The buzz online today is that it is Video Game Day. There is actually no source for this buzz – no one can actually say who declared it or why. Even so, I say any reason to play video games works for me.
I started out playing Pong. Back in the day there were arcade games popping up everywhere like PacMan and Asteroids but I didn’t really consider those video games until they were available for play at home.
This is how old I am – we had one of the first microwave ovens on the block and my folks jumped right on board early on with a personal computer for our home. My Dad bought a PC game called Flight Simulator and we all delighted when he brought home a joy stick. But of course there was only one PC in the house and one joy stick so it didn’t take long before my Mom changed the name of the game from Flight Simulator to Fight Stimulator.
We have come a long way since then. We even have games on our phones now. So, today we celebrate Video Game Day. There is actually a National Video Game Day which is celebrated on September 12. On a side note, this comes just one week before another one of our favorite holiday days made famous from the Internet – Talk Like a Pirate Day (09/19).
No one seems to know the origin of National Video Game Day or Video Game day but there seems to be a concensus online that they fall in September and July respectively. There are various gamer days – the national library system advertised a national gamers day in November where the libraries would host gaming events. But we’ll stick with celebrating Video Game Day and National Video Game Day for now.
I posted the question What was the first game you played and what is your favorite game on Twitter @maryheston this morning and you have all responded with super fun suggestions. It was particularly fun to see how many of my Twitter friends were gamer geeks. @DiamonDie started out playing Qbert and Arkanoid. @Azyxa contended that Finaly Fantasy VI was the best game of all time. Lots of votes for Pong – glad to know I am in good company.
===========================================
Check out the latest in Video Games! Click Here –> Happy Video Game Day
===========================================
Finally, the most important thing is for kids to play age appropriate games. This used to be more of a challenge but the kids who started out playing Pong have grown up and are now designing some really cool games for all ages. If your kiddo is little don’t get tricked into buying them Naughty Bear just because it is a video game about a cute stuffed animal – The dude is honery and his subconscious that speaks to him is wicked. An angry stuffed bear with a machete is no game for a 6 year old. Follow the ESRB ratings as a guideline. They are really a great resource. Of course you have to know your kid but even still there is no reason they have to grow up too fast.
Help your kids become good responsible gamers who know how to play nice with each other. A great way to do this is to sign your kid up for Camp Happy Heart 2010 at Buildabearville.com.
And have a joyous and fun filled Video Game Day. (Mario Rules!)