Getting Out of Collectible Card Game Hell

A fellow fatherly geek writes to us for advice on how he might safely exit his personal collectible card game Hell. Well, were’ no Virgil, but we think we can help guide this poor soul out with some helpful advice. And no, not a drop of Holy Water or lengthy rituals are necessary. All that is needed is time, patience, and the will to play Candy Land and games about cute little monsters you capture in small plastic balls for a couple of years. Continue reading

How Do I Get My Child Away From the &^$!%@* Video Games?!

A fellow geek and reader asks us how she can unglue her child from video games. Hmm… If is very tough to pull children away from the TV and computer screens. In our house, we managed to do it through tabletop games that compared to the video games our children were playing. Instead of trying to drag them away from the screen, entice them with something that is familiar to what they are already doing. Continue reading

Best Way to Store Games?

Bob S., a reader of Father Geek, has sent us a question asking if we can offer any suggestions on how to best store games. Is there a best way to store games? Perhaps, but when you take into consideration space, collection size, and personal preference to how a game should or should not be stored, there is no single good answer. But we do have suggestions! Continue reading

The Rise of “Indie” Games

Being independent means you are free to go your own way without being tethered to a larger group’s ideals. Independent thinkers cast off the idea that current beliefs and the status quo are the final solution and seek out to challenge and redefine the landscape around them. This landscape could be in the political world, the financial world, and believe it or not, the game hobby world. Continue reading

Outstanding Parents Guide to Tabletop Miniature Wargaming

There is more to our geek hobby than board games. Oh, so very, very much more. There are card games, dice games, live action games, role playing games, and the list goes on and on. One of the most visually stunning games of our collective hobby is also one of the most expensive and, some would argue, the most intimidating. I speak of the fantastic and always popular tabletop miniature wargaming. Continue reading

A Story of Game Design From A Game Designer

Being a game designer is very much like being an architect and an artist at the same time. Game designers must split their focus between form and function to achieve a final product that is both pleasing to the eye and fun to play. Doug Arduini, the designer of the trivia game, Non-Trival Quest, recently sent us a brief summary of how his game came to life and went from a simple idea to a fully realized self-published product. Continue reading

Gamewright’s 2011 Award Winning Games

Gamewright recently released news that they have been honored with 39 awards for all eight of their 2011 games. Highest honors include Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Seals for City Square Off and GUBS, Dr. Toy’s Top 100 Children’s Products for Mermaid Beach, and Parents’ Choice Gold awards for City Square Off and FlipOut. Impressed? So are we, but we aren’t surprised, either. Continue reading

Nipping Cheating in the Bud

A fellow geek and single mom writes to Father Geek asking us how we handle cheating. While it might be easy to simply call the little geek on the behavior and be done with it, you need to address the root cause of the behavior. Failure to do so could lead to cheating in the future and no lesson is learned in the process. The Father Geek staff weigh in and give their own stories in hopes of shedding some light on a situation we’re sure you’ve run into, too! Continue reading