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My son's birthday wishlist. . . at 12. .*update*

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Originally posted by: Eghck
Originally posted by: episodic
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Don't let him play MMORPGs if you have one good parenting bone in your body.
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Elaborate so that I know whats going on. As I said, I've never played them.
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Its a tough game to just pick up and play for a short while. Instances (quests) usually take a few hours on minimum and more than likely he will make friends. The problem becomes when the rest of your new friends want to do an instance and you're needed. I don't know how much self control he has, but he'll most likely never want to stop playing until he finishes an instance he started, no matter how long its taking. He also might not want to stop playing in the fear that he's going to miss something.
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Hmm, ok. I'm sensing you guys are telling me this is addictive and probably not a good thing.

I guess I'll just get him the ram and the tablet. . .
 
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Don't let him play MMORPGs if you have one good parenting bone in your body.
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Let him instead experiment with drugs and unprotected sex like other kids his age. It's more healthy?

I played Ultima Online from age... 12 I think to age 16 or so. The kids I used to hang out with in elementary school become obsessed with expensive clothing, drugs, sex with as many people as possible, or whatnot. (Hence why we drifted apart, I'm not into that stuff)

I don't see how they're any better off than me. Some people are social, others aren't.
 
Originally posted by: Agnostos Insania
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Don't let him play MMORPGs if you have one good parenting bone in your body.
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Let him instead experiment with drugs and unprotected sex like other kids his age. It's more healthy?

I played Ultima Online from age... 12 I think to age 16 or so. The kids I used to hang out with in elementary school become obsessed with expensive clothing, drugs, sex with as many people as possible, or whatnot. (Hence why we drifted apart, I'm not into that stuff)

I don't see how they're any better off than me. Some people are social, others aren't.
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I kind of feel the same way. At least he is home and safe. There are MUCH WORSE hobbies.
 
Originally posted by: episodic
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Don't let him play MMORPGs if you have one good parenting bone in your body.
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Elaborate so that I know whats going on. As I said, I've never played them.
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I, in all honesty, would not let an adolescent play an MMORPG. At that emotionally tumuluous time in their lives it would be WAY too easy to just sink into a virtual world and shelter yourself there and end up a socially and emotionally stunted shrub who missed out on a lot of life while waiting for raid groups.

He should be out there committing misdemeanors and getting dumped by chicks and picked on by bullies and discriminated against by authority figures.......all the things that serve as life lessons as we journey into adulthood.

Not sure what you should do about it. I was stressing over this, but so far we've only had girls who are FAR less disposed towards fixating on video games. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: UncleWai
I would rather give my son crack than WOW if I have to choose.
mmorpg is just too addicitive. I can easily spend 24+ hours playing ultima online instead of doing my school work. For a 12 yo kid, I seriously don't think he has enough restrain to play mmorpg yet.
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lol, come on. I know kids who've been playing computer games since they were five and they are still great kids. Then there's sixteen year olds who aren't allowed to play even most T rated games who are really horrible kids. As long as you raise your child properly no harm will be done.
 
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: UncleWai
I would rather give my son crack than WOW if I have to choose.
mmorpg is just too addicitive. I can easily spend 24+ hours playing ultima online instead of doing my school work. For a 12 yo kid, I seriously don't think he has enough restrain to play mmorpg yet.
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lol, come on. I know kids who've been playing computer games since they were five and they are still great kids. Then there's sixteen year olds who aren't allowed to play even most T rated games who are really horrible kids. As long as you raise your child properly no harm will be done.
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Computer games are one thing. MMORPGs are different.
 
Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Computer games are one thing. MMORPGs are different.
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How so? Just because they take a long time to beat? If it's because you're worried about pedophiles asking for personal information that's one thing, but the whole OMGADDICTION thing is something I don't understand. Just set rules that he can not play MMORPGs (or any games for that matter) until he finishes his homework, chores, and anything else. Then let him do whatever he wants (within reason, of course) the rest of the day.
 
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
if you give him wow, he will not play outside and get a gut
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Not if he works out and doesn't eat junk food. Seriously, you people probably hear about a fucked up woman leaving her child in a car to die so she can play some WoW, and then assume that the addiction applies to everyone.
 
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
if you give him wow, he will not play outside and get a gut
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Not if he works out and doesn't eat junk food. Seriously, you people probably hear about a ****** up woman leaving her child in a car to die so she can play some WoW, and then assume that the addiction applies to everyone.
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no. This is the first time and that lady needs to get shot.
 
Originally posted by: HamburgerBoy
Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Computer games are one thing. MMORPGs are different.
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How so? Just because they take a long time to beat? If it's because you're worried about pedophiles asking for personal information that's one thing, but the whole OMGADDICTION thing is something I don't understand. Just set rules that he can not play MMORPGs (or any games for that matter) until he finishes his homework, chores, and anything else. Then let him do whatever he wants (within reason, of course) the rest of the day.
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In this case I suppose there is the issue of value. You're paying a monthly fee, yet you aren't able to maximize your investment. And then theres the argument that children should go outside and exercise, or intereact personally with other kids instead of behind a computer. Personally I think any entertainment that requires a monthly fee should be paid by the person who wants it since its a luxury. Much like having a cell phone or cable tv.
 
I would say give him the RAM and Tablet. As for the WoW, I probably would give that to him around Christmastime (unless his bday is around that time). Give him the chance to be creative, and then spoil him later on with some MMORPG. 😉😉 j/k

IMHO, MMORPGs are extremely addicting and require a lot of self-control -- e.g., how much time you want to spend playing it. That, you have to brief him on some online gaming safety issues... (e.g., don't give out your age, etc.)

You're a pretty kewl dad to even check with the geeks here for your son's present preferences. Best of luck with shopping! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: episodic
He wants a 6 month subscription to WOW.
He wants an Nvidia Midrange Card to upgrade his 5200fx.
He wants a wacom graphire 4 for his newfound graphics hobby. . .
He wants more ram.


Sigh. . . I'm raising a little me.
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1 - WoW is addictive, make him work for this one

2 - At 12 he probably can't afford this, that new G8600GS looks nice

3 - This actually might make him learn something, buy it.

4 - I doubt he can afford this so buy it for him.

With all that said and done, just make sure your son can balance his hobbies out. 😉
 
I have to agree with pretty much everyone on this thead.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT GET HIM WOW. PLEASE. DON'T! GET HIM EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING EXCEPT WOW.

That is all. 🙂
 
just realized, wow is pretty ram intensive, AND it probably won't look pretty on his FX5200. Just 2 more reasons not to get it at this time.
 
Originally posted by: Eghck
In this case I suppose there is the issue of value. You're paying a monthly fee, yet you aren't able to maximize your investment. And then theres the argument that children should go outside and exercise, or intereact personally with other kids instead of behind a computer. Personally I think any entertainment that requires a monthly fee should be paid by the person who wants it since its a luxury. Much like having a cell phone or cable tv.
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Sure, of course someone doesn't want to spend money on something and not get every last penny back in value. But with six months of gameplay, even a game like WoW can get boring, and if he is the type of kid to spend money often anyways, the idea of wasting cash won't bother him as much. Not that I'm saying he should spend money often, of course.
 
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