Fathers who play MMO's, I need your help

Greetings all

I am simply a father who likes to play MMO's. I tend to get along with other fathers because they can relate to wife/girlfriend aggro, scheduling your playtime around your child(ren) and every other life issue that go hand in hand with being a father.

I am currently making a website that is dedicated to fathers who play MMO's where we can share ideas on how to combine our love for our children with our love for gaming. I don't think we should have to choose between one or another. I have a forum where we can talk and chat about issues that pertain to us.

Go check it out at mmodads .com Feel free to post anything you like.

I need help with:

Graphics:

Sigs and banners for MMO Dads.

Forum Moderator:

Need a moderator or two for my forums who will also spread the word to other dads about us.

Suggestions:

I need suggestions from all fathers. Stories, troubles and solutions from all the fathers experiences out there.

The best way to get ahold of me right now is to reply in this thread.

Thank you!

EDITED broken link. - JodyR

Wow! Thank you all for the great replies!

Even if you do not have a child, you can still come in and contribute your ideas! You never know when you will become a father! :p

You do not need any skills other then ideas or even questions to be part of MMO Dads! Even if my website is just a place for us to talk, it will accomplish what I am trying to do. :)

Greetings all

I am simply a father who likes to play MMO's. I tend to get along with other fathers because they can relate to wife/girlfriend aggro, scheduling your playtime around your child(ren) and every other life issue that go  hand in hand with being a father.

I am currently making a website that is dedicated to fathers who play MMO's where we can share ideas on how to combine our love for our children with our love for gaming.  I don't think we should have to choose between one or another. I have a forum where we can talk and chat about issues that pertain to us.

Go check it out at http://www.mmodads.com/ . Feel free to post anything you like.

I need help with:

Graphics:

Sigs and banners for MMO Dads.

Forum Moderator:

Need a moderator or two for my forums who will also spread the word to other dads about us.

Suggestions:

I need suggestions from all fathers. Stories, troubles and solutions from all the fathers experiences out there.

 

The best way to get ahold of me right now is to reply in this thread.

 

Thank you!

savvon

this was a wonderfull idea, we should all have that link in our sig :) 

Hey ill join up.. as one of the fathers...

I love playing MMO's and my gf is angry for that:P

she likes to train i ikes to play MMO:P

IDEA:
if there is fathers or others that likes to play MMO and dont like to pay or just to make a comunity
a PVS(PrivateServer) that we can game somethimes together and all that could be fun to

Why should you have to choose between love of your children and "love" for gaming? I would hope that these are two very different kinds of love. Having to choose one over the other? Obviously that choice was made for you when you decided to have children. Basically, the first time you tell your kid "no" to some activity because you are playing WoW, you have failed as a parent. Yea.

I am a 20 year old boy stuck in a 36 years old body! I am a father, husband, teacher and gamer.

If anybody wants to come over to my site and create an account it is free! All I want to do is create a community where we can talk about everything.

BonR , great idea! Even though private servers are "illegal" and we cannot talk about that subject here, we can talk about anything on my forums because "we" make the rules!

Knut-am, I would love to have banners for sigs! Problem is, I am not an artist! If anyone could help us make banners, that would be great!

I am thinking, all we need is around 5-10 members to get the word out and start getting a community together!

Why should you have to choose between love of your children and "love" for gaming? I would hope that these are two very different kinds of love. Having to choose one over the other? Obviously that choice was made for you when you decided to have children. Basically, the first time you tell your kid "no" to some activity because you are playing WoW, you have failed as a parent. Yea.

Sushbag88

These are the opinions that we are used to hearing from people who have no children or do not play MMO's.

MMO Dads is to provide a place where people can talk about gaming and get help from other parents about being a father.

For example, I love rocky road ice cream. If I could find a better way to eat rocky road ice cream and hold my 2 week old son at the same time, I would like to know it! Maybe MMO Dads will have someone who knows a trick about eating rocky road ice cream and holding a baby at the same time! Of course this may not be your problem because maybe you do not have children or do not like ice cream, but the MMO Dads do!

Hope that helps!

It's pretty easy, just don't come home from work and get on the PC, then get off when it is time to say goodnight to the kids. Family and MMORPG's do not mix unless you have enough discipline to not be on them for hours at a time. Show me an MMORPG where you can get something done past level 30 that does not take hours at a time. Hell, in WOW some of the lower level instances can take you a few hours to get through depending. It is about priorities, either they are straight or they are not. Play ball with your kid or go on that raid your guild scheduled? Hmmmm...vfibsux

Exactly!

You bring up wonderful reasons why to come to MMODADS.com!

1. Maybe some Dads will have guides on post 30 adventuring for the father who cannot play hours at a time.

2. Maybe some Dads will have another MMO suggestion that would fit their play style more.

3. Maybe some Dads will have tips on how to manage their schedule better.

Instead of complaining or getting verbal abuse from people who do not understand our lifestyle, I did something about it and created a website for me and people like me.

It is not as easy as you might think. In fact, if you think it is so easy, you should write a book because many people would buy it for they do not think it is easy.

MMO Dads is simply about maximizing your life.

 I dunno. Yeah, Im a dad too, two kids but that doesnt mean I want to join. I might in the future......You coulda open a union here, it would be better, I think, cuz this is where I like and hangout. Dogswithguns

I like hanging out here as well. I thought about opening up a union here, but MMO Dads is all over the net, not just here. Also, the rules and the options are very limited here for what I am trying to accomplish. There is no rule that says you cannot hang out at more then one forum.

However, who wants to see a picture of you and your children here? Other dads of course! If you ever want genuine suggestions about fathering and/or gaming, then we should have a place of our own where people understand our lifestyle.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on point of view) I don't play MMO's :P but I wanted to throw in a Good Luck!!! I think it's a great idea, putting together an accessible community of people similar to yourself (i.e. people that can't devote hours upon hours into a game) to get together for gaming and talk about issues, etc.

I remember when I did previously play BF2, the group I gamed with always thought it would be neat to be a part of an older gaming community (25 and over for example), and from within you could have scrims and matches. This is because of schedules and not being able to spend hours and hours on the computer, it would need to be something much more flexible and casual than what typical clans expect.

Maybe you should of thought about this problem BEFORE you you had children..

hahahaha.. jk. but videos game well be there. Your children won't.

Hey good luck. I am not a dad but hey I am trying my second mmo today(wow). But I work full time and take over time college, work at my church, have a gf, and love to play games. Obviously time management is important! When you get it set up can u send me a pm? I will be happy to sign up and contribute with anything! I dont have any cool skills... but hey! I would add another member! Btw I am a 25 year old stuck in a 20 year old body! (though I am simply old looking I am simply 17) I thought that was kinda random... Whew! I need some sleep!

Later man,

good luck

You should make a union for thisdarkfox101

I have a website set up already. Go to www.mmodads.com. I can accomplish so much more with so many more options with a website of my own. Unions are great for Gamespot memebers, but what about the rest of the internet? As I have stated before, we can talk about anything over at MMO Dads. Here, the forums are more moderated.

Also, I thought about doing a "gamer dads" theme, but I think MMO's need more attention because they are always "on". There is no pause button like there is on single player games.

You do not have to be a dad to be part of the community, you can have a wife, girlfriend or even a family member that does not understand your life****and come to us for advice, give advice or just rant.

Everyone! If you want to help build a community for us, go to www.mmodads.com.

"MMODADS is a place where we merge our love for our children with the love for gaming. There is no reason why you have to give up one to enjoy the other. Here, you can have your cake and eat it too!" Hahaha what a great opening statement. Sounds like a good idea for a website, too, as there are at least a few dads in my World of Warcraft guild.mrbojangles25

Thanks! Please tell your guildmates about MMO Dads! I hope it will be useful for them!

[QUOTE="vfibsux"]It's pretty easy, just don't come home from work and get on the PC, then get off when it is time to say goodnight to the kids. Family and MMORPG's do not mix unless you have enough discipline to not be on them for hours at a time. Show me an MMORPG where you can get something done past level 30 that does not take hours at a time. Hell, in WOW some of the lower level instances can take you a few hours to get through depending. It is about priorities, either they are straight or they are not. Play ball with your kid or go on that raid your guild scheduled? Hmmmm...savvon

Exactly!

You bring up wonderful reasons why to come to MMODADS.com!

1. Maybe some Dads will have guides on post 30 adventuring for the father who cannot play hours at a time.

2. Maybe some Dads will have another MMO suggestion that would fit their play style more.

3. Maybe some Dads will have tips on how to manage their schedule better.

Instead of complaining or getting verbal abuse from people who do not understand our lifestyle, I did something about it and created a website for me and people like me.

It is not as easy as you might think. In fact, if you think it is so easy, you should write a book because many people would buy it for they do not think it is easy.

MMO Dads is simply about maximizing your life.

Actually, the point of my post is why bother playing them at all? They take too much time, the only thing I see you doing is staying up later after they are in bed, which means getting less sleep, but then you also have a wife to worry about in most cases. I have been a father for 12 years and have been down the MMORPG road starting with UO and ending with Daoc and a brief WoW stint. I shy away from them now, thankfully they all seem to suck. Take too much time away from what is really important. I don't want to choose between spending time with my kids and going on a guild raid, or getting a quest done. Should never even be a contest imo. 

Actually, the point of my post is why bother playing them at all? They take too much time, the only thing I see you doing is staying up later after they are in bed, which means getting less sleep, but then you also have a wife to worry about in most cases. I have been a father for 12 years and have been down the MMORPG road starting with UO and ending with Daoc and a brief WoW stint. I shy away from them now, thankfully they all seem to suck. Take too much time away from what is really important. I don't want to choose between spending time with my kids and going on a guild raid, or getting a quest done. Should never even be a contest imo.  vfibsux

 Says the man from a gaming forum...

What bothers me about the feeling of negativity from both your post is, you could help others just from your experience with MMO's and fatherhood. You would rather be negative towards what I am trying to make a positive then give a few encouraging words. /boggle

The funny thing is, you are the type of person I want in my community. You can do more good then you know just by just typing some words on a forum made for MMO Dads.

I want people to help people respect each other more then they do now. I did what I thought was right and I made a website with an idea and my lack of skills. I feel some people just don't want anybody to do any good anymore.

[QUOTE="vfibsux"]Actually, the point of my post is why bother playing them at all? They take too much time, the only thing I see you doing is staying up later after they are in bed, which means getting less sleep, but then you also have a wife to worry about in most cases. I have been a father for 12 years and have been down the MMORPG road starting with UO and ending with Daoc and a brief WoW stint. I shy away from them now, thankfully they all seem to suck. Take too much time away from what is really important. I don't want to choose between spending time with my kids and going on a guild raid, or getting a quest done. Should never even be a contest imo.  savvon

 Says the man from a gaming forum...

What bothers me about the feeling of negativity from both your post is, you could help others just from your experience with MMO's and fatherhood. You would rather be negative towards what I am trying to make a positive then give a few encouraging words. /boggle

The funny thing is, you are the type of person I want in my community. You can do more good then you know just by just typing some words on a forum made for MMO Dads.

I want people to help people respect each other more then they do now. I did what I thought was right and I made a website with an idea and my lack of skills. I feel some people just don't want anybody to do any good anymore.

dont worry Savvon :) i stick to my original reply and say its a wonderfull idea. i would beleve all other encuragements in here too are valid. that the family come first i dont think anyone here disagree on.you make a good effort, stick to it :)

Thanks knut-am!

We are having a great conversation over at the site right now! It has been a blast these last couple of days!

This is a great idea, I just wish I had the skills the help you out with this project.thanatose

Same :(

Ade.

[QUOTE="thanatose"]This is a great idea, I just wish I had the skills the help you out with this project.Ade_Newman

Same :(

Ade.

You all have the skills needed to help MMO Dads. Just you being on the site and being supportive is all the skill you need!

[QUOTE="vfibsux"]Actually, the point of my post is why bother playing them at all? They take too much time, the only thing I see you doing is staying up later after they are in bed, which means getting less sleep, but then you also have a wife to worry about in most cases. I have been a father for 12 years and have been down the MMORPG road starting with UO and ending with Daoc and a brief WoW stint. I shy away from them now, thankfully they all seem to suck. Take too much time away from what is really important. I don't want to choose between spending time with my kids and going on a guild raid, or getting a quest done. Should never even be a contest imo. savvon

Says the man from a gaming forum...

What bothers me about the feeling of negativity from both your post is, you could help others just from your experience with MMO's and fatherhood. You would rather be negative towards what I am trying to make a positive then give a few encouraging words. /boggle

The funny thing is, you are the type of person I want in my community. You can do more good then you know just by just typing some words on a forum made for MMO Dads.

I want people to help people respect each other more then they do now. I did what I thought was right and I made a website with an idea and my lack of skills. I feel some people just don't want anybody to do any good anymore.

I know it was negative, which is why I added the post saying good luck to you and hope it helps people, guess you chose to ignore that fact.

 "Says the man from a gaming forum".....

Ummm, I log in here maybe twice a day at most for a matter of minutes, usually once before my kids are up and once after they goto bed. And yes, I am a gamer, I play games where I can play for 20 minutes and save if need be, games that do not require 12 hour raids with barely a break to piss let alone spend time with kids. My point to you was there is no place for someone raising kids in the MMORPG world unless you do not need to sleep after they go to bed. There is no discussion from my end of it, obviously if you like the genre that much you need to make a website and find the best way to compromise, which is what you are doing. As I said, good luck with finding what you are looking for, I already gave you my answer, it is just not the one you wanted to hear.

I am not telling others what to do with their time, just giving my opinion on the subject. I am a recovering MMORPG addict, I came to the painful conclusion that they just do not mix with family life and only cause problems. Not only family life but being a productive person altogether. If you can play these games without feeling the need to be on for hours at a time have at it, my guess is you are in the minority. My bottom line here is just like an addict of anything, cutting down on your addiction is only a temporary fix and it will not be long until you are back full swing again. MMORPG's make you choose between other things in your life and your virtual life, any game that forces you to spend 12 hours online to complete one event brings that with it. So you either do not play them at all, play them and limit your interaction within the game, or just choose that life altogether and risk losing your family.

 Did I mention I am divorced? Gaming had a hand in my marriage going to crap and now I only have my kids a week at a time every other week. I would trade all the MMORPG's I ever played to have my kids back everyday again. I will not come to your site because that is what I will bring, if you ask me to help MMORPG dads I will tell them to quit playing them. If that is the message you want I can bring it.

vfibsux,

What i find disconcerning is that you are the person I made this website for, albiet a little more on the extreme side. Instead of crying over spilled milk about your losses, you need to man-up! Come over to MMODADS.com and share your do's and don'ts with us so people do not make the same mistakes you have. Wouldn't you rather help other Dads with your experience instead of being negative here? Don't you want someone on your side for once who understands your frustration?

It is never too late to become a better man!

Have you even been to MMODADS.com? Have you read our forums? I don't think you have because if you had, you would of seen we are talking about food recipes, music for our children and coming up with great ideas for MMO's that are casual friendly for dads. In fact, we have not really gotten into any deep conversations about games yet. We are having too much fun being Dads!

Have you even been to MMODADS.com? Have you read our forums? I don't think you have because if you had, you would of seen we are talking about food recipes, music for our children and coming up with great ideas for MMO's that are casual friendly for dads. savvon

Mmm, food recipes, barbeque and grilling, can't go wrong with that :D

Savvon, have you tried spreading the word about your site on WOW specific message boards for example? I don't play MMOs, so I don't know any in particular, and I could be wrong, but I'm thinking you might get an older audience there, I know some people where WOW is the only game they play, which is all many "older" people have time for. Either way, more exposure for your site wouldn't hurt :P  

MMODADS.com is a good idea and cause.

http://www.theesa.com/facts/gamer_data.php

Average age of gamers??? 33!

Thanks for your support!

I have not tried any WoW specific board yet. Most MMO's require that you play them to be able to post on their boards. Maybe if a person who see's this thread can post for me on their games board they play?

I'd join but im not a dad :Ddarkfox101

Lol me niether, that can be fixed though :)

MMO Dads is shaping up pretty nicely!

Come and visit us!

If you want to help us by supporting us, I have made some simple banners for your sigs!

Here are some "sliver" sigs that I just threw together. I think these will be perfect to put under your own sig. They do not take up that much space.  ;D

The top two are for LOTRO, the middle is for SWG and the last three are for WoW.

Have fun!

Sadly, between the time I spend with my 2yr old and wife, at work and on WoW, I have little time to help.

Good idea nonetheless. 

Sadly, between the time I spend with my 2yr old and wife, at work and on WoW, I have little time to help.

 

Good idea nonetheless. 

Johnny_Rock

I understand. However, takes very little effort to place one of my sliver banner on your signature and it helps us a lot! :D

Hi, just been to your site and it sure does need some graphics and images to bring your idea to life. It is a real great idea and highlights the impact that gaming has on our culture and families.

I run a graphic design company (PointBlunt Productions) and gaming site (Noize.com.na) and I can help with some graphics for you, if we can come up with a banner exchange arrangement. Drop me a PM with your email or contact me via email (see my profile for details) and let me know if you are interested!

Regards and all the best for your site! 

Hi, just been to your site and it sure does need some graphics and images to bring your idea to life. It is a real great idea and highlights the impact that gaming has on our culture and families.

I run a graphic design company (PointBlunt Productions) and gaming site (Noize.com.na) and I can help with some graphics for you, if we can come up with a banner exchange arrangement. Drop me a PM with your email or contact me via email (see my profile for details) and let me know if you are interested!

Regards and all the best for your site!

Brendonius

Just shot you a PM! I am eager to see what ideas you have! 

Savvon can you just stop right now please. I had to come back to this thread again and post. I am a college student and I don't even have time to play WoW anymore, it simply takes up too much time. WoW wasn't the first MMO I played either, I've played my share. But I'm glad the two years I spent with WoW were mostly before I entered college.

You're sitting here telling another father he is wrong because all he said was "MMO's take up too much time, don't play them." Your snide attitude, just like a lot of MMO players I've known, is typical. But not for someone calling himself a parent, get with it man. I'm not saying you can't still be a gamer, but give me a break if you think you can neglect your child for a second due to gaming. Find a way to balance the two.

"Well you don't what it's like to be a parent, and you haven't played MMORPGS." You got me on one issue, congratulations. I know the destructive potential of MMO's, how they can turn friends against each other. And I'm sure they can suck too much valuable time away from a parent too, just like with anyone else. One doesn't need to have fathered a child to know this. You just need to have common sense. Or, conversely, you just need to have played these kinds of games for enough years to know that they can become way too important in your daily schedule than should be allowed. I got that part down pat.

"Become a better man, man-up and stop crying. Come to my little website and be a real man who plays MMO's." Are you absolutely KIDDING me? Just stop it. I had a good laugh at your rants the first time this thread caught my eye but now it's just pitiful. You amaze me. You're saying that men need to log on and go on a raid instead of spending that time with their friends and family? Alright, maybe not raid. Perhaps you'd just like to play a little bit here and there, build up an online community and have a good time. That I would actually have no problem with. But when you start putting people, other fathers no less, down because they don't play those games I find it low. It's astonishing, really.

Now, this should go without saying but apparently you need to hear it: There are many great computer games which don't require the kind of persistent, long-term play that WoW does. Ever heard of Starcraft? Counter-Strike? Anything? What about Xbox 360 games? There's great community features built right in to the online experience. I mean these games are more fun in the long run because you don't have all the baggage, you just get on, play, have fun, relax, and stop whenever you need to. I would imagine for a father, you need to be able to put down the mouse on a moment's notice and, I don't know, be a father when the time comes. And unfortunately in WoW you can't always just go AFK and leave people hanging. That's one of the many reasons to just not play. And make no damn mistake, I am not saying World of Warcraft is a bad game. Most of the MMO's are, but WoW is fantastic, at least for a time. It's fun when you first start, and if you can play it and not get too hooked, it's fun over time as well. It's one of the best games I've ever played. I know that it's a game everyone should check out, if only because of the amazing accomplishment Blizzard achieved with the game out of the box. But I also know the end game is a huge time sink, and that even for me I don't have the time to sit there and waste time on it while I have more important things to do. And when I do have time to game, I just prefer games which don't require a grind. There's nothing quite like a thrilling game of CS my friend. Nothing like it.

So, here's a suggestion for your gaming dad site: Switch to more conducive games. It would make all the difference. Games which don't require you to make a decision about whether to play ball with your son or raid with your meaningless WoW guild. And don't fool yourself into thinking the communities you are involved with on WoW are as important (or God forbid more important) as your family. I'm done, and I heartily await your attempt at a rebuttal.

vfibsux,

What i find disconcerning is that you are the person I made this website for, albiet a little more on the extreme side. Instead of crying over spilled milk about your losses, you need to man-up! Come over to MMODADS.com and share your do's and don'ts with us so people do not make the same mistakes you have. Wouldn't you rather help other Dads with your experience instead of being negative here? Don't you want someone on your side for once who understands your frustration?

It is never too late to become a better man!

Have you even been to MMODADS.com? Have you read our forums? I don't think you have because if you had, you would of seen we are talking about food recipes, music for our children and coming up with great ideas for MMO's that are casual friendly for dads. In fact, we have not really gotten into any deep conversations about games yet. We are having too much fun being Dads!

savvon

Don't pretend to know me, since youhave no clue where I am coming from I chose to tell my personal reasons why I feel the way I do, I was not whining, now you just sound like an a-hole. Why the hell do you keep trying to get me on your site when you cannot even handle me writing my thoughts down here??? Man up? To post on your freaking site? I am a father who now spends time with his kids over gaming and a member of the armed forces of the United States, do not tell me I need to man up just to visit your site.You keep asking me wouldnt I rather help dads, I already told your thick headed self that is exactly what I am doing, parenting and MMORPG's do not mix! That is my opinion, my way of helping dads would be to spread that opinion and why. I give you my reasons for why I feel the way I do and you tell me to man up and stop crying, to hell with you and your website.

FYI, I have given MMORPG's a look since then since I only have my kids every other week, they just all suck now anyway. If you are going to try and balance parenting with gaming pick a better genre. 

[QUOTE="savvon"]

vfibsux,

What i find disconcerning is that you are the person I made this website for, albiet a little more on the extreme side. Instead of crying over spilled milk about your losses, you need to man-up! Come over to MMODADS.com and share your do's and don'ts with us so people do not make the same mistakes you have. Wouldn't you rather help other Dads with your experience instead of being negative here? Don't you want someone on your side for once who understands your frustration?

It is never too late to become a better man!

Have you even been to MMODADS.com? Have you read our forums? I don't think you have because if you had, you would of seen we are talking about food recipes, music for our children and coming up with great ideas for MMO's that are casual friendly for dads. In fact, we have not really gotten into any deep conversations about games yet. We are having too much fun being Dads!

vfibsux

Don't pretend to know me, since youhave no clue where I am coming from I chose to tell my personal reasons why I feel the way I do, I was not whining, now you just sound like an a-hole. Why the hell do you keep trying to get me on your site when you cannot even handle me writing my thoughts down here??? Man up? To post on your freaking site? I am a father who now spends time with his kids over gaming and a member of the armed forces of the United States, do not tell me I need to man up just to visit your site.You keep asking me wouldnt I rather help dads, I already told your thick headed self that is exactly what I am doing, parenting and MMORPG's do not mix! That is my opinion, my way of helping dads would be to spread that opinion and why. I give you my reasons for why I feel the way I do and you tell me to man up and stop crying, to hell with you and your website.

FYI, I have given MMORPG's a look since then since I only have my kids every other week, they just all suck now anyway. If you are going to try and balance parenting with gaming pick a better genre.

I happened to come across this in my past posts. You posted a review on an mmorpg on your profile a few months after writing that. Hypocrite.

I find it kind of funny that people get addicted to games... show some self control maybe? One of you said you are Military. have you not learned anything? The Marines taught me alot of self control. Oddly you must not have learned any.

Feel free to start a new discussion about MMO fathers. This was originally posted in 2007 and contains outdated information. Thanks!