you are playing, the kids will want in on the action, too. Granted, some games just aren't made for sharing with kids. (This mom saw her Age of Conan debauchery relegated to late-night sessions after the kids had gone to bed.) But most MMOs make perfectly fine sandboxes for the kids, once you've helped shape a kid-sized mini-world within.

The thing is, young children enjoy MMOs differently than older kids and adults. The things that float their little boats are likely to seem completely pedestrian to you. Kids devour character creation. They enjoy exploring starting zones and picking "their" own houses, inns and shops. They like to dress up (you did take Tailoring, didn't you?). They think killing 10 rats is grand fun -- and just as fun the next time, and the next, and the next ...

Part of the reason that these things are so enticing to them is because they're part of the game that you play. Just because your youngster isn't quite ready for the main course of your favorite game doesn't mean the game is completely unsuitable for kids. We'd never recommend buying an MMO specifically for a child who's not ready to tackle its main content. But if you're already playing a game that your kids think looks fun, why not let them join in at their level? It's not necessary to hand-hold them through every moment. Keep reading for simple ways to help younger children enjoy big MMOs in a smaller, more kid-friendly way.

Continue reading MMO Family: Kidproofing your favorite MMO

MMO Family: Kidproofing your favorite MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenfamilyfamily-funfeaturedkidsparentsFri, 01 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/mmo-family-hey-this-looks-like-a-kids-game/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

We've talked before about different ways to sniff out if an MMO is a good choice for your kids. What we haven't covered yet are the indicators that a game may not be a good fit for your family. In light of the long hours of freedom stretching before our kids when school's out (and the fact that parental oversight is more likely to be lenient, if not downright indulgent, during the holidays), we decided some yellow-light signals might be in order.

Being a gaming parent sometimes makes it tougher, not simpler, to choose the right games for kids. Constant exposure to gaming news and game names can give us a false sense of familiarity. We build assumptions about games based on what we know about the companies that produce them. What we think we know actually makes it harder to spot what we're not clued into at all.

Continue reading MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game

MMO Family: Hey, this looks like a kids' game originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenESRBfamilyfeaturedfree-to-playkidsparentsratingratingsFri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Balancing games with the rest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/mmo-family-balancing-games-with-the-rest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/mmo-family-balancing-games-with-the-rest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/mmo-family-balancing-games-with-the-rest/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Let's get balanced. With MMOs, that can sometimes be easier said than done. The same qualities that make MMO gaming such an easy hobby to enjoy - convenience, multiple layers of involvement, immersion, sociability - are the same qualities that make it so easy to overindulge.

After you've been at it long enough, though, you begin to realize that you can dip in and out of different games and different gaming styles as your life evolves. Dark Age of Camelot kept me in touch with my guildmates during the ragged, 24-hour days of my daughter's first months of life. I ground EQ XP like a trooper when she grew old enough to start sleeping like one (a trooper, that is). Once she became interested in handling her own nocturnal drinks and visits to the bathroom, I dove with abandon into hardcore raiding in World of Warcraft. When work began beating down my energy level more nights than not, I began dabbling with achievements and meta-gaming. And none of that touches on all the games my kids have splashed their way in and out of over the years. It's an evolving patchwork - and that's what I'm encouraging you to develop for your own gaming family.

Continue reading MMO Family: Balancing games with the rest

MMO Family: Balancing games with the rest originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>balancechildrenfamilyfeaturedkidsparentsFri, 04 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOrigins: The devolution of a gamer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/mmorigins-the-devolution-of-a-gamer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/mmorigins-the-devolution-of-a-gamer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/mmorigins-the-devolution-of-a-gamer/#commentsFiled under: Opinion, Massively Meta, MMOrigins

It all started with a sick kindergartener. Trapped inside our tiny apartment, watching my feverish son flop listlessly on the couch, I was determined to find something to distract him. "He loves those wiggly, fiery pet things people have in that new game with all the rats," I thought, pulling up my husband's brand new EverQuest account. "I'll start him whatever makes those, and that'll keep his mind off how rotten he feels." After a hurried phone consultation with my husband on classes and stats, we found ourselves flitting about in front of Felwithe, searching for a way to summon our pet. "What's with this shield and sword that keeps popping up?!" I cried in frustration. Frantic inquiries to any enchanter who seemed likely to know how to summon the orange thing that wiggled its tail as it slowed down finally yielded the truth: we'd created the wrong class entirely. One re-roll and seemingly hours of dead bats later, our magician summoned her first fire pet -- firing an interest in MMOs that would become a family passion.

My son went back to school the next day, leaving me at home with my work ... and that magician. Felwithe was annoyingly dark, and I kept getting lost every time I got beyond sight of the castle ("I've lost my body again; you think that bard friend of yours will be online tonight? Every green hill and tree looks the same, and Sense Heading does nothing to help ..."). Still, there was something persuasive about the experience. It wasn't long before my character had outleveled my husband's, I'd made friends with a band of intrepid trailblazers and joined what would become one of the server's top two raiding guilds.

Continue reading MMOrigins: The devolution of a gamer

MMOrigins: The devolution of a gamer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Age-of-ConanAoCburnoutCity-of-HeroesDAoCDark-Age-of-CamelotEQEverQuestFallen-EarthfeaturedmmoriginsWorld-of-WarcraftWoWFri, 04 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Virtual worlds for kids]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmo-family-virtual-worlds-for-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmo-family-virtual-worlds-for-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmo-family-virtual-worlds-for-kids/#commentsFiled under: Club Penguin, There, Habbo Hotel, Gaia Online, Barbie Girls, Kids, Moshi Monsters, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Nestling somewhere in between MMOs and social networking, virtual worlds are a virtual sandlot for millions of kids worldwide. Think avatar-based chat and mini-games alongside other kids of the same age range and interests, and you'll catch the appeal of these kid-friendly destinations. While a gaming parent might consider virtual worlds mere training wheels for games still to come, kid-friendly virtual worlds seem to fit the attention spans, chatty nature and niche-y interests of kids to a T.

The sheer variety of worlds appealing to children makes it easy for kids to find a spot where they'll want to hang out. As of early 2009, kids could choose from 112 virtual worlds designed for children and teens, according to Engage Digital Media, with more than 80 new worlds under development. The numbers of kids who've found a virtual home in these worlds rivals even the fat figures of MMO big dog World of Warcraft. Research firm eMarketer estimates that in the United States alone, 8 million kids hung out in virtual worlds regularly during 2008; that number is projected to swell to more than 15 million by 2013.

Continue reading MMO Family: Virtual worlds for kids

MMO Family: Virtual worlds for kids originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>action-allstarsbarbie-girlsbella-sarabuild-a-bearvillechildrendizzywoodfamilyfeaturedparentspixie-hollowpoptropicaridemakerzrobloxseapals-worldsecret-buildersteen-second-lifetoontowntootsvilletygirlzvirtual-worldswebkinzFri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Parental control tools]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/mmo-family-parental-control-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/mmo-family-parental-control-tools/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/mmo-family-parental-control-tools/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

If you've been following along here at MMO Family, you'll know we keep a pretty big toolbox. What works for one family won't fit another, so we believe in offering a lot of different options. You can't possibly use every tool at once -- or maybe you could, although you probably shouldn't. You'd be one busy parent if you attempted to wield all 17 internet safety tactics at once for every child, every day. You'd never have time to actually log in and play if you ran every game screening technique known to man ... Treat all these tactics like a buffet, and load up your plate with the ideas you think fit your family's taste.

That said, we've got another big tool for the box this week: parental controls. These settings on your computer, game consoles and individual games let you limit access to game features you don't want your children to use. You can use parental controls to determine what games your kids play (and block those M-rated games borrowed from the friend at school), who they're playing them with and when they're playing them.

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MMO Family: Parental control tools originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenfamilyfeaturedmonitorparental-controlsparentsscheduleFri, 06 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: When enough is enough]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/mmo-family-when-enough-is-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/mmo-family-when-enough-is-enough/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/mmo-family-when-enough-is-enough/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Whether yours is the kind of family with "screen time" limits or the type that takes a more laissez-faire approach to logging in, there comes a point when enough is enough. Plenty of pixels and ink have been devoted to the debate over whether or not internet and gaming overuse should be considered an "addiction." What we're here to discuss is how gaming affects your family. As parents who game, we should be in a unique position to appreciate, respect and guide our children's attraction to games. But sometimes in the crush of day-to-day living, it's easy to let those last few minutes slip into half an hour ... past an hour ... into the evening ... into a habit that's begun eating away at family balance.

To help parents recognize when their children's gaming may have passed what's reasonable and productive for them as individuals, we touched base with psychiatrist Dr. Kourosh Dini (author of Video Game Play and Addiction: A Guide for Parents and himself a gamer). Statistics on gaming use, he explains, show that most gamers manage to balance gaming with their daily lives without negative consequences. "In fact ... sometimes what one can gain from a game is quite profound," he observes. "The person's mind and the video games together set the stage - either for benefit or for detriment." A gaming schedule that suffocates one child's motivation and energy might buoy another through social problems at school. Our mission: to keep the mix healthy, productive and fun.

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MMO Family: When enough is enough originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>addictionbalancechildrenfamilyfeaturedparentsquittingscheduleFri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: The family that groups together]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmo-family-the-family-that-groups-together/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmo-family-the-family-that-groups-together/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/mmo-family-the-family-that-groups-together/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Now that we've established why and how to stay plugged into your children's gaming interests, some general internet safety rules for kids and a variety of ways to choose games that are suitable for your family, you're probably ready to log in and get some XP. But if it's the whole family we're trying to consider here, we're not quite buffed and ready to pull. Gaming for kids and gaming with kids are two different things. Have you considered the benefits of fitting both into your gaming family?

A gaming family has a lot in common with a rich, well developed MMO. You can solo. You can group. You can team or raid. You can quest, and you can craft. You can go PvP, stay PvE or tuck yourself into a quiet corner to roleplay or socialize. And just as you can cherry-pick your activities according to your interests within a single game, you can mix and match games, what you do within each game and different configurations of groups and partners within your family. There's no law that states that kids must play "children's games" and adults must play "mature" fare. Your kids may be jonesing to play the games they've grown up watching you play - or they may find your enraptured state over the economy of EVE Online utterly stultifying. Cobble together whatever mix of high/low, adult/kiddie gaming everyone finds most enjoyable.

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MMO Family: The family that groups together originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenconfidencecooperationfailurefamilyfamily-funfeaturedgroupingkidsmannersparentsrespectself-sufficiencysolosuccesstogetherFri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Con your games like a pro]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/mmo-family-con-your-games-like-a-pro/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

When I first started playing MMOs in the very earliest days of EverQuest, I never quite understood my husband's rantings about the con system (i.e. to "consider" a monster's levels in relation to the player's). He can only take on light blues? Say what?! My magician's pet was putting down dark blues and whites while I ran to the kitchen for a drink. What was his problem, anyway?

Unfortunately (for my husband and monks everywhere), no matter what they say, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. And when it comes to choosing MMOs for your family, what's appropriate for one child and one family might be off the rails for another. Like keeping kids safe on the internet, the best strategy for choosing suitable games is a combination of tactics tailored to your family's likes, dislikes and needs. How can you best con the games your kids are begging to bring home?

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MMO Family: Con your games like a pro originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenESRBesrb-ratingfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkidsparentsratingssupervisionFri, 16 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: 17 internet safety tactics for gaming families]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/mmo-family-17-internet-safety-tactics-for-gaming-families/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/mmo-family-17-internet-safety-tactics-for-gaming-families/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/mmo-family-17-internet-safety-tactics-for-gaming-families/#commentsFiled under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

"Be careful, there's nasty stuff out there on the internet."

It's frustrating to hear this warning clarioned over and over again. We're gamers ourselves, after all. We know easily children can get in over their heads on the internet. "Be careful," intone the experts. "Watch carefully, and be very, very careful ..." But how? What must we be careful to do? To not do? What does "being careful" mean in actual practice? Specific online safety tactics - and putting them into practice without driving anyone crazy in the process - become an epic quest reward that always manages to stay two turn-ins out of reach.

As we mentioned last week, your main objective as the parent of a young MMO player is to remain figuratively logged in to their activity. When children are online, parents cannot afford to be figuratively AFK. We're not suggesting you pull up a chair and some popcorn to faithfully oversee kids' every move online. No child needs direct supervision to kill 10 rats (or pick 20 flowers or befriend 30 fairies or frag 50 enemies ...). But young gamers do need your boundaries and your guidance (as well as your feedback, your enthusiasm and your support). Just how strong the boundaries should be will depend on the age of your child and the game that they're playing. Apply common sense, based on your own MMO experience, along with these 17 tactics for safe online gaming.

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MMO Family: 17 internet safety tactics for gaming families originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>authenticatorchat-channelchildrencode-of-conductcyberbullyingfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedguildshandlekidsmannersnetiquetteparental-controlsparentspasswordroutersafetysecuritystrong-passwordsupervisiontrollvirus-protectionvoice-chatFri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Log in to your kids' gaming interests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/mmo-family-log-in-to-your-kids-gaming-interests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/mmo-family-log-in-to-your-kids-gaming-interests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/mmo-family-log-in-to-your-kids-gaming-interests/#commentsFiled under: Tips and tricks, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family. From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Are you leveling a pack of MMO gamers? Welcome to MMO Family, where we look at tips for families who love MMOs. Should you be keeping an eye on your kids while they game? (Yes!) How can you do that without seeming heavy-handed? (Stay tuned.) Are MMOs appropriate for young kids? (Sure!) Which ones? (Coming soon ...) What MMOs might your family enjoy playing all together? Should you be using parental control devices and tools? What are the best ways to quickly gauge the age-appropriateness of a game? There's a lot to cover when it comes to leveling a family of gamers, so let's breeze through the tutorial and tap our first topic.

As the parent of a young MMO player, your main strategy is to remain figuratively logged in to whatever they're doing. There's no AFKing when it comes to parenting. Every parent knows they need to get involved in their children's extracurricular hobbies. We want to know what they're doing, who they're with, whether they're safe, whether they're enjoying themselves, if what they're doing is a productive source of life lessons as well a good, old-fashioned fun ... What you might not have considered is that kids' gaming deserves the same level of scrutiny and support as, say, their karate classes or violin lessons. Whatever captivates your child's imagination should also attract your parental periscope.

We're not suggesting you plop down and dutifully watch every move as your child logs in to kill 10 rats (or pick 20 flowers or befriend 30 fairies or frag 50 enemies ...). Frankly, no gamer wants or needs a hall monitor. But young gamers do need your boundaries, your guidance, your feedback, your enthusiasm, your support - all the same things you'd bring to their piano recitals or baseball games.

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MMO Family: Log in to your kids' gaming interests originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>childrenfamilyfamily-funfamily-gamingfeaturedkidsparentssupervisionFri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST