Childrens first person shooters?

Sleepery said:
I thought about it for a long time to be honest. I wouldn't let my kids near anything that involves pointing a gun at someone, they're just too young. They've been given access to the xbox, where it's a game I can play along with them, or something that they need to think about to play - puzzles and stuff that requires lateral thinking. They're also strictly limited to the weekend for gaming, it just interferes with homework otherwise.

Before I ever had kids I watched my nephew turn into a little vegetable playing hours and hours of PS2 games from the age he could hold a controller, and it scared the hell out of me. I have one particularly vivid memory of him kicking the crap out of a bystander repeatedly in GTA. He's in his teens now and has serious concentration issues, to the point that he has to have someone beside him in exams to keep him on track.

Quite possibly a completely separate issue, but it scared the bejeesus out of me nonetheless. I don't even let my kids SEE me playing shooters or anything remotely violent.
Click to expand...

I agree. I've got a 2 1/2 year old son and I don't let him see me play games, let alone allow him to play. I know he's half the age of the OPs daughter, but I can't see my policy changing for a few years yet.

If you want her to play something, have a look on the CBeebies website for a general idea of the types of games which are recommended. I don't think you will find many shooters, however.
 
Tombstone said:
How about you read my posts earlier in the thread regarding FPS? Not all FPS have to have blood and death in them , try thinking outside the box. For example read my earlier post regarding a FPS where you have a paintgun and have to shoot the right coloured paint at corresponding paint "signs" in order to solve puzzles.

I've already said that she doesnt play BC2 or MoH, nor would I let her, hence the whole point of the thread. She has over £600 worth of Playmobil stuff, she has literally dozens of "boardgames" that we play, she has several dozen books, she is very active on her scooter and her bike, she is rated Grade 7 in the weekly evening Gymnastics school that she attends. She has a multitude of different things that we do... she also likes to play the games on Cbeebies and Nickjr websites and plays slightly more advanced stuff like the Lego PC games from time to time. All in all, I would say she is very well rounded.

The point of the thread was to see if there were any games (I suspected there might not be) which involve the general movement mechanics of a first person shooter (ie, first person, aiming, "firing" and the physics of the reaction to that act) which would be suitable for a young child. Although to be honest I did fully expect the PC liberal brigade to jump down my throat without thinking outside the box and assuming that every fps in existence must equal body parts, gore and M60s. So far though , thats been largely avoided, which I think is a testament to those people who have wanted to help rather than condemn on the forum.
Click to expand...

Apologies for not "thinking outside the box". And don't take it so personal, I wasn't having a go at just you - it was somebody else that said they let their kid play MOH and BC2 with the sound/gore off. I don't know anything about you or your daughter, other than what you've presented in this thread.

However, the very fact that you're looking for a video game of 'FPS style' for your five year old daughter made me question whether a child of that age should have such an interest in video games. It's a discussion forum, I didn't jump down your throat - I just raised the point.

Also, don't misuse the term 'PC liberal brigade'. :p
 
slylittlefox said:
However, the very fact that you're looking for a video game of 'FPS style' for your five year old daughter made me question whether a child of that age should have such an interest in video games.
Click to expand...

Would it be a shock to you that the biggest section of the entertainment industry provides entertainment? Games provide a good level of learning in the right scenario as well as an investment/reward method that keeps people feeling that sense of accomplishment we strive for. Children have that exact same mentality...
 
Anim said:
Would it be a shock to you that the biggest section of the entertainment industry provides entertainment?
Click to expand...

Would it be a shock to you to learn that this point has no relevance?

Games provide a good level of learning in the right scenario as well as an investment/reward method that keeps people feeling that sense of accomplishment we strive for. Children have that exact same mentality...
Click to expand...

Riiiiiiight - so the near-instant reward/gratification given by the majority of video games help prepare a child of five years old for life in the real world. Of course, of course.

I just wanted to raise the point that allowing children to play too much video games is detrimental to their development. If you don't agree with that, good luck raising kids
icon14.gif


Yes, certain games can aid learning - I've not tried to suggest otherwise. What I've said that FPS', be they the latest war themed one or some smiley kids themed one, don't do anything other than hone your kids reaction time and skill with their chosen controller.
 
slylittlefox said:
Apologies for not "thinking outside the box". And don't take it so personal, I wasn't having a go at just you - it was somebody else that said they let their kid play MOH and BC2 with the sound/gore off. I don't know anything about you or your daughter, other than what you've presented in this thread.

However, the very fact that you're looking for a video game of 'FPS style' for your five year old daughter made me question whether a child of that age should have such an interest in video games. It's a discussion forum, I didn't jump down your throat - I just raised the point.

Also, don't misuse the term 'PC liberal brigade'. :p
Click to expand...

Well the fact that you werent having a go at "just" me, indicates that you were having a go at me, just not only me :p

I've already explained (more than once) in this thread what I am looking for in regards to FPS, which aspects it is of FPS I am looking for. I'll explain it again (for the 3rd time) just in case people still are posting without actually reading the thread (which seems to be a common occurrence). Its the control system , ie. first person , aiming and the reactions of objects to the actions of the "shooter" that I am looking for. I am not looking for grenades, body parts, blood, maiming etc etc.
 
ZombieFan said:
If you want her to play something, have a look on the CBeebies website for a general idea of the types of games which are recommended. I don't think you will find many shooters, however.
Click to expand...

As I have already mentioned (more than once) in the thread, she already plays on the Cbeebies website.
 
slylittlefox said:
I just wanted to raise the point that allowing children to play too much video games is detrimental to their development. If you don't agree with that, good luck raising kids
icon14.gif
Click to expand...

That, I agree with. Like everything in life, too much of anything is detrimental :)


slylittlefox said:
Yes, certain games can aid learning - I've not tried to suggest otherwise. What I've said that FPS', be they the latest war themed one or some smiley kids themed one, don't do anything other than hone your kids reaction time and skill with their chosen controller.
Click to expand...

Some FPS could, like for example my previously mentioned paintball puzzle solving example.
 
Monday Night Combat is cartoony like TF2 but has no blood, robots, and the players are clones (so never really 'die')
 
garsands said:
Minecraft.
My son aged 4 loves it. He plays with the monsters turned off & just hits the hell out of the Pigs,Sheep,Cows & Chickens.
As a added extra he can build stuff aswell.
Click to expand...

^ This.

My daughter is 3 1/2 and loves Minecraft. Put it on Peaceful mode - no aggressive mobs, just familiar farm yard animals that do react to the player in limited and entertaining ways. My daughter loves sheep shearing and throwing eggs :D The only problem is that she needs to use two hands to move and jump out of the holes she digs heheh.
 
slylittlefox said:
Would it be a shock to you to learn that this point has no relevance?



Riiiiiiight - so the near-instant reward/gratification given by the majority of video games help prepare a child of five years old for life in the real world. Of course, of course.

I just wanted to raise the point that allowing children to play too much video games is detrimental to their development. If you don't agree with that, good luck raising kids
icon14.gif


Yes, certain games can aid learning - I've not tried to suggest otherwise. What I've said that FPS', be they the latest war themed one or some smiley kids themed one, don't do anything other than hone your kids reaction time and skill with their chosen controller.
Click to expand...

You seem to love using broad examples to try to counter other peoples reasoning but specifics to make your arguements valid? Throughout the entire thread people have been discussing learning/innovative/entertaining/puzzle games that involve the moving of the player character in a first person view, the term 'fps' has been used because thats the way we all know it for ease of use.

I'd love to see some proof that kids playing games is "detrimental to their development", i could argue that i'm a pretty solid counter arguement to that.

-edit
Oh and yes minecraft could work well but i would suggest giving the little one a few ideas of things to build, basic houses or gardens etc. Then progress in to building items, which of course leads to making a hoe to get the ground ready to plant some seeds and let them grow... all good fun :)
 
Last edited:
Tombstone said:
She has platformers, the trick is to think outside of the box when I say fps, I only say fps to attempt to convey the sort of control mechanics I mean. Check my earlier post where I give a couple of examples of suitable concepts to see how an fps could be done very well for a younger child. ( particularly my example of the paint gun and having to match paint colours to solve problems ) . Not every fps has to involve death and blood :)
Click to expand...

hehe think i have been misundestood, just would have thought her reflexes and motor skills may not be quite there to keep up with the game :)
Whereas something like mini-ninja's for example you get the spacial awareness but at a slower pace

Personally i would put her on some old school games and then work along, things like sleepwalker or fire and ice (amiga) are aesthetically geared towards kids but have the challenge and functionality for a much older audience
Maybe even something like Harvest Moon (Game boy advance) or maybe even Spore
I think she would love Zack and Wiki too
http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/adventure/projecttreasureislandz/index.html
or A Boy and His Blob

Buuut back on topic,
Not quite a FPS but you could let her loose on Audiosurf
Obviously you can choose your own tracks which would have novelty in itself:)
 
Last edited:
Chronictank said:
hehe think i have been misundestood, just would have thought her reflexes and motor skills may not be quite there to keep up with the game :)
Click to expand...

Hmm..well her reflexes and motor skills certainly seem fine when she is "accidently" kicking balls into my nuts in the garden :D

Ah, actually now...Spore...theres something I hadnt considered, not really an FPS, but still its a game I hadnt considered which she might enjoy.
 
slylittlefox said:
Apologies for not "thinking outside the box". And don't take it so personal, I wasn't having a go at just you - it was somebody else that said they let their kid play MOH and BC2 with the sound/gore off. I don't know anything about you or your daughter, other than what you've presented in this thread.

However, the very fact that you're looking for a video game of 'FPS style' for your five year old daughter made me question whether a child of that age should have such an interest in video games. It's a discussion forum, I didn't jump down your throat - I just raised the point.

Also, don't misuse the term 'PC liberal brigade'. :p
Click to expand...

i think your pointing your finger at me


cos i let my boy play bc2 or moh 2-3 times a week as a reward for his achievements at school for around 20 minutes which we time.
He knows if he has a good week, has done well at school and behaved at home he can play on my pc for 20 if he wishes. I’m teaching my child if he works hard and is polite he will be rewarded. Do you also disagree that I take my child to kicking dragons (Taekwon-do?)

I agree with the tom and Tom and Jerry scenario……
I also agree having a child veg on a game is out of order
but it’s like everything if you abuse it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom