For so long, gaming has been seen as something for an individual, not a family-oriented hobby. We at GEN see it as something diferent. More and more families are coming together and replacing the family movie night with the family game night! Each week we will feature a new family who shares the gaming hobby, as a way to bond. This week is PMS Clan’s Deja Vu!
Deja's daughter Desitny playing Halo 3!
1.) Give me the run-down of you and your family: who plays games together, names, and ages?
There’s me Nikkia 28 my husband Adam 29 my two children Destiny 6 and Trey 2..
2.) How long have you all been gaming?
My husband and I started playing games together about 6yrs ago now. Then when my daughter got old enough to say I want to play around 2 we started letting her play with us even if one of had to help her and we have done the same with my son.
3.) What games do you play?
There’s so many lets see Rock band 1 and 2,Halo 3, Left 4 Dead, COD 4 and WaW, all 3 Viva games. There’s a lot more but I won’t try listing them all. I am the only one at the moment who plays WoW. As well as Little Big Planet on PS3 and many Nintendo DS games.
4.) Does one person play more than others leaving the others to watch or are you all playing together at the same time?
I think it really depends on the game but for the most part there’s at least 2 of us playing together all the time.
5.) Do you mostly play against each other or co-op?
That’s an interesting question with the kids its mostly co-op, but myself and Adam like to do a mix of both with each other you know for the competitiveness..lol
6.) Can you think of your favorite family-gaming memory?
I think my favorite memory would have to be back on Halo 2 right before the release of H3 when my daughter, my husband, and myself were playing and she stuck him with a plasma for the first time and killed him she literally jumped off the couch with excitement.
7.) Do you play mature games with or around the kids?
It all depends on the game I guess and what the content actually is like for instance I wouldn’t play GTA or anything like that in front of either child nor would my husband.
8.) If you do, how do you handle the explanation of some of the content?
I don’t think to many of the games we have played with them around has needed much explanation like with Halo especially with my daughter because she pretty much knows what is or isn’t real but if she has questions we happily answer them so that there isn’t any confusion. My son is still a bit to young to understand any of it but we do try to let him know that its just a game and not real.
9.) So whose the “best” out of your family? Is there any trash talking or rivalry?
Hmm who’s the best I honestly don’t know as far as Music games that would be Adam because trust me he is way better than me. Other games like Halo and such it usually depends on who is having a good night. Yeah there is a little rivalry and maybe a little trash talking but its all in good fun with both Adam and myself. Although I have noticed the kids getting a little more competitive with each other lately. It’s actually kind of cute to hear them play together and hear you beat me and good game or something along those lines.
10) What, in your opinion, is the best thing about sharing this hobby together?
For us it has been an excellent way to be involved with our children and do something that actually keeps their attention especially with a 2yr old. Not only that be it gives you a chance to encourage good sportsmanship if one of the children lose or even win they know to say good game and not to be rude. My husband and I love to game together because it gives a chance to take a break from things and enjoy something we both like doing together. All in all I would say it has deffinantly strengthened our families bond with each other and hey if you are mad at someone like if the kids get mad at each other pop in Wii boxing hand them controllers and let them go at it and no one get hurt that way. Once they have beat each other at that then normally you can get them to sit down and talk about things in a calm manner.
11.) In what ways have your family bonded by playing video games?
There have been so many ways lets see I would say it has helped to bring me and Adam a little closer together because we can pick up a game and play together and still have the competitiveness in our relationship. As for the kids it has helped both my husband and myself become closer to them because we can sit down and play a 4 player game together and laugh and be silly. It has also encouraged both kids to try new things so now my son has something even at age 2 to share with his dad because with my husband playing drums on rock band my son has feel in love with the drums and has his own 4 piece set that his dad has been teaching him to play.
12.) What’s the hardest thing about managing your time as a family woman and playing games yourself?
Hmm for me it really hasn’t been to difficult because no one plays games until dinner and all family chores are done. We not only game together but we also clean together..lol. It really has been pretty simple for me I guess because my children and family have always come first. There have been times though where it was an interesting balancing act especially when I was the leader of a division, but you eventually find a nice balance and schedule so that gaming and game related commitments don’t interfere with family life. It helps that my kids have grown up around gaming and my husband supports me no matter what so I guess the only hard part for me has been what game to play when honestly.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
That is so cute! I want my future family to be like that. What a good way to bond as a family! Great article Angel!
February 24th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Great interview!
I don’t think I’d let my kids—who are that young—play M-rated games, though. But hey, not judging. As long as they’re well-adjusted little gamers, then no problem. They’ll kick ass later in life.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:44 am
The baby holding the xbox controller the wrong way is just priceless.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Yeah Jill, I thought it was too cute too… I’m thinking it’s the newest version of the “claw” position to hold your controller…
February 25th, 2009 at 3:51 am
I let my little brother play Gears of War and watch Battle Royale when he was a baby. He still hasn’t killed anyone that wasn’t dead already, so I think it turned out okay.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Cute article! This is actually one thing I look forward to with kids some day - that and forcing them to cosplay with me.