| When I was a kid, the genre of computer | | | | mind, though, is harming my kids with |
| video games was just emerging. I | | | | things that are inappropriate for them. |
| remember having a TV hooked up to a | | | | Why would these companies care about my |
| console with rotary-type joysticks. One | | | | kids, anyway? They often plaque my |
| could only play what they called | | | | computer with things that kids are |
| 'tennis' or shoot a white rectangle with | | | | supposed to fight in these games: the |
| a lighting gun. That was about it: no | | | | evil stuff. I mean spyware. |
| fancy graphics, no sounds other than | | | | Unfortunately, it is just too easy to |
| 'beep', and no color. Great things about | | | | get kids downloads and install a pretty |
| these games were that they didn't have | | | | game, which will plead your computer |
| any violence, and they lacked the | | | | with advertising of adult of gambling |
| ability to harm a TV. Things changed | | | | sites. I also mind stealing my passwords |
| significantly with the release of gaming | | | | or modifying the results of my Web |
| computers such as Amiga, Commodore, and | | | | searches, things that many spyware |
| ZX Spectrum. They run all kinds of | | | | products typically do. So what do I do |
| arcade games in color and with what was, | | | | to protect my kids from games I don't |
| at the time, good sound. Those computers | | | | think are appropriate and myself from |
| were quite limited in their reproduction | | | | malicious software and other threats |
| of motion and graphics, so no exposed | | | | bundled with the games intended for |
| violence there. Also, there were no | | | | kids? I use tested sources to get the |
| computer viruses at those times, so | | | | games. One of these sources is My Play |
| every game was safe to play. Now I am | | | | City Their games are perfectly suitable |
| quite too old for that kind of fun, but | | | | for my kids. The company does not have a |
| let us face it: our kids do love | | | | single game on their Web site, out of |
| computer games. With modern computers | | | | several dozens, that has violence or |
| capable of hyper-realistic graphics and | | | | profanity. That's certainly good for my |
| high-definition sound, the possibilities | | | | kids. These games are also good for me |
| of entertainment are limitless. The kids | | | | because they don't install any unwanted |
| now have much wider choice than we did | | | | 'extras' on my computer. Are the days of |
| at the time. In fact, they have so much | | | | great classic arcades back again? For |
| choice that parents should be cautions: | | | | example, I recently tried their latest |
| there's simply much too much meaningless | | | | game, Demon's Doomsday. With its cartoon |
| and explicit violence out there. I am | | | | graphics it highly resembles the arcades |
| cautious when it comes to games my kids | | | | of the old days. The script is nice and |
| play. Many companies try to get the | | | | suitable for the kids: they are supposed |
| kids' time with computer video games. So | | | | to fight the evil. No blood, no exposed |
| much so that they even offer their games | | | | violence, and kids play for the good |
| for free! But do they always have good | | | | guy, and fight witches and ghosts. Quite |
| intentions of safely entertaining your | | | | reassuring, I would say after watching |
| kids, or do they have intentions of | | | | some modern 3D shooters. Added fun is a |
| their own? Dare I say evil intentions? | | | | touch of competition: kids with greatest |
| That's a valid question, despite the | | | | high scores can upload them to the Web, |
| frivolous names and entertaining | | | | and compete against their counterparts. |
| subject. I am perfectly fine with the | | | | After all, the days of classic arcade |
| fact that free computer games bring good | | | | games are here. At least with the games |
| profit to these companies, sometimes | | | | made by Here it is: you can get Demon's |
| more than the games they charge for. | | | | Doomsday for free at |
| That's business, after all. What I do | | | | More articles from this pro: Inc. |