| Author |
Message |
    
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 2372
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 9:35 pm: | 
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You decide.
My 4th grader loves this game, and all of his friends like it too. I don't know what to think.
The other day he was being followed around by chairs. Tonight he was engaged in a deep discussion about kabobs with two men dressed in medieval robes.
It is time-consuming, violent, promotes bad moral decisions and allows interaction with questionable associates. It does look like fun, though. |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 3106
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 9:18 am: |
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My middle son fell in love with it in 4th grade and now, in 6th grade, has levelled off a bit. I had the same worries as you express--violence and who he is talking to, since it is an open environment where stalkers could easily exist--you can interact with people all over the world.
We constantly go over the rules--do not give out your name, never answer IMs or emails from anyone who you do not know in the real world--and so far he is good about it. I often wander in and watch what he is doing, and we enjoy sharing it together. He is very proud about explaining this world and his accomplishments to me (and I get to see who he is talking with).
The bonuses outweigh the negatives so far for me. The violence is less intense and important to the game than in many video games. The ability to be creative and play colleagially with other friends is really nice. And his computer skills and typing skills have improved a lot.
Even better for us has been Age of Empires, which is not interactive, but has really spurred an interest in history, social development, and political economics. He started this in 4th as well. Yeah, he still loves burning down castles or shooting up teepees with an army from modern times, but to get there, he has to build a town, make sure they have enough food and crops, develop an infrastructure, etc., and not lose sight of these while he is attacking someone else. He has a much better understanding for all sorts of ancient cultures, now. Kind of like Sims (which he also loves) except with ancient cultures. |
mim
Citizen
Username: Mim
Post Number: 570
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:52 am: |
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Our kids are obsessed too, as well you know, nan! I have also been through all the warnings that esl suggests, so I pray safety will not an issue. I'm most concerned with the sheer waste of time. They seem perfectly content to play for hours on end. Clearly I will have to step in and establish some limits -- I have hoped it would just get old and that would be that, but so far, that's not happening... |
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 2373
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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Good points, esl and thanks for the Age of Empires recomendation. Is that available on Gamecube or just PC?
Mim,
Are you ready to start a Runescape Parents' support group with me? :-) Please let me know what limits you set so I can enforce the same ones at the same time.
I find it is hardest to drag him off when one of his friends is playing. If I knew when the friends were also being dragged off it would be a big help. |
CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 2005
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 8:24 pm: |
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nan and all, I just checked the website for Runescape and it says you must be 13 to play. Did you know that?
Quote:This website is targeted at, and intended for an audience of 13 years and older. It may contain features that are not suitable for children under that age. If you are under the age of 13 you must not create an account or provide us with any personal information unless you have the consent of a parent/guardian, and it is permitted by applicable law. Furthermore if you are under the age of 18 please ask your parents/guardian to accept these terms+conditions on your behalf before you use this website.
Your call, obviously - but if you are concerned, you could use the age limits as a reason to get your kid to stop playing. Also obviously, your kid could continue to play behind your back if you forbid it, and I don't really know how to prevent that.
I'd be less worried about the violence of the game than I would be about weirdos online. And even that is overplayed, probably. But there are still adult social dynamics in any RPG and kids can be emotionally vulnerable in these situations, even if they're not physically at risk. |
Kiba
Citizen
Username: Radical_kiba
Post Number: 59
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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I've heard of runescape and I know people who play it...but in here in the high school all I hear about is World Of Warcraft. (WOW.)
it really takes over one's life. :/
I prefer gaiaonline. :D |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 5940
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:01 pm: |
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I just started playing...its kind of interesting in its way, but AOE is better and faster |
mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 386
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 7:19 am: |
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Nan;
Our limits:
School night: homework completed first, 30 minutes max of computer time or TV. Runscape currently #1, of course
Weekend: one hour max if playing alone, but we're pretty weak when your son is over and we know that's all they really want to do!
I have to say we've had some good conversations about why we place these limits, what we think about the "values" promoted by the game, what the concerns are regarding safety, etc., so it's not all wasted time. J was very into having an official "debate" about it last night, and it was pretty fun.
We're ready to invest in Age of Empires.......... |
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