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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To bloody hate games console adverts that claim to 'bring the whole fmaily together'?

50 replies

itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 08/12/2011 15:04

I hate them. I really do.

ESPECIALLY that awful advert with the Dad and son, where the Dad is going 'Oh Santa, let me be his hero one more time...' whilst playing some kind of sword-fighting dragon-conquering shitty game together.

I hate it. I hate how games consoles are being sold as the 'solution' to a harmonious family Christmas. I don't doubt that there's a time and a place, but these adverts are bloody nauseating! Anyone agree with me?

OP posts:

Crosshair · 08/12/2011 16:05

yanbu due to the fact its a single player game.

LeQueen · 08/12/2011 16:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NeuromanticisedVisionsofXmas · 08/12/2011 16:35

if you really think buying a wii is going to do that, you prob shouldn't be allowed out to the shops on your own.

minimisschief · 08/12/2011 16:46

kind of bored seeing people whine about things they know nothing about.

Gaming is no less anti social as other things such as watching tv,reading,posting on mumsnet.

There are games you play alone and games you can play together with. There are party games,music games,puzzle games, dancing games,quiz games and the list goes on. yesterday my xbox got an update that turned it into a huge online social networking device. It does facebook and lovefilm rentals and all sorts of other stuff.

My brother is very far away from his real life friends and can chat and play with them every night. he even chats to them while playing on his own.

Me and my fiancee atm are playing lego harry potter when the kids are in bed. it is interactive and fun

So i have to say yabu

Original poster

itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 08/12/2011 16:52

Actually mini we do have a ps3 in our house with a couple of the Lego games, a Toy Story 3 one which is quite quite and a few others. I have to disagree with you that the Lego games are interactive, even on Multiplayer. Thanks for assuming I know nothing though.

It's more the adverts I don't like... I can't believe no one else hates that one with the father and son on! It makes me shudder!

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 08/12/2011 16:59

I smiled when I saw it because I have 3 boys and they love their Saturday morning Xbox time with DH.

It struck a chord with me what the Dad was saying...mainly because it's tongue in cheek.

bruffin · 08/12/2011 17:01

Of course the lego games in multiplayer mode are interactive. You have to cooperate to play together.

Get0rf · 08/12/2011 17:02

I used to have a wii - but after smashing the lampshade twice with my Steffi Graf serve I gave up on it.

We have also got a playstation, DP and I are useless at games, but it is very useful for drunken games of singstar. It is just a glorified DVD player for 99% of the time though.

I don't see how some console games are any different than sitting round and playing monopoly together (which I always win, btw, have the make that clear).

GypsyMoth · 08/12/2011 17:05

Ha it's advertised on mumsnet too..... I took part in this summers wii product test.

LieInsAreRarerThanTigers · 08/12/2011 17:07

Playing on the Wii together, especially certain games, is 100s of times better than just vegging out in front of the telly. If ds has a friend round, I love watching them cooperate on Lego Batman, and we regularly have tournaments on other games. I probably wouldn't have bought the thing, dh bought it as a surprise whole-family present a few years ago then added the Wii Fit last year, but it has actually made us play together more.
So YABU, sorry.

Original poster

itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 08/12/2011 17:11

BTW, I would like to make it clear that I won't be stopping DS from having a Wii or whatever when he's older (assuming he wants one).

I just don't like the way they're advertised as the solution to a happy family Christmas.

OP posts:

themightyfandango · 08/12/2011 17:12

We all love playing Wii monopoly. We play far more than the actual board game.

Is a source of many arguements though

NeuromanticisedVisionsofXmas · 08/12/2011 18:02

Who says they are the solution to a happy family xmas? Sounds like your ishoos, tbh.

Morloth · 08/12/2011 20:02

YABU and have clearly never spent an afternoon trying to squash virtual rabbits that POP up from your living room floor. Giggling at the toddler trying to figure out where they are coming from.

said · 08/12/2011 20:08

I think it's unreasonable that all the families are good looking

I'm getting twitchy at people saying "gaming" now as well

Morloth · 08/12/2011 20:09

kladdaka DH an I once discussed the possibility of another baby in the hope that in 10 years or so this would mean no more pugs.

But then we realised as a priest/warrior combo we could pretty much rent ourselves out.

;)

Clayhead · 08/12/2011 20:15

We play the Wii when all the family are over and find it fantastic fun - a great leveller as grandparents and kids can ply games together. I am not normally into these types of things but I love playing Wii Party with the dc!

NeuromanticisedVisionsofXmas · 08/12/2011 20:33

What is wrong with gaming?

I've just seen the ad in question, its a bit twee but no more so than many. Plus it made me think...my seven year old thinks I am so come kind of amazing Mario guru because I played them all the first tiem around on the N64. I totally am his gaming hero!

Morloth · 08/12/2011 20:46

My 7 year old called me a noob.

Cheeky whippersnapper, I was gaming before it became mainstream.

Original poster

itsbrandybutterandtinseltime · 08/12/2011 22:53

I have actually said its the ad I don't like...

We have a games console, I don't mind it. Genuinely! Just hate the icky advert!

OP posts:

ChristmasRose · 08/12/2011 23:08

DD1 and I have had some fantastic times doing the karoke games on wii.

Though it was pretty embrassing when the neighbour complained

However, we rarely play the Wii but when we do it is just a bit of fun now and then and an activity to do together. I cant see any issues myself at all to be honest.

It adds to a family, not makes the family

Pixel · 09/12/2011 00:15

I agree the games can be great (do Wii island jogging with dd), but that advert is pretty awful. I mean, he is moaning that his son is growing up and no longer wants to spend time with his dopey old dad. Therefore the son is obviously too old to believe in Santa right? Should be Father Christmas anyway but we'll let that go on this occasion. So why is he asking Santa for help? I should think he can be a hero in his son's eyes simply by going to the game shop and buying the bloomin' game!

stuffthenonsense · 09/12/2011 08:24

Well, the adverts bring our family together in a 'get a life and have a conversation' type rant...but i also despise the adverts. Children should be thinking their parents are heroes because of what they do in RL, not because they can press a button/swipe a stick or whatever and play a game. My dad was my hero because he sorted out a bullying problem, helped me with my weekly spellings/ mental arithmatic tests etc etc etc...i never considered him a hero for buying mayfair or checkmating me. (I am old, shoot me with your pointy wii thing)

Butkin · 09/12/2011 09:47

Now the evenings are dark we love to play on the wii with DD. We all have a go at bowling together then move onto some of the board type games (which are more fun that actual board games). I think they are much better than just watching TV all the time and DD loved the ski game so much we've now started her on lessons at the snowdome.

Cruntie · 09/12/2011 09:52

I am frankly outraged that these so-called television advertisements are selling the idea of a better life to flog their products.

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