Tuesday, July 13, 2010

“Arcade games groom kids for pokies” plus 3 more

“Arcade games groom kids for pokies” plus 3 more

Arcade games groom kids for pokies

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 07:30 AM PDT

Anti-gambling advocates fear gaming venues are grooming children to gamble by providing arcade games mimicking poker machines.

The so-called redemption games offer expensive prizes including digital cameras or televisions and are usually located just steps away from the adults-only gaming areas, The Sunday Age says.

Monash University electronic gaming expert Charles Livingstone said the arcade games indoctrinate kids into gambling and lure children and their parents into pokies venues.

But a Victorian government spokeswoman said there's no 'research or evidence linking children playing redemption games with problem gambling in adulthood'.

However, a 2009 Adelaide University study of more than 2500 teenagers found those who were pathological gamblers were significantly more likely to have a history of playing video and arcade games, the paper says.

The Productivity Commission's report on gambling released last month reiterated that 'minors should not...be exposed to gambling areas within venues', it says.

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PARENTING: Letting kids organize own games teaches some important skills

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 01:46 AM PDT

Will her kids turn into card sharks?

Q: What do you think about a 13-year-old child playing poker with my kids, ages 8 and 9. Even though they weren't using money, I didn't think it was age-appropriate so I stopped them. Do you think I am being overly protective?

A: Is the issue playing cards, playing poker, or playing cards with an older child? If card-playing is the issue, that's a values issue that I have no right to comment on. If you don't mind your kids playing cards, but you don't like the idea of poker, then I'll point out that in the absence of betting, playing poker is no different than playing Old Maid except that poker, unlike Old Maid, might improve your kids' understanding of probability and general math skills. If the issue is playing cards with an older child, my feeling is that as long as the play is adult-supervised, there's no inherent harm in the situation.

Q: I'm a stay-at-home mom who attends a moms' group that meets every two weeks. Every time I leave my 30-month-old in the play group, which is supervised by two older women, he cries. Shouldn't this clingy phase be over by now?

A: Not necessarily. Distress over separation generally peaks between 18 and 24 months, but such distress in a child your son's age isn't cause for concern. Keep in mind that the only way your toddler is going to learn that separation from you is okay is if you separate from him without any show of anxiety, as if it's the most normal thing in the world. You mustn't give him the impression that he can cause you to change decisions by acting like his world is coming apart. The way to do this is to just give him a kiss, hand him over to the person in charge, and leave. And when you return, you mustn't act like you have something to apologize for.

On the other hand, this might not be separation anxiety. Your son might be feeling overwhelmed in a group of toddlers. Children this age don't play cooperatively. In a group, they are more likely to act like independent island nations that launch pre-emptive strikes at one another every so often, snatching toys and so on. The relative aggressiveness of some of the other children in the group may be intimidating. If so, that's not reason for you to stop attending your moms' outing, but you might consider leaving your son at home with a sitter.

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Top download services for games

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 06:06 AM PDT

Editor's note: Scott Steinberg is the head of technology and video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, as well as the founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. He frequently appears as an on-air technology analyst for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CNN. His most recent book is "Get Rich Playing Games."

(CNN) -- Downloading games straight to your favorite handheld or set-top video game system has quickly emerged as one of the simplest, most wallet-friendly ways to get the most from your gaming dollar.

But while console owners are confined to dedicated online shopping services such as PlayStation Network, Xbox Live and WiiWare, PC owners have a broader selection of virtual vendors from which to pick. Below, you'll find four of my favorites, all of which let you instantly browse, purchase and enjoy hundreds of amazing titles from yesteryear and today without having to get off the couch.

Steam

The gold standard for digital distribution services, a vast range of current and retro releases provides ample reason to browse Steam's virtual aisles.

Brought to you by Valve, makers of the "Half-Life" and "Portal" series, its ongoing spate of discounts, specials and money-saving promotions ensure there's always reason to keep coming back.

Constantly adding prominent new high-profile debuts, as well as a number of notable indie game selections and obscure releases, it caters to all interests.

GOG.com

Veteran gaming enthusiasts can't help but be impressed, as Good Old Games offers a compelling selection of critically acclaimed floppy disk and CD-ROM classics ready for retrieval right to your desktop.

A veritable waltz down memory lane, $9.99 or less nets you a broad selection in all categories, from adventure ("Gabriel Knight 2," "Sanitarium") to role-playing ("Fallout," "Realms of Arkania") and strategy ("Commandos," "Jagged Alliance").

Better still, games come free of copy protection and are updated to run on modern machines, making it a simple and painless way to relive your misspent youth.

GamersGate

For those with more eclectic tastes, there's no better online retailer than GamersGate, which offers a massive array of obscure imports, independent offerings and esoteric European releases.

Shoppers will find a host of titles both familiar ("Assassin's Creed II," "Borderlands"), fresh ("Iron Grip: Warlord," "Mount & Blade") and unknown ("Konung 3" or "Pro Cycling Manager 2010," anyone?). Also notable for its range of casual, kids' and Mac releases, the site may overwhelm you with its sizable catalogue, but it offers endless ways to kill a leisurely afternoon.

Impulse

Operated and overseen by Stardock, creator of celebrated strategy titles such as "Galactic Civilizations" and "Sins of a Solar Empire," this site primarily offers games with a more tactical and simulation-minded bent.

While it also offers puzzle, racing, sports and massively multiplayer online games for purchase, armchair generals, adventurers and tycoons will get the most from its collection of digitally downloadable amusements.

Happily, it also makes a number of applications, utilities and productivity tools available for purchase as well.

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Wanted: Kids to have fun at Boys and Girls Club

Posted: 13 Jul 2010 12:53 AM PDT

July 13, 2010

Wanted: Kids to have fun at Boys and Girls Club

By Angeljean Chiaramida Staff writer

SALISBURY — Parents and kids looking for sports and activities opportunities have only to look at the programs offered at the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley to find a great place to be this summer and all year long.

The club, located at the former Memorial School on Maple Street in Salisbury, has many things to keep kids busy, entertained, healthy and happy at its after-school or vacation programs, especially when considering the price.

"It's $240 for a two-week (summer camp) session, but no child is ever turned away because of finances," said Jim Keenan, Boys and Girls Club executive director. "There are scholarships from the towns, and many are sponsored by businesses and friends. And it's only $25 a year for membership to attend the after-school programs. There are scholarships for that, too."

"There's so much for kids to do here; I don't think people realize how much there is," said Rick Williams, who took over as the club's sports director after retiring as the athletic director at Salisbury Elementary School for more than 30 years. "What we want is more kids to come."

"There are too many kids going home to an empty house," Keenan said.

"And that's not what we want," said Jason Cooper, the club's director of operation.

What the Boys and Girls Club has to offer hasn't been seen during the summer for decades in many communities.

The Salisbury school system used to provide summer recreational programs for kids at its two town playgrounds, Williams said. When budget problems hit, the summer programs at Lion's and Memorial School parks were cut from the school's annual offering.

"Then the town of Salisbury picked it up and ran the summer program at the two playgrounds for a while," Williams said. "But then budget problems hit the town, and that stopped, too."

For 20 years, Williams ran a summer camp on the acreage behind his Ferry Road home. When he sold the house in 2007, that ended, and Williams brought his expertise to the Boys and Girls Club to give kids in surrounding communities the kind of attention and athletic experiences they need.

With a national epidemic of childhood obesity and the diseases like high blood pressure and cholesterol and diabetes that come with it, Williams feels that now more than ever before, kids need to participate in activities that will keep them moving.

"I think there were more offerings for kids in the '70s and '80s than there are now at schools," Williams said. "The last 10 years I taught were really hard with physical education programs being cut. It's like the value that used to be placed on physical education in schools just isn't there anymore. Kids are paying for it."

"I went to school here in Salisbury, and Mr. Williams was my teacher," Keenan said. "We were so involved in intramural that when my friends and I get together, we still talk about it. We want to provide that level for kids here at the club. Here, everyone gets to participate."

During the summer and all through the school year, the club offers sports all kids can try in groups suited for their age. This summer in the camp program running from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, kids can learn and play baseball, pepper baseball, screen and orange ball, along with soccer, floor hockey, karate, dance, yoga and volleyball. The club is also coordinating with the Salisbury Recreation Commission to take part in the new tennis program it's offering.

"First, I get them to participate; then, I can start teaching them the skills of the sports," Williams said.

Summer's just the beginning. Every season has its sports programs at the club. There are football, speedball, wrestling, floor hockey and what Williams calls "gimmick games" to keep kids interested in the fall and winter, and spring brings more outdoor sports and the favorite, baseball.

And last fall, Cooper organized the first club basketball teams for high-school-age kids who traveled and played in their own league.

"We got our first trophy," Cooper said. "The girls team came in second in the league."

Keenan said the beauty of the club's basketball team is that along with providing basketball lovers a place to dribble and shoot, it can improve their skills enough to help them make their school varsity team the next time, Keenan said.

Add a full array of indoor activities from homework help to table games, computer, arts and crafts, and the Boys and Girls Club provides something to appeal to just about anyone within a secure, supervised atmosphere.

"What we want parents to know is that in today's society, kids can come here. We take care of them, and they're safe." Williams said.

For more information on the Boys and Girls Club, visit www.bgclmv.org or call 978-462-7003.

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