Crossplay

Crossplay is a newsletter exploring the intersection of parenting and video games, offering insights on challenges, opportunities for bonding, and navigating digital spaces with children. It emphasizes the balance between engaging with technology and maintaining family values, while also addressing industry perspectives on developing family-friendly content and the impact of gaming on young audiences.

Parenting in the Digital Age Video Games and Family Life Navigating Online Safety Family-Friendly Gaming Content Video Game Industry Insights Digital Literacy and Education Balancing Screen Time

The hottest Substack posts of Crossplay

And their main takeaways

Kids Are Playing the 'Pokémon With Guns' Game, Palworld. Here's What They Think of It

373 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. Palworld is a major hit game in 2024, selling millions of copies in less than a week with a mix of crafting, survival, and combat gameplay.
  2. Kids are enjoying playing Palworld because it combines elements from games like Fortnite, Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, and Pokemon.
  3. Despite controversies, kids find Palworld fun due to interactive mechanics, exploration, and capturing and utilizing different 'Pals.'

Even Diabetes Research Foundations Are Trying to Connect With Kids Through Roblox

235 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Online Communities Digital marketing Health tech
  1. JDRF used Roblox to create spaces for kids with type 1 diabetes to connect and learn about the condition.
  2. When trying to engage with a younger audience on platforms like Roblox, it's important to understand the platform and its audience well.
  3. Charity Walk Simulator in Roblox by JDRF incentivized players to walk and learn about diabetes, showing success with over 2,500 virtual bears given away in 24 hours.
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Ban All Claw Machines, Except This One

196 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Parenting
  1. Claw machines are attractive to children but often lead to problems.
  2. Losing is the point of claw machines, causing disappointment in children.
  3. Parents and caregivers should prevent children from using claw machines.

Thank you

1670 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Stories Lifestyle Entertainment
  1. The author reflects on financial struggles and the impact on family.
  2. Despite uncertainties, launching new projects led to a positive outcome.
  3. Enjoying special moments with family was possible due to new opportunities.

Oh No, My Three-Year-Old Has Discovered Microtransactions

255 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
  1. A three-year-old discovered microtransactions and keeps asking to buy things from an app.
  2. The parent finds it challenging to say no and ends up allowing the purchases.
  3. Despite being a great app, the continuous microtransactions can become a financial strain.

Welcome to Crossplay

1670 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
  1. Crossplay is a reader-funded publication focusing on video games and parenting.
  2. Expect regular reports and commentary on parenting and gaming challenges.
  3. The publication respects the privacy of the author's children and encourages community support.

The Surprises (and Dangers) of Finally Letting Your Kid Play Roblox

1336 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
  1. Letting kids play Roblox can lead to unexpected challenges like dealing with microtransactions and interactions with strangers.
  2. Parents often have to navigate the balance between personal values and their children's interests when it comes to technology.
  3. Roblox introduces risks like exposure to age-inappropriate content, the temptation of in-game purchases, and challenges in moderating online interactions.

Crossplay Mailbag: "Is Nintendo's Awful Online Setup Actually Great For Kids?"

746 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Online Services Parenting Video Games
  1. Kids may easily switch between different games and videos, affecting their level of commitment to a particular game
  2. Parents appreciate the strict controls of Nintendo's online setup for kids playing multiplayer games
  3. Introducing games to children can be influenced by personal values and the desire to guide the child's exposure in a positive way

One Developer’s Grueling Journey Making Video Games as a Single Parent

609 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
  1. Lisette Titre-Montgomery faced challenges as a single parent in the video game industry.
  2. She struggled with balancing work and parenting, facing discrimination and lack of support.
  3. The industry needs more empathy for parents and work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Crossplay Mailbag: How Do I Get My Kid to Play "Real" Games?

550 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
  1. Transitioning kids to standard controllers can be challenging, let their interests guide you
  2. Sharing gaming catalogs with kids can be interesting, let their curiosity drive exploration
  3. When it comes to letting kids watch streamers, research and vet them first for appropriateness

The Road to Anywhere

452 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Personal Stories Family Destination
  1. The routine drive to Wisconsin can be transformed into a personal family game using technology.
  2. Even though there are limited route options, using directions can sometimes lead to discovering new and interesting paths.
  3. Taking a different route can lead to discovering new communities and experiences along the way.

The Creators of Disney’s New Platformer Explain the Hard Lessons of Making Games for Kids

2 HN points • 14 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Development Design User Experience Children
  1. Developing games for kids requires focusing on making the game welcoming and accessible to players of all ages.
  2. Design choices should prioritize fun and player enjoyment over adhering to traditional standards.
  3. Engaging with focus groups of various age groups can reveal important insights for refining gameplay mechanics.