Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts

2023 Wishmas Guide... for Younglings!

 


It's that special time of year again... you're scratching your head wondering what you can get for your youngling, nieces, nephews, or a kid who simply deserves a nice gift. No need to worry ladies and gentlemen... the 2023 Wishmas Guide is here to erase the guessing games! Grab your cup of hot sip-worthy goodness... and get your click & scroll on!

Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle: This Switch bundle includes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + 3 months of Nintendo Switch Online. This gift will provide kids with an immersive and interactive gaming experience for on-the-go enjoyment and fun on the big screen. Great option for family fun!



Coding kits: As the importance of coding grows, giving kids coding kits will help them develop their problem-solving and logical thinking skills from an early age.



Robotic pets: Robotic pets are becoming more sophisticated and lifelike. They provide companionship and are a great way for kids to learn about responsibility. This particular robot is Eilik.



STEM building kits: Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) building kits enable kids to learn while having fun. These kits encourage creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.



Smartwatches for kids: Smartwatches designed specifically for kids with GPS tracking, educational apps, and parental controls are a practical and trendy gift.



Awesome storybooks: Storybooks with great artwork and storylines make reading more engaging, and a nice collection should foster a love for reading.



Art and craft kits: Encouraging creativity and imagination through art and craft kits is a timeless gift idea. These kits provide all the necessary materials for kids to explore and create their own masterpieces. The kit seen here has a convertible easel to draw both flat or at an angle.



Educational subscription boxes: Monthly subscription boxes that deliver educational activities and experiments are a great way to keep kids engaged and learning throughout the year.



Outdoor adventure gear: A gift promoting outdoor exploration, such as camping equipment, bicycles, or scooters, encourages physical activity and helps kids appreciate nature. The Docyke Electric Go Kart Kit is a constructible vehicle that allows your kids and teens to build their vehicle of choice. Great for children interested in mechanics.



Musical instruments: Musical instruments promote a love for music and creativity. Whether it's a guitar, keyboard, or drum set, learning to play an instrument can provide lifelong enjoyment and skills.



Work desks: Desks are a worthwhile consideration this year as parents look for options to promote fun learning and exploring in the world of tech, a desk gives your Youngling the workspace to avoid their experiments from covering the surfaces in the common area. There are great Black Friday deals at the moment.




Sophima | Guest Contributor
                          + BLU 

Support us via the helpful links below!

Dear Parents: Not All Games and Apps Are Kid-Friendly!


In the world of tech, video games & consumer apps play a significant role, but it's important for parents to be aware of the types of games & apps their children are using. While some may perceive all games & most apps to be harmless, it's not always safe to assume. When it comes to video games, the ESRB ratings are in place for a reason, but at the end of the day... the game industry can't raise your children.


Locate the rating:

For Google Play apps, click on the app and you will find the rating at the top... just beneath the title of the game. The age rating is to the right of the game review score, and download count. Apps, Movies, and TV have ratings, but I realized that eBooks are not rated (from what I've seen).

For App Store apps, the rating is right next to the Game and App titles. Apple TV+ has a rating in a similar area as the Google Play ratings (slightly below the title). When it comes to books, there is no age rating here either.

It's worth noting that some apps ask for location information and may even contain location-tracking features. Select apps use this information to ensure that your mobile order is to the right location, but others have no need for it and may result in undesired use of this information if it ends up in the wrong hands. While some use a tracking feature, others ask for this information and it could be showcased on a public profile to be seen by someone unsavory. A number of popular apps are social media-based, and allow you to chat with others, which basically means your children have the ability to chat with anyone in most cases.

This increases their chance of hearing and seeing certain things you do not approve of. While these apps have an age range, anyone can misrepresent themselves to gain access to most social media apps. That includes your children, and on the flip side... we don't know if the person claiming to be a teenager is actually a teenager at times. Talking with your children to establish safe precautions and healthy habits as part of an agreement to have a phone, is probably one of the best routes to take. From there you can present the reasons why you want them to be careful with such a useful tool. With great power, comes great responsibility... literally. 


Chat doesn't stop at social media apps. There are chat features in select games that lack true regulation that also include the ability to share links. This can be concerning, as there are individuals who exploit any opportunity available to them, potentially exposing children to inappropriate content, and seeking out their location by request or by obtaining their information.

Knowing the apps on your child's phone, specifically to research them... can go a long way. By doing so, parents can thoroughly review each app by its name to determine if any raise concerns and require uninstallation. This can be part of an agreement established with your child in order to have a phone. We don't need to go down this rabbit hole... but there are parents who wish they established such an agreement before avoidable issues were ushered in.

Additionally, parents should check for a "Hidden Space" on their child's Android phone. To access this area, they can slide their fingers both upwards and downwards simultaneously (using two fingers) on the home screen.

  • Within the app drawer, sliding to the right will reveal this hidden space.

Parents can verify what I'm explaining by navigating to the settings and scrolling down to locate "Hidden Space," which should be positioned just above the "About" option at the bottom.

If their Android phone has a different user interface, you can search for tutorials on YouTube to get assistance. Being proactive in understanding and monitoring the digital landscape that our children navigate is crucial for their safety and well-being. By staying informed and actively investigating the apps and features available on their phones, parents can better protect their children from potential risks associated with certain digital content.

If you were wondering if there was an easier route... don't worry, there actually is. Check out the links below for kid-friendly phone manufacturers... Gabb & Pinwheel. Both phones deliver the things your child may need, and nothing you don't want them to have. Apps they do have access to, have been vetted, and the controls are in your hands. So see if one of the options below works for you.


Sophima | Guest Contributor
                          + BLU 

FTS: Square Enix X Tokyo Game Show 2023!

logo

TUNE INTO SQUARE ENIX LIVESTREAMS FOR MAJOR GAME HIGHLIGHTS DURING TOKYO GAME SHOW 2023

Fans Can Look Forward to a Fresh Look at FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, FOAMSTARS, the SaGa Franchise and More


LOS ANGELES (Sept. 18, 2023)  SQUARE ENIX® invites fans to tune into SQUARE ENIX’s YouTube and Twitch channels from Sept. 21 to Sept. 24 for a series of engaging Tokyo Game Show 2023 livestreams. These English-supported digital events will feature panels and showcase for a number of SQUARE ENIX’s upcoming and ongoing titles, including FINAL FANTASYTM VII REBIRTH, FOAMSTARSTM, Infinity Strash: DRAGON QUEST The Adventure of Dai, DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince, PowerWash Simulator, and the SaGa franchiseincluding the recently announced SaGa Emerald Beyond.


The full schedule follows below:
 
Thursday, Sept. 21

  • 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT – PowerWash Simulator (SQUARE ENIX Japan YouTube)
    • A special TGS 2023 program for the acclaimed PowerWash Simulator (available now), where the Japanese version localization staff will provide the latest information on this title. 
Friday, Sept. 22
  • 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT – EIKO KANO’S CRITIKANO HIT: Tokyo Game Show 2023 Special Episode (SQUARE ENIX Japan YouTube)
    • Regularly shown on SQUARE ENIX’s official YouTube channel, “EIKO KANO’S CRITIKANO HIT” series is hosting a special 2023 Tokyo Game Show episode! On this installment of the game-centered variety program, join Eiko Kano, Kenta Sakai (Alco and Peace), and Masayuki Kibe (game scenario writer) as they visit booths to play through some anticipated titles and show viewers around the exhibition.
Saturday, Sept. 23
  • 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT (Friday, Sept. 22) – FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH TGS 2023 Stage
    • FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH’s 2023 TGS Stage program will be presented by the developers including Producer Yoshinori Kitase, Director Naoki Hamaguchi, Creative Director, Tetsuya Nomura (voice only), along with special Japanese guests.
  • 2:15 a.m. ET/11:15 p.m. PT (Friday, Sept. 22) – SaGa Series TGS 2023 Special Stage
    • Enjoy the latest news coming to the SaGa franchise, starting with the newest entry–SaGa Emerald Beyond! Featuring a special mini live musical performance planned especially for TGS 2023, this jam-packed SaGa Stage event is one you'll not want to miss!
  • 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT – Infinity Strash: DRAGON QUEST The Adventure of Dai Pre-Launch Special Announcement (Square Enix TGS Stream Page)
    • Join the team for a special Infinity Strash: DRAGON QUEST The Adventure of Dai, announcement, in addition to a special deep-dive into every nook and cranny of the world and monsters that players will sooner battle against and recruit ahead of the game’s official release on Sept. 28!
  • 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT – Get the Facts - DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince (SQUARE ENIX YouTube)
    • Tune in for an exclusive first look at new game video footage showcased for the upcoming RPG from the DRAGON QUEST franchise and get the low-down on DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince in a special broadcast brought to you by the monsters themselves! A must-see for anyone wanting to discover more about the latest title in the DQM series.
Sunday, Sept. 24
  • 12:15 a.m. ET /9:15 p.m. PT (Saturday, Sept. 23) – FOAMSTARS (SQUARE ENIX YouTube)
    • Prepare to dive into an exciting live showcasing of the upcoming co-op foam shooter FOAMSTARS launching exclusively on PlayStation®, featuring commentary from host Ko Shinohara and guest appearances from Crystal Noda, Sayaka Okada, k4sen and Noriaki Suzuki. More information can be found at https://tokyogameshow.jp. Don’t forget to slide into the free limited timed worldwide “FOAMSTARS OPEN BETA PARTY” on Sept.29 – available only on PlayStation® 5.

 

Free Games: July 2023

 


Prime members, you already know what time it is. Get your free games while they're hot, and believe it or not... there are more free games than what you see here. So what are you waiting for? Game on!






Nairi: Tower of Shirin


NAIRI is a charming graphic adventure with adorable visuals and characters within a troubled world that is sure to delight anyone looking for a strong narrative and puzzle experience. 

The player follows Nairi, a troubled upper-class girl, and Rex, a gangster-turned-scholar, as they uncover a dark mystery involving the mysterious Tower of the oasis city of Shirin. - Akupara | Rated E for Everyone

Wytchwood


Wytchwood is a crafting adventure game set in an expressive land of gothic fables and fairy tales. As the mysterious old witch of the woods, you will explore a strange countryside, collect magical ingredients, brew sorcerous enchantments, and pass your twisted judgment upon a capricious cast of characters and creatures. 

After all, how will they ever learn if you don’t teach them the moral of the story? - Plug in Digital | Rated E10+ for Everyone 10+









3 Count Bout


3 Count Bout is a pro-wrestling game released by SNK in 1993. Aim to become the world's strongest wrestler, and take the champion's thrown for yourself! 3 Count Bout is chock full of pro-wrestling elements, including strike exchanges and aerial assaults, dash moves, and even illegal moves! 


Enjoy interesting matches including electricity matches, street matches, and more. - SNK | Rated T for Teen




Build your own deck as you play. Choose wisely from 200 cards, 80 relics and 30 gems that can be combined. You will never play with the same deck twice. Train your heroes and earn new cards and treasures to take on the 20 difficulty levels in the Roguebook. - Plug in Digital | Rated E10+ for Everyone ages 10 and Up







Many other free games are available too... so check them out, support us below, and... game on!