video game joy/ DS question
[email protected]
First of all- I'm cross posting this at Always Unschooled and
Unschooling Basics just so you know.
Video Game Joy here now! Well, I just wanted to say that we, no "I"
have seen the light about how cool video games can be. I never really
played them growing up (we had an Atari that I sometimes used to play
Frogger or Pac Man, that's it). Ds, 8 has really been into computer
games the last year or two, playing stuff like Civilization & Roman
Empire. He started asking for a playstation after using the
neighbors. At that point, we didn't even have a TV (hadn't had one for
4 years or so, left it behind when we moved into our solar powered home
to save power).
But we decided to go for it, get a TV, get Direct TV, and get the
playstation for Christmas. We are so psyched! I am LOVING having TV
again, which suprises me SO much since I typically used to read
whenever dh was watching TV before. Now honestly, I need a break from
reading every night (plus I think I've read everything I want to from
our small rural library that doesn't do interlibrary loan!). It's been
a lot of fun for us to watch TV at night when the kids are in bed (they
prefer to head to bed early)- even if we do wind up watching reruns of
Law & Order most night, not reruns to us since we haven't seen any of
them:)
So, we love the playstation- I can actually play the LEGO games with
both kids. I think we might look for a Wii next year too, it looks
really cool and would be fun to do together. Right now we take turns
doing 2 player games together. I wish we had done this sooner... the
kids are really enjoying having access to Nick and Disney (dd, 6) and
History & Discovery (ds, 8), plus the playstation. AND- even though
some days they play it alot or watch a lot of TV, they still want to do
arts and crafts, walk the dogs, ski in the woods, etc, so all that
worrying I was doing was for nothing really....
OK, I have a question about the Nintendo DS- my dd, 6 has a hard time
playing the playstation games- she picked out a princess one and
strawberry shortcake, but has difficulty moving the character and
finding the "clues" in the games, plus her brother uses it much more
often than she does. We are thinking of getting her a DS to use with
her own "girl games" (she calles them that). But I want to know if the
DS is easier to use with the way it's designed and if the games are
easier, or less involved than the ps2 games. She is interested in the
littlest pet shop game so far. She does use the computer for games
like Dora and Jumpstart where you mostly just point and click with the
mouse.
It's been good for "me" to read the recent threads about gaming & I'm
so excited that we decided to add these new things to our lives! Of
course, now we really need more sunny days to up our power supply!
Amanda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Unschooling Basics just so you know.
Video Game Joy here now! Well, I just wanted to say that we, no "I"
have seen the light about how cool video games can be. I never really
played them growing up (we had an Atari that I sometimes used to play
Frogger or Pac Man, that's it). Ds, 8 has really been into computer
games the last year or two, playing stuff like Civilization & Roman
Empire. He started asking for a playstation after using the
neighbors. At that point, we didn't even have a TV (hadn't had one for
4 years or so, left it behind when we moved into our solar powered home
to save power).
But we decided to go for it, get a TV, get Direct TV, and get the
playstation for Christmas. We are so psyched! I am LOVING having TV
again, which suprises me SO much since I typically used to read
whenever dh was watching TV before. Now honestly, I need a break from
reading every night (plus I think I've read everything I want to from
our small rural library that doesn't do interlibrary loan!). It's been
a lot of fun for us to watch TV at night when the kids are in bed (they
prefer to head to bed early)- even if we do wind up watching reruns of
Law & Order most night, not reruns to us since we haven't seen any of
them:)
So, we love the playstation- I can actually play the LEGO games with
both kids. I think we might look for a Wii next year too, it looks
really cool and would be fun to do together. Right now we take turns
doing 2 player games together. I wish we had done this sooner... the
kids are really enjoying having access to Nick and Disney (dd, 6) and
History & Discovery (ds, 8), plus the playstation. AND- even though
some days they play it alot or watch a lot of TV, they still want to do
arts and crafts, walk the dogs, ski in the woods, etc, so all that
worrying I was doing was for nothing really....
OK, I have a question about the Nintendo DS- my dd, 6 has a hard time
playing the playstation games- she picked out a princess one and
strawberry shortcake, but has difficulty moving the character and
finding the "clues" in the games, plus her brother uses it much more
often than she does. We are thinking of getting her a DS to use with
her own "girl games" (she calles them that). But I want to know if the
DS is easier to use with the way it's designed and if the games are
easier, or less involved than the ps2 games. She is interested in the
littlest pet shop game so far. She does use the computer for games
like Dora and Jumpstart where you mostly just point and click with the
mouse.
It's been good for "me" to read the recent threads about gaming & I'm
so excited that we decided to add these new things to our lives! Of
course, now we really need more sunny days to up our power supply!
Amanda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lisa
Both of my younger kids have had the DS since they were 4 or 5... I
think they handled those better than playing the Playstation at a
younger age. One thing that I have always reminded my kids of when
they get frustrated with any type of game is that playing games is
like learning a sport or anything else you have to practice and doing
it perfectly or just right doesn't just happen normally the first
time. I try to help them understand that the fun is playing it again
and again until you get better and better at it. Now at ages 13 and
7 they are so thrilled to come tell me they are now at level 10 or
whatever in their games. They love to take the DS along in the car
or whenever we have to wait somewhere. I really think younger kids
like the DS because it's small and just theirs... it's sure made alot
of long waits and long trips more pleasant!
We also have a Gamecube, Playstation , Playstation 2 and now a Wii and
they are my biggest video gamers... my older two play here and there
but aren't that into it and never have been. Each of them have
certain types of games that they seem to be better at than others.
We are all enjoying the Wii as a family though so I highly recommend that!
Lisa B
think they handled those better than playing the Playstation at a
younger age. One thing that I have always reminded my kids of when
they get frustrated with any type of game is that playing games is
like learning a sport or anything else you have to practice and doing
it perfectly or just right doesn't just happen normally the first
time. I try to help them understand that the fun is playing it again
and again until you get better and better at it. Now at ages 13 and
7 they are so thrilled to come tell me they are now at level 10 or
whatever in their games. They love to take the DS along in the car
or whenever we have to wait somewhere. I really think younger kids
like the DS because it's small and just theirs... it's sure made alot
of long waits and long trips more pleasant!
We also have a Gamecube, Playstation , Playstation 2 and now a Wii and
they are my biggest video gamers... my older two play here and there
but aren't that into it and never have been. Each of them have
certain types of games that they seem to be better at than others.
We are all enjoying the Wii as a family though so I highly recommend that!
Lisa B
--- In [email protected], bokusfam@... wrote:
>
>
>
> First of all- I'm cross posting this at Always Unschooled and
> Unschooling Basics just so you know.
>
> Video Game Joy here now! Well, I just wanted to say that we, no "I"
> have seen the light about how cool video games can be. I never really
> played them growing up (we had an Atari that I sometimes used to play
> Frogger or Pac Man, that's it). Ds, 8 has really been into computer
> games the last year or two, playing stuff like Civilization & Roman
> Empire. He started asking for a playstation after using the
> neighbors. At that point, we didn't even have a TV (hadn't had one for
> 4 years or so, left it behind when we moved into our solar powered home
> to save power).
>
> But we decided to go for it, get a TV, get Direct TV, and get the
> playstation for Christmas. We are so psyched! I am LOVING having TV
> again, which suprises me SO much since I typically used to read
> whenever dh was watching TV before. Now honestly, I need a break from
> reading every night (plus I think I've read everything I want to from
> our small rural library that doesn't do interlibrary loan!). It's been
> a lot of fun for us to watch TV at night when the kids are in bed (they
> prefer to head to bed early)- even if we do wind up watching reruns of
> Law & Order most night, not reruns to us since we haven't seen any of
> them:)
>
> So, we love the playstation- I can actually play the LEGO games with
> both kids. I think we might look for a Wii next year too, it looks
> really cool and would be fun to do together. Right now we take turns
> doing 2 player games together. I wish we had done this sooner... the
> kids are really enjoying having access to Nick and Disney (dd, 6) and
> History & Discovery (ds, 8), plus the playstation. AND- even though
> some days they play it alot or watch a lot of TV, they still want to do
> arts and crafts, walk the dogs, ski in the woods, etc, so all that
> worrying I was doing was for nothing really....
>
> OK, I have a question about the Nintendo DS- my dd, 6 has a hard time
> playing the playstation games- she picked out a princess one and
> strawberry shortcake, but has difficulty moving the character and
> finding the "clues" in the games, plus her brother uses it much more
> often than she does. We are thinking of getting her a DS to use with
> her own "girl games" (she calles them that). But I want to know if the
> DS is easier to use with the way it's designed and if the games are
> easier, or less involved than the ps2 games. She is interested in the
> littlest pet shop game so far. She does use the computer for games
> like Dora and Jumpstart where you mostly just point and click with the
> mouse.
>
> It's been good for "me" to read the recent threads about gaming & I'm
> so excited that we decided to add these new things to our lives! Of
> course, now we really need more sunny days to up our power supply!
> Amanda
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
raisingexplorers
We are having video game LOVE here, too. DS6 just bought SPORE for the
PC. I have to admit, it's the coolest video game I've ever seen. (Of
course, we're used to playing Original NES from the 1980s), but still.
We're having so much fun trying to win the levels together. It's a
real blast.... and the game is so dog gone complicated, it leaves very
little room to think that it's *just* a game... with all these
complicated choices, moves, consequences, and story line involved....
we all have to be learning something. LOLOL The real challenge will be
learning how to stop playing this game long enough to do some laundry
around here. *totally sucked in*** LOLOL
Candy Cook
PC. I have to admit, it's the coolest video game I've ever seen. (Of
course, we're used to playing Original NES from the 1980s), but still.
We're having so much fun trying to win the levels together. It's a
real blast.... and the game is so dog gone complicated, it leaves very
little room to think that it's *just* a game... with all these
complicated choices, moves, consequences, and story line involved....
we all have to be learning something. LOLOL The real challenge will be
learning how to stop playing this game long enough to do some laundry
around here. *totally sucked in*** LOLOL
Candy Cook
Debra Rossing
In some ways the DS is easier - among other things, a DS Lite (Same
abilities, slightly smaller footprint fits smaller hands better) has a
bit more "natural" feel to it because you often are using the stylus to
point to things, move things, pick up things, etc. If you've got a game
place like GameStop in your area, you can pick them up used for a good
bit less than new but still in good condition (and if it does glitch on
you, they're really good about taking it back). I'd say go for it - and
if it turns out not a good fit, GameStop type places will "buy" them
back, usually in store credit but that's stuff you can use to get other
games for your existing console.
Deb R
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abilities, slightly smaller footprint fits smaller hands better) has a
bit more "natural" feel to it because you often are using the stylus to
point to things, move things, pick up things, etc. If you've got a game
place like GameStop in your area, you can pick them up used for a good
bit less than new but still in good condition (and if it does glitch on
you, they're really good about taking it back). I'd say go for it - and
if it turns out not a good fit, GameStop type places will "buy" them
back, usually in store credit but that's stuff you can use to get other
games for your existing console.
Deb R
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This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
CNC Software, Inc.
www.mastercam.com
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Debra Rossing
LOL videogames help DH stay sane while he's doing laundry - he puts a
load in the washer, games until he gets to a save point AND the wash is
done, saves, pauses, wash into dryer/new load into washer, back to
game...we have the PS2 often hooked up in the finished area of the
basement so he doesn't need to go up and down stairs - we even have a
mini fridge down there for keeping water bottles cool and storing
snacks. Alas, during the winter we don't like leaving the game system
down there so he does go up and down stairs but still times the gaming -
if the wet clothes have to wait 2 minutes before going in the dryer, it
hasn't seemed to hurt them any.
Deb R
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intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
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This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
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CNC Software, Inc.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
load in the washer, games until he gets to a save point AND the wash is
done, saves, pauses, wash into dryer/new load into washer, back to
game...we have the PS2 often hooked up in the finished area of the
basement so he doesn't need to go up and down stairs - we even have a
mini fridge down there for keeping water bottles cool and storing
snacks. Alas, during the winter we don't like leaving the game system
down there so he does go up and down stairs but still times the gaming -
if the wet clothes have to wait 2 minutes before going in the dryer, it
hasn't seemed to hurt them any.
Deb R
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This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
CNC Software, Inc.
www.mastercam.com
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Michelle Cloud
Spore is an awesome game. I've gone through it a few times and made a bunch of characters/creations. I've been an herbavore, omnivore, and carnivore. I've been to space a much of times, terraformed planets, but I've never completely finished the space age just because it became redundant to me. But, the first few ages are a lot of fun!
Michelle
************************************
"Just as eating against one's will is injurious to health, so study without a liking for it spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in."
--Leonardo da Vinci
Michelle
************************************
"Just as eating against one's will is injurious to health, so study without a liking for it spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in."
--Leonardo da Vinci
----- Original Message -----
From: raisingexplorers
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:38 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Re: video game joy/ DS question
We are having video game LOVE here, too. DS6 just bought SPORE for the
PC. I have to admit, it's the coolest video game I've ever seen. (Of
course, we're used to playing Original NES from the 1980s), but still.
We're having so much fun trying to win the levels together. It's a
real blast.... and the game is so dog gone complicated, it leaves very
little room to think that it's *just* a game... with all these
complicated choices, moves, consequences, and story line involved....
we all have to be learning something. LOLOL The real challenge will be
learning how to stop playing this game long enough to do some laundry
around here. *totally sucked in*** LOLOL
Candy Cook
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]