Chapter Two, "Games 101," continues the history lesson with more recent history, specifically, the most recent consoles, from the PlayStation 2 to the Wii. This chapter provides an explanation of a lot of basics that have become foundations of console gaming, such as Analog sticks, D-pads and Shoulder buttons. Chapter Two also explains the various modern videogame genres, the rating system, the market for the different types of games and what benefits some games have to offer. (Benefits from playing videogames? Gasp!? Yes, benefits.)
Chapter Three, "You and Your Kids," is the point where Play The Game gets serious about its title and, having set the necessary infrastructure for understanding games, explores how parents and children can interact favorably and share the living room, as well as looking at different stages of development (specifically, Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development) and what games are appropriate for these stages. This chapter also looks at approaches to playing games if you've never played games before or if you haven't played since you were a kid, yourself. One interesting item explained in "You and Your Kids" is how, even when you're not playing, simply being in the room with your kids (when they're playing videogames) can help to open lines of communication, since children often communicate more freely when they're playing.
Chapter Four, "The Social Game," addresses issues with social interaction of local players (such as your family members) and also social interaction with others via the Internet in online games, including Massively Multiplayer Online games (or, "MMO"s). Topics such as dealing with competition and aggression are discussed, as well as relationships with other (remote) players. One thing I found to be quite nice was the "Best N00b Survival Practices" list. It offers some good suggestions for surviving you first (and most vulnerable) time in a MMO game. A short inset section called, "Basic FPS Vocabulary" explains four frequently used FPS terms, specifically, "Owned," "Camping," "Spawn Killing" and "Teabagging." And, of course, a book like this couldn't be complete without including Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Chapter Four also points out some of the useful aspects of the social anonymity provided by online games. Interesting stuff.
There are things to be learned by playing games. Actual, valuable lessons. Chapter Five, "Playing to Learn" discusses these. I am an advocate for games as learning tools, but Play the Game: The Parent's Guide to Video Games actually points out some that I hadn't previously considered. Some of these seem to be applying literary analysis techniques to video games, but then again, they seem to make valid points, even if these skills are learned without the players realizing it. Then again, I've heard that some videogame playing related skills, such as management skills from managing MMORPG guilds, should be included on resumes. Imagine.
In addition to being a great leisure activity and actually being able to teach people skills, there are real-life careers to be had in the video game development industry. Chapter Six, "Game Makers" and Chapter Seven, "Playing to Work," detail the history of this young industry and offer a glimpse at the tools of the trade and the positions that are involved in creating modern videogames, as well as pointing out the skills and education that are sought after for these positions. Chapter Seven has a particularly informative section on "Ports of Entry," or different ways to get into videogame development and how they compare with each other. This is a useful chapter for anyone interested in game development but unsure of their best approach into the industry.
The final chapter, "Know Your Game," is a summary chapter that recaps some lingo and covers some important hardware information that will help those unfamiliar with consoles to find their way around hooking up a console and preparing to play some games.
Initially, I thought the book was a bit far-reaching for its topic, but as I read and saw how everything would be useful to those who weren't familiar with the material already, it started to make sense. One particular aspect of Play The Game: The Parent's Guide to Video Games that will help the book to hit home with parents is the multitudes of "Parent Snapshot" inset sections. Several appear in each chapter of the book and provide observations and insights that actual parents have concerning playing games with their children. I believe that Play The Game: The Parent's Guide to Video Games goes a long way to closing the culture gap between today's gaming children and their parents. It provides useful information, new insight and testimonials that show how games can be a positive dynamic in your kids' lives and in your relationship with them.
Play The Game: The Parent's Guide to Video Games was written by Jeannie Novak, Lead Author and Series Editor of Thomson's Game Development Essentials series, and by Luis Levy, an engineer at Treyarch who overcame a learning difficulty involving his motor skills by playing videogames, at the suggestion of his mother. These two authors each bring knowledge and unique experiences which help to make this book a good read. I highly suggest it for any parents out there who want to have a better idea of what videogames are all about or want to use videogames as a tool to increase the quantity and quality of their communication with their children.
