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Games

Episode 13 of the Waypoint UK Podcast is a Parenting Special

Because as gaming grows up, so do its players—and then they make little players of their own. And what then? We talk about ch-ch-ch-changes.
‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ screenshot courtesy of Nintendo.

Growing up. We all do it. And the games industry is doing it, too. Kids who lived and breathed games in the 1980s and '90s are now 30- and 40-somethings, perhaps with kids of their own. The time they once had to enjoy video games has been compromised, irreversibly altered. So: how do you, how do we, deal with that? And just what is the best way to nurture a future Mario Kart champion? Answers, people. We have some of them here.

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Waypoint's senior editor Mike, himself a father of two, is joined for this episode by Ellie Gibson (Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit, The Guardian, Scummy Mummies) and Gareth Dutton (Making Games Is Fun, Chat Very Good), both of whom also have two children. They've also both contributed to Waypoint/VICE in the past, too, with words, photographs and presenting skills, so it's a treat to have them on the podcast.

Discussed: what games are good to share with kids, and which should we shield them from; how our time with games changed once these small people came into our lives; how the industry has evolved to better appreciate the parent gamer; the increasing attraction of so-called casual games; and a whole lot more.

It's an hour, thereabouts, of terrific chat, with just an occasional swear. So, probably, don't actually play this within earshot of an impressionable minor.

Stream or download the Waypoint UK Podcast below, or subscribe via iTunes, or whatever your podcast provider of choice is, as it's more than likely available there. Old episodes are archived on Soundcloud, for your streaming needs.

Follow our guests on Twitter at @elliegibson and @garydooton. Follow Waypoint at @waypoint and find loads more podcasts, including several from E3 2017, on the site here.

The Waypoint UK Podcast is a fortnightly show. The next episode is live on June 29th, when Mike will almost certainly be talking about some of the best games of the year so far with a guest or two. Speak to you then.