The Konami Code Can’t Help Us Now
I spent a large part of my childhood tethered to a Nintendo. The only thing more depressing than the hours I wasted playing NES is eclipsed only by the hours I wasted, years later, with online role-playing games. Don’t get me wrong: I love video games. But marriage and fatherhood have drastically changed my priorities, and I can no longer justify the cost and time to play. It’s been so long, I no longer have even the urge.
So I’m mystified and terrified by the release of the PS3. The price alone makes me shudder: $600 for the console, and $60 per game. The father within me can’t fathom the waste. All I can see is health insurance, life insurance, mortgage, car payment, tuition, car insurance, natural gas bill…food. I’m certainly not willing to pay upwards of $600 to stand in line for several hours, risking theft, a punch in the face, or bullet in my chest, all for the chance to kill more realistic elves in surround sound.
What does this phenomenon teach our kids about perspective, instant gratification, and priorities? And it’s not as though this behavior is rare. Similar goings-on occurred last year, when IKEA launched a new store in London. Heck, I saw this two years ago on Black Friday, when Staples was selling folding tables for $5. Tables!
For now, Ian and I are happy playing Super Mario World and Tetris. And eating.
January 1st, 2007 at 8:28 am
I know exactly what you mean about money, time and priorities. When I became a parent, I was so worried about providing properly for my daughter (food, rent, clothes, insurance, etc.) that, for a long time, I could no longer justify spending any money on my Star Trek and Star Wars habits. They fell by the wayside, and all I did was glance longingly at toys and read wistfully about conventions that, before becoming a parent, I would have attended myself.
I reached a point, though, where I realized that it was okay for me to have this lifelong passion. It’s a great hobby and, as long as I enjoy it and don’t let it get in the way of my parenting, it’s okay for me to do this. I now allow myself a certain amount of money to spend on me, and if I decide to spend it on toys or attending a convention, that’s fine. If I decide there’s something else I want more, that’s also fine.
January 8th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Same here. I wanted so much to buy those 3rd generation console, ipods, digicams, and what-have-yous, but children’s future is my priority. It’s tough raising two teen-agers and a oney year old baby. If I were to sum up my expenses for milk and diapers, school tuition fees, allowances, etc., that would be enough to buy me a PS3 and Wii!
Good thing I was able to buy a PS2 from some extra dough. I guess it would take a year or two before I get hold of a Wii or PS3.
Ah…fatherdhood and responsibilities….
January 9th, 2007 at 10:35 am
I have a hard time saying no when it comes to electronics and gadgets, but I think the new video game systems are ridiculous. Even though we have a PS2 and a GameCube, I prefer the original Nintendo that sits in my basement. Besides, my son is young and the newer games are so much more complicated!
February 8th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Did you ever see the video of the parent giving his really overweight kids a Wii only a couple months before Christmas? They went nuts like Jesus just walked through the door. It was really really sad.