To the Fathers of RIG- How to deal with the "talk"

The "Talk" with your kids
A Guide from fathers across the world on how to do the talk best on these touchy subjects

LMAO

It's important for them to know: 1. That Han Solo shot first

The Jar Jar Binks hate haha

And the music at the end makes this just epic



And then, while I went on to write this post here, the next video started in the other tab:

I'm Sam Seborah! Welcome to "My Body, My Style"! Where I'll help real women with real bodies face their biggest style challenges!

:cyclops:

Although, once TOR is released lots of people will be able to say they shot first, it's a Gunslinger ability and I really wonder how it works...

"I never want my son growing up in a world where Greedo shot first."

/tear

A 4 years old Yoda fans!

I think that Star Wars is really popular with the younger crowd. I wonder how many people will play TOR with their kids.

I love it!!

So I am looking for a little advice, or at least food for thought. My son is 11 he should be 12 around release. If they stick to spring 2011. He has told me multiple times he wants to play a trooper. I am trying to decide if I will let him play or not. He has never played an mmorpg before. He has however played KOTOR and loved it. I would love to play an mmo with him. As I have said before I am a fairly casual gamer. I believe this would be a great time for us. I am worried about the mmo experience as a whole which is part of the reason for becoming involved at RIG. What do you guys think? Is 12 to young? Should I go for it?
I had some really great times playing DAOC and vanilla WOW. Recently I have been less interested though. It could be a lot of fun though too. Somewhat conflicted

Dretch wrote:

. What do you guys think? Is 12 to young? Should I go for it?

I don't see why not He wouldn't be the youngest, I'm sure. And 12 isn't too young. I think he'll have a great time and definatly a good thing you're in the same MMO to make sure he's experiencing the best a game has to offer. Should he meet the random bad player, you'd know how to deal with it and could explain to him how people can be stupid much like in real life.

I say, go for it

I don't see a problem as long as you're an active father in his life on MMO's as well, which I'm sure you are.

So, sounds ok to me.

Like the others said 12 years old isn't that young, although you need to make sure to support him (make sure he doesn't take bad habits).

The one thing I would be concerned with is the game addiction factor. It is a reality of these games though not like the idiot conservatives protray it as. I've found myself playing mmos more than I intended simply because I wanted to hang out with my in-game friends. This is fine imo so long as it doesn't take the place of RL which can become a possibility. My recommendation on that point would be to limit the amount of hours your kids can play a day. RL friends are more important for a child's development than in-game ones.

Thanks everyone! Good info. I am leaning towards letting him play. I think some solid ground rules will need to be in place first though.

Dretch wrote:

Thanks everyone! Good info. I am leaning towards letting him play. I think some solid ground rules will need to be in place first though.

A very good idea, and like I said...it sounds like you're definitely wanting to be involved and knowledgeable of what he actually does while gaming, or how long he would or how often. Sounds like you've got it under control.

With our four month old we are going to set rules for TV in his first two years - ie. not much if any at all. Then gradually little bits as he gets older, carefully monitoring what, when and how much he watches.

So I guess when I get my son into gaming it'll be the same principle and definitely so with MMOs. He will only play when I play and he won't be doing much soloing to start with.

Then the older he gets or at least the more capable then I will gradually start to let go a little. Just my two creds worth.

Lugaidh wrote:

The one thing I would be concerned with is the game addiction factor. It is a reality of these games though not like the idiot conservatives protray it as. I've found myself playing mmos more than I intended simply because I wanted to hang out with my in-game friends. This is fine imo so long as it doesn't take the place of RL which can become a possibility. My recommendation on that point would be to limit the amount of hours your kids can play a day. RL friends are more important for a child's development than in-game ones.

I agree with Lewg there,

I had never played an MMO before SWG launch in 2003, and, I ended up getting so hooked that I was playing 10 hours a day at times! I was 31 at the time, the owner of a dj company, and a military vet...so...if can happen to me, it DEFINITELY can happen to a much more impressionable 12 year old. I would just recommend caution. Maybe "play hour(s)" for him?? Not trying to tell you anything at all. Just offering suggestions

Hope that helps ya a bit

I love it.