Above: Bill (Sandbox Strategies) , Nicole Armstrong (Activision) and Korie Robertson (A & E's Duck Dynasty)
I had the pleasure of attending the 2013 Activision Family Game Summit 2 weeks ago. Just as they did last year, Activision is providing a fabulous collection of brand new titles perfect for family game night - just in time for the holiday season. Activision also shared a wealth of information on the benefits of family gaming and how to incorporate gaming and technology into family life, in a healthy manner. The panel this year included Bill from Sandbox Strategies and Nicole Armstrong from Activision. Celebrity mom, Korie Robertson (Duck Dynasty) also weighed in with a mother's perspective on family gaming.
Above: Korie Robertson and her son Will Robertson (of A & E's Duck Dynasty) celebrate Will's birthday at the 2013 Activision Family Game Summit in NYC
My top take-away's from the Family Game Summit this year are:
Keep an eye on the ESRB rating categories on the games that we are purchasing for our children. They are there to guide you through making appropriate content choices for your children. The ESRB ratings really help to eliminate the guess work.
I will also be keeping "Bill's Top 5" in mind when integrating technology and gaming into our family routine.
Check out "Bill's Top 5"in the video below, more on the ESRB's Rating Categories and some of the additional video footage from the 2013 Activision Family Game Summit. You will also have a chance to win a FABULOUS 2013 Activision Family Game Summit Gift Bag {RV $400}!
Have you had a chance to check out Monster's University? If you haven't, it's a definite a MUST-SEE family movie! We took our children to see Monsters University the day it came out - and it was everything that we anticipated and MORE. Monsters University offers up a super cute storyline that gives us all a peek at how the lovable monster's from Monster's INC. got their start in the scaring industry. Monsters University also introduces many new characters that will win over the entire family in no time at all. Our favorite new character from Monsters U, is "Squishy".
Our kids have been itching for more Monsters University fun, ever since we took them to see the movie last week - and now they have that chance. During the Club Penguin Monsters University takeover, kids can dress up as their favorite characters from the movie and explore the Monsters University Campus!
We are super excited to celebrate the release of our #1 favorite family film from 2012, Disney's Wreck-It Ralph, with a fun reader giveaway! Wreck-It Ralph is available NOW for HD Digital Download [currently available on Amazon.com for HD Digital Download for $19.99] and will release to Blu-ray, DVD + Digital copy Combo Pack on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
Check out these fun clips from Disney's Wreck-It Ralph :
How adorable is "Vanellope von Schweetz" in the above clip?! Seriously, CUTE!
WOW! The Activision Family Game Summit was not only a ton of fun; it was a pretty great learning experience too!
A Panel of experts that included Nicole Armstrong [director of marketing at Activision-pictured above left], Suzanne Kantra [Techlicious.com], Patricia Vance [President of the ESRB] and Soleil Moon Frye [actress, author and entrepeneur] discussed the benefits of family gaming and some of the great tools that are available to help make the best content choices for your famliy.
FUN FACTS ON THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY GAMING:
Did you know?
Children who play video games tend to perform 10%-20% higher in terms of perceptual cognitive ability compared to non-game players.
Children who play video games perform 23% higher on creative tests.
Pre-school aged children who play video games have better motor control and hand/eye coordination.
Children who play video games have higher reaction times
Video games teach everyday skills, such as: delegating, responsibility.
Video games can be used as an interactive resource for children with Autism. They allow children with Autism to have a predictable interaction [recommended game titles: Happy Action Theater and Dance Central]
Video games can be helpful in combating anger issues and depression* [*study conducted by Boston Children's Hospital].
CHOOSE THE RIGHT GAMES FOR YOUR FAMILY WITH THESE GREAT RESOURCES:
The ESRB [www.esrb.org] helps parents navigate the gaming world with their video game ratings system and Online Privacy Seal. They also offer a great Family Discussion Guide to help parents initiate a productive discussion on gaming and online safety.
Download the ESRB Rating Search App to your Android /iPhone app [free in the Google Play store]
PICTURED ABOVE: Activision Family Game Line-up For The 2012 Holiday Season Offers Something For Everyone
TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING FAMILY GAMING IN A BENEFICIAL WAY:
Regulate family game time.
Keep gaming devices in a public area in your home.
Set up blocks by age/rating on your gaming system.
Password protect gaming systems in your home.
Educate your children. Set clear boundaries and let them know what games are acceptable to play in your home [and when they visit their friends homes.]
Use the ESRB ratings to select age appropriate games for your children.
Monitor online gaming content and the amount of time that your children spend online with your wireless router's settings [custom settings vary by model.]
I'm certain that most kids (and adults alike) have daydreamed a time or two about what it would be like to jump into the magical adventures of some of their favorite animated films. Now it's possible withKinect RUSH: A Disney Pixar Adventure!This brand new game isavailable exclusively for Xbox 360 Kinect, and offers the entire family the opportunity to jump into the scenes of some of their favorite Disney and Pixar animated Films! Race through the playground with Buzz, Woody, and the Toys from Toy Story to return a lost toy to it's owner!
Jump into some fast paced fun with Disney's UP where you'll raft the wild rapids, swim the tropical waters, jump, climb and navigate the tropical terrain all in an effort to catch the house and save Kevin's Babies!
Kids will have a blast navigating the gorgeous streets of Paris as they join in the race with Remy and his friends to find Linguine so he can free their trapped friend "Twitch" from the Jar!
Check out our hands on video review of Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure below:
Stepping into the action packed adventures of the Incredibles is simply spectacular! You'll run, climb, jump, and FLY! It's a total experience! RUSH also offers the opportunity to put your driving skills to the test with the fun (and funny!) pals from Disney's CARS! With Tow Mater as the guide and narrator, this portion of the game is chock full of comical quips that will have the whole family roaring with laughter!
Official Game Synopsis:
Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure, invites families and fans of all ages to experience the worlds of five beloved Disney Pixar films like never before. Through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360, scan yourself into the game to become a unique character in five Pixar worlds.
Put yourself into the action!Use KinectScan to become a unique character and help your Pixar friends in five vibrant Pixar worlds. Become a super spy in Cars, save the day as a robot in Toy Story, adventure through Paris as a clever rat in Ratatouille, stop Syndrome as a super hero in Incredibles, and help Karl as an intrepid Wilderness Explorer in UP.
Explore and discover!Experience the sights and sounds of each Pixar world as you solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets. Meet new friends and unlock adventures as you progress.
Features:
Fast-paced Adventure
KinectScan - Play the leading role as a unique character in your own Pixar story
Full Body Movement/Gameplay
Puzzle Solving
Cooperative Gameplay with Pixar characters or another player
Overall, Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure offers the magical opportunity to jump into your families favorite Disney & Pixar Films. It's an action packed adventure from start to finish and will surely get the entire family up and moving. This game encourages cooperative gameplay and offers the opportunity for active indoor play. The majority of the game requires that the players (1-2 players can participate) to run, and to move their arms, legs, and body to manipulate the characters in the game through the various scenes/levels (through the Kinect sensor). The graphics in this game are phenomenal and truly create the ultimate Disney experience.
Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure is the perfect way to get the family up, moving, and having FUN!The pefect pick for your next family game night!
Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure is rated E for Everyone (includes mild cartoon violence). Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure is available exclusively for Xbox 360 Kinect, and can be found at retailers Nationwide. To learn more about Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure and to purchase it online visit www.xbox.com/kinectrush
Ready to experience the Action Packed FUN of Kinect Rush? One Lucky One Savvy Mom Reader will receive Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure and a 4GB XBOX 360 Console + Kinect!
The Ultimate Family Vacation Destination! Take a trip to Kawawii Island, a virtual resort for the entire family with dozens of co-operative and competitive activities and events to meet the needs of each and every family member. There's something for everyone from extreme activities like sky diving, surfing and white water rafting to sports like beach volleyball, skiing and tennis. Want to explore the island?
There's horseback riding, scuba diving, snowmobiles and many different vehicles for travel around the expansive locales. Take some time to relax and play some miniature golf, have a snowball fight, shoot water guns or play some carnival games.
Go Vacation encourages parents and kids to participate together in group activities featuring simple gameplay, multiple challenges, hours of play and fun for the whole family! There's never a dull moment when you Go Vacation!
Key Game Features:
The Ultimate Family Vacation Spot - There are exciting activities for up to four players spread out all across the island. Explore all the locations to experience four seasons of fun activities all on one island
More Than Just Sports - In addition to Kawawii Island's large selection of recreational and extreme sports, you can build your own villa and bring your pet dog along to play in activities.
It's a Real Vacation - All the fun and relaxation and none of the planning required - snap photos of the island and partake in the resort lifestyle anytime you need a break
Many Ways to Play - Activities on Kawawii Island support the Wii MotionPlus, Wii Zapper accessory, and Wii Balance Board for more advanced ways to play (Wii control accessories sold separately).
Jam-Packed with Fun - More activities than you'll know what to do with - Ride jet skis, race cars, play beach volleyball, hang glide, fish, surf, scuba dive, skate, snowboard, miniature golf, sky dive, horseback riding, play carnival games, and much more
A Little Bit About Happy Feet Two The Game For Xbox360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Playstation 3
It's Time to Get Happy! In the footsteps of the Academy Award winning Happy Feet comes a beat-bumping, musical adventure based on the coolest movie of the year. In Happy Feet Two: The Videogame, play as Mumble as he traverses the Antarctic landscape with his best friend Ramon to save their penguin tribe from extinction.
Key Features:
Tap to the beat: All new, controller-based dance system that uses the player's rhythm to bring the Antarctic landscape to life. Use dance moves to stun enemies and help recruit other penguins to join the cause.
Get in to the rhythm with a friend: Co-op play as Mumble and Ramon and unlock special challenges along the way.
Dance the adventure?in 3D! PS3, Xbox 360 and 3DS presented with both standard and 3D gameplay modes.
Game soundtrack comprised of original music by 3-time Grammy Award winner Ozoma.
Our Experience
Explore the Antarctic this Holiday season with YOUR family in an effort to same this adorable penguin nation!
In this brand new game for Xbox, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and Playstation 3; Happy Feet Two offers up tons of fun in an easy to follow format, great for younger children (Rated E -For Everyone). Each level offers tutorials as you follow along to the same storyline presented in the movie (playing in theaters now-definitely a must see family film!). Collect music notes as you navigate the icy terrain to unlock new songs, and get other penguins to join your quest by tapping in time to the beat. Happy Feet Two the game is a musical adventure that's perfect for your next family game night! It would also make a super stocking stuffer or an excellent Holiday gift!
To check out this game in play see our video review below.
