Could You Handle Your Kid Working For You? This hypothetical became reality for the creative director of a flashy new video game about fighting and food, Dosa Divas.

Could you handle your kid working for you? This hypothetical became reality for the creative director of Dosa Divas, a flashy new video game about fighting and food. www.crossplay.news/p/could-you-...

Eu tenho muito medo de como o estado do mercado de hardware vai estar quando o Neno precisar de um upgrade. Eu passei a vida inteira com setups medianos, segurando eles até virarem low end. Só fazia upgrade quando ficasse crítico, e olhe lá. Não queria que ele tivesse que passar por isso

How I Got Around Not Being Able to Afford a Good Gaming PC For My Kid What it means to play games with your kid when you both have potato PCs.

What it means to play games with your kid when you both have potato PCs www.crossplay.news/p/buying-a-g...

What Parents Need to Know About Roblox’s New “Child Accounts” Among other changes, Roblox is now curating what games kids can play, including removing games featuring "sensitive issues."

Among other changes, Roblox is now curating what games kids can play, including removing games featuring "sensitive issues." www.crossplay.news/p/what-are-r...

Most Arcades Feel Like Total Scams These Days When did we turn arcades into mini versions of Las Vegas?

When did we turn arcades into mini versions of Las Vegas? www.crossplay.news/p/most-arcad...

My Kids Fight My Bosses Sometimes, you need to recruit an eight-year-old to take down a nasty fight, you know?

Sometimes, you need to recruit an eight-year-old to take down a nasty fight, you know? www.crossplay.news/p/my-kids-fi...

My Kids Fight My Bosses Sometimes, you need to recruit an eight-year-old to take down a nasty fight, you know?

My first Crossplay piece was published today!

I don't often get to write about my kids and because @crossplayblog.bsky.social is a community at the intersection of parenting and games, it's such a lovely way to blend my personal and professional life.

www.crossplay.news/p/my-kids-fi...

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Is a Hollow Sugar Rush, But... It also feels like exactly the movie Nintendo wanted to make, a cinematic reflection of their approach to game design.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie feels like exactly the movie Nintendo wanted to make, a cinematic reflection of their approach to game design www.crossplay.news/p/the-super-...

A Dad, a Nine-Year-Old, And a Five-Year-Old Review Super Mario Bros. Wonder for Switch 2 Some family thoughts on Nintendo's family friendly update to a wonderful 2D Mario game.

Some family thoughts on Nintendo's family friendly update to a wonderful 2D Mario game. www.crossplay.news/p/super-mari...

Why Do So Many Children Love the Delightful Horror of Poppy's Playtime? A big question with, perhaps, some simple answers: kids like to be scared. But, of course, there's a lot more going on.

A big question with, perhaps, some simple answers: kids like to be scared. But, of course, there's a lot more going on. www.crossplay.news/p/why-do-kid...

I Sent My Nine-Year-Old to Coding School We have walked past a Code Ninjas for years. Finally, Code Ninjas called me up and offered to let her try it out.

We have walked past a Code Ninjas for years. Finally, Code Ninjas called @patrickklepek.bsky.social up and offered to let his daughter try it out www.crossplay.news/p/code-ninja...

Two Important AI Updates From the World of Roblox One use of AI seems like it'll make chat better. Another use of AI is one the company probably shouldn't be encouraging.

One use of AI in Roblox seems like it'll make chat better. Another use of AI is one the company probably shouldn't be encouraging. www.crossplay.news/p/new-ai-upd...

We'd love to have more voices and opinions from children at @crossplayblog.bsky.social. If you're interested, here's a review template your kids can use to review games and have them published at Crossplay in the future! Submit any and all reviews to patrick@crossplay.news

When I was a kid, my parents had absolutely zero interest in video games even though I was obsessed with them, and I honestly kind of liked that. It meant that even as a kid I had something that was “mine” that I had to tackle alone.

Am I The Problem? I always wanted to play games with my son. But recently, I’ve started to wonder if I’m doing more harm than good.

"I always wanted to play games with my son. But recently, I’ve started to wonder if I’m doing more harm than good." www.crossplay.news/p/playing-po...

A Father and Daughter's Review of Pokémon Pokopia In which Patrick and his nine-year-old daughter put on their critic hats for Nintendo's cozy new Pokémon video game that's all about, well, tasks.

In which @patrickklepek.bsky.social and his nine-year-old daughter put on their critic hats for Nintendo's cozy new Pokémon video game that's all about, well, tasks. www.crossplay.news/p/pokemon-po...

AI Has Come to Roblox Roblox is promoting its new "4D" AI tools inside an experience called Wish Master—and I've spent time figuring out what it can (and can't) do.

Roblox is promoting its new "4D" AI tools inside an experience called Wish Master—and Crossplay has spent time figuring out what it can (and can't) do. www.crossplay.news/p/how-kids-c...

What My Family Is Watching, Playing, and Listening to It's a Stranger Things-packed installment for the Klepek family.

It's a Stranger Things-packed installment for the Klepek family. www.crossplay.news/p/what-my-fa...

my 4 year old has put ~200 hours into astro bot over the last year and is starting to crave something new. we tried out kirby and the forgotten land, but it's little text heavy (& combat focused) for him.

are there other text-light platforming games he might enjoy?

cc @crossplayblog.bsky.social

Should Developers Let You Mute Swear Words in Video Games? Every family has a different approach to swearing. Should games help?

Every family has a different approach to swearing. Should games help? Should video games let you mute swearing? www.crossplay.news/p/should-vid...

Minecraft And Animal Crossing? Pokémon Pokopia Seems Extremely Promising For Families An hour with Nintendo's cozy Pokémon game shows a loop that might work for younger kids, older kids—and their parents.

An hour playing Nintendo's cozy Pokémon game shows a loop that might work for younger kids, older kids—and their parents. www.crossplay.news/p/pokemon-po...

Will Nintendo Finally Let Your Kids Be the Same Character in Super Mario Bros. Wonder? Plus, fresh off a Nintendo event in New York, some family-centric observations about Resident Evil 9, Pragmata, Mario Tennis Fever, and the Virtual Boy.

Can your kids *both* be Princess Peach or Mario in Nintendo's big update to Super Mario Bros. Wonder? The answer will not shock you. www.crossplay.news/p/can-you-be...

I guested on a podcast today talking about neurodivergent kids and video games and strongly recommended @patrickklepek.bsky.social and Crossplay @crossplayblog.bsky.social
If you have kids or work with kids it’s an absolutely invaluable resource!

Your Guide to February's Family Friendly Video Games Another sleepy month, unless you're into Apple's offerings, some teen-centric horror, or Mario and friends playing tennis.

Another sleepy month, unless you're into Apple's offerings, some teen-centric horror, or Mario and friends playing tennis. www.crossplay.news/p/video-game...

Nintendo Is Massively (!!) Improving Super Mario Bros. Wonder For Families Your child is not longer banished to Nabbit Jail, if they're bad at platformers.

Thank you, Nintendo. Your child is not longer banished to Nabbit Jail, if they're bad at platformers! www.crossplay.news/p/mario-bros...

My Kids Can’t Avoid AI Slop Anymore AI videos used to be obviously fake. We made fun of them. That's no longer true, and it's scary.

AI videos used to be obviously fake. We made fun of them. That's no longer true, and it's scary. www.crossplay.news/p/my-kids-ca...

We Wanted to Be Serious About Screen Time. We Changed Our Minds—And Everyone Was Fine Everyone wants to be the "responsible" parent who follows all the "guidelines." Then, reality sets in. Or, more accurately, a cuddly tanuki by the name of Tom Nook.

Everyone wants to be the "responsible" parent who follows all the "guidelines." Then, reality sets in. Or, more accurately, a cuddly tanuki by the name of Tom Nook. www.crossplay.news/p/why-we-cha...

How Parents and Kids Are Dealing With Roblox's Messy New Age Requirements If you can put on an "adult face" and trick Roblox's AI, is it really doing much? It depends.

If you can put on an "adult face" and trick Roblox's AI, is it really doing much? It depends. www.crossplay.news/p/new-chat-r...

It's Irresponsible How Easy Children Can Make New Accounts on Roblox What is the point of parental controls if they can just sign out and bypass them?

What is the point of Roblox having parental controls if kids can just sign out and bypass them?
www.crossplay.news/p/its-too-ea...

Your Guide to January's Family Friendly Video Games Onward to 2026. Whose kids are ready to use some gift cards?

Onward to 2026. Whose kids are ready to use some gift cards?
www.crossplay.news/p/video-game...