You'd think that after all this time, parents would learn to live with video games. But even now, games are often a problem and a distraction that prevent kids from doing what they should be (like, say, their homework). Well, 79-year-old John Morrisey has the solution.
This little device is a timer that parents can attach to a video game system. After a set amount of time, the timer will completely shut off the console.
This sounds harsh to me. I can see how kids might get so into their games that they will "forget" to go do what they are asked to. I can even understand why parents would want to limit the time their children spend playing video games.
But being a gamer myself, this system is just plain cruel. It's one thing to wait until I can save and then turn off my game... but for the system to just... shut down? I remember a few times when I spent an insane amount of time just looking for a save point in Eternal Sonata so I could finally quit. I would have been so frustrated if the system suddenly lost power.
This whole thing makes me think of those child leashes that parents put on their toddlers (I'm sure you've seen them: they usually take the form of cute animal backpacks, probably to draw attention off the fact that you're walking your child around like a dog). I strongly believe that parents get those leashes because they don't trust in their ability to control their child. Same goes for this timer.
The article that talks about this device mentions that it's just a "glorified egg timer." So why not just use an egg timer? Are the people who would buy this so distrusting of their own ability to get their children to listen?
Do you think the video game timer is a good idea? Do you think it will actually sell? Would you ever use it... and why?
Comments (38)
Yes even I am adult now, I can award myself after doing some job searching.
My grandfather had a device like that.......his hand, it pulled the power cord out, quite simple lol
@AlterEgo909@xanga - lol! The best method to date.
You bring up an interesting point with save points in games. Like, what's the excuse for still having them anymore in this age of hard drives and limited playing time?
Sucks if you just happen to be saving your game (you know, since your time is up) and this GameDr decides its going to shut down your console anyways. Corrupted save files aren't fun.
It would make a great April Fools prank though =).
Aw no, this sounds horrible. If I were a parent, I'd never use that. It's always very frustrating to lose your game data.
Limit your kid's game time, fine -- but don't just shut off the console to do it. I'll admit that I used the whole save point thing as an excuse in my younger years -- as in "oh, but I can't find a save point, I guess I'll have to keep looking for another hour or so..." -- but I've always had the thought that if you're a parent and your kid says that, you could just sit there and watch to make sure they're not pulling a fast one on you. And if you as the parent don't know what the save point looks like, then maybe you should invest a little time in finding out instead of pulling the plug to save face.
I would never use that timer I am a gamer myself. I just take it from the kids and find the save point myself.
But I have used those leashes for kids...and it was a godsend. It is easier on the child than having to hold your hand WAYYY above their head as well as making sure that the kids didn't get lost simlpy because my attention was taken for half a second (it happens all the time).
That's horrible!Â
I wouldn't have to use it for my kids, they listen to me. My husband on the other hand, the game he plays now is one you can save at any point, and he won't get off it for anything.
i'll give you a better addiction: porn.
good luck with breaking that.
Good way to destroy data, maybe even cause head crashes in hard drive based systems.
What ever happened to telling the kid to turn the damned thing off. Or willpower.
I'd get one of those if I had kids, so that when the system turned off I could play (sans game timer).
btw, isn't the name "game dr." already taken. I believe game dr. is like a disc cleaner/scratch remover.
I think it's stupid. If you have to rely on a device to discipline your kids for you, I personally think you failed as a parent. But that's just me :)
F*** NO! THAT'S CRUEL AND UNUSUAL TORTURE! As a gamer, I would be highly pissed if that happened to me. I would break/kill something. Not even kidding. And then, just to spite my parents, I would flat out refuse to do what it was that they asked me. And that's no joke.
I think the best way is delete the game when you come to something you have to do. (like when you have exam, test, marriage) Just delete the stuff, so you won't even think of playing it.
And really, don't play RPG game, and especially online RPG, it is really time consuming, and you can hardly get out of it.
And I think those hand-carry games like PSP are also bad, people just keep on playing it where ever they are.
This game timer is probably a good idea, but it just makes the kids hate their parents when they can't find a save point in time.
@xocomaox@xanga - that's for sure, but I think parents would rather let the kids go play some game.
I wouldn't mind to stop gaming for my entire life if my parents introduce me some hot girls.
@kawcha@xanga - And ironically, if you stopped gaming, you would probably have better luck finding some hot girls (without your parent's help). At least that's what I hear. <<
It's cruel and can ruin some systems.
My kids get off when I tell them. Sometimes some stalling but nothing that can't be handled.
How about this: start involving yourself in your child's life and stop inventing devices to do the work for you. It's called parenting.
@Rob_of_the_Sky@xanga - The copyright name Game Dr. is indeed already taken. I just took the liberty of sending a notification email to their main address. Their legal team should be on the matter within days.
This is hilarious. I agree with Alterego. I'm pretty sure my mom yanked us up by our arms and threatened to get us with a slipper. It got us moving! So no need to ruin the game or miss out on saving.
Pretty harsh to me either. Being a gamer and parent as well, that disciplinary action is unfair. I believe that everything can be done with a nice chat with my teenage son, about the when to start and end the game. Sometimes, he joins me grinding wow gold during weekends, a great father and son bonding and we always had a blast! By the way, is that device already out in the market?
i would use it on anyone but myself
xP
but if you just finished a long dungeon
and beat the boss
and unlocked new things
and you go to the save poitt
then
SWICK!!
you gotta do it
all over again
tomorrow
and faster
mwahahhaa
[if it happenes to someone else]
It will sell to the same parents with kiddie leashes. The same parents who will probably put a curfew on their child until they are 21. The same ones who will never learn to parent a child or to raise them.