The PlayLimit console is a token-based system of doling out TV and video-game time in 15-minute increments for kids
ages 4 to 12, though the
site also claims "it is certainly possible to use PlayLimit with teenagers" (which is something we tend to highly
doubt).
This blogger's first concern with this device was the ease with which kids might hack any rudimentary
limitation
to their playtime. PlayLimit's answer? Locking the composite connector inside the PlayLimit console itself. With a
keyed entry to the token slot, younger game addicts may have to resort to old-school arcade hacks to work around this
new intrusion to their unsupervised lives (or keep a second, hidden A/V cable to use as a spare).
What's telling is that a print ad for this "console" was found not in the latest edition of EGM, but in the
pages of Time Magazine. The people behind PlayLimit state that "the tokens empower kids to manage their own
time, so parents no longer have to be the 'time's up!' police." Is bringing
an
arcade-style reward system into the home the right way to teach children the importance of limits and the benefits
of non-gaming activities? Would gamer parents be interested in using this for their own kids? Or is this simply another
way for parents to abdicate the responsibility of vetting their kids' video consumption—and the willpower to just say
no?
Reader Comments (31)
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
I think it's brilliant. You can pay your kids in tokens for chores instead of money! Woot!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Good idea. Kids need to get off their fat asses and go play outside.
Giving kids rewards inform of play time is a good idea too. Gives parents control.
Giving kids rewards inform of play time is a good idea too. Gives parents control.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
How about parents just telling their kids to get out from in front of the TV playing games and go do something else? Alot cheaper I would think.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
How lame of an idea is this? If you kid is a fat game junky unhook the *ish and make him do jazzercise. I'm sure as a parent you can hook it up to your TV in your room and have more fun while your tubby is losing weight or studying.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
They could, but I believe the aim of the product is to teach kids themselves about time management by leaving it in their hands alone. Learning something on your own and understanding it on your own always breeds better long-term results than someone simply telling you to do something
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
If history can teach us anything... kids will just steal the tokens from their mother's purse.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Awesome idea, in theory. It's a good first step, but not perfect. I know when I was a kid I would find a way around it.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
I was thinking more along the lines of those string-tied tokens from back in the day, jc, but you've certainly got a point there about purses. And what about picking the token lockbox (or the dispenser in the console itself)? The life of a hacker starts early, folks!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
What if your time ran out before you were at a save point?
I'd be pissed!
I'd be pissed!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
I should get one of these to curb my girlfriend's sick Katamari addiction.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
#9: Yeah, it would suck if time was up before they got to a save point.
My solution: get a walkthrough of the game my kid is playing, tell them they're allowed to play up to x point in the game. Period.
That's how *I* manage my time.
My solution: get a walkthrough of the game my kid is playing, tell them they're allowed to play up to x point in the game. Period.
That's how *I* manage my time.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Dude, I need something like that.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
This is just retarded, this just goes with the whole "Parents are watching what the kids are doing". Sure go buy one, make yourself think you're being a better parent by STILL not paying attention to what your kids are doing.
Kid playing video games too much? Tell him/her to get their ass outside. They talked back to you? How dare they... pop them one across the mouth! such behavior shall not be tolerated! LoL
What ever happened to good ol' fashioned butt-whoopins' ? LoL
Kid playing video games too much? Tell him/her to get their ass outside. They talked back to you? How dare they... pop them one across the mouth! such behavior shall not be tolerated! LoL
What ever happened to good ol' fashioned butt-whoopins' ? LoL
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
I think limiting your kids from stuff like this is dumb. It's the parents job to cut their kid off and not some machine. Kids would find a way around it or worse make their parents pay in worse ways. If my kid was getting good grades and everything I wouldn't care if they played alot.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Or just pay $5 for unlimited time.
http://www.playlimit.com/store_plkeys.htm
http://www.playlimit.com/store_plkeys.htm
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Parenting arcade style, no quarters, no tokens no play.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Here are the PlayLimit's pause functions, as listed below:
http://www.playlimit.com/howplaylimitworks.htm
If needed, press Pause button
PlayLimit puts a "PAUSE" screen on the TV and the timer stops. The Time Display flashes the remaining time. Press the Pause button again to begin play.
When time is running out...
PlayLimit causes the TV to beep when game time remaining is at five minutes, two minutes, and again at one minute. When less than one minute remains, the Time Display counts down in seconds.
http://www.playlimit.com/howplaylimitworks.htm
If needed, press Pause button
PlayLimit puts a "PAUSE" screen on the TV and the timer stops. The Time Display flashes the remaining time. Press the Pause button again to begin play.
When time is running out...
PlayLimit causes the TV to beep when game time remaining is at five minutes, two minutes, and again at one minute. When less than one minute remains, the Time Display counts down in seconds.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Very cool.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
#9 - parents goal is acheieved... They'd have to earn 2 tokens next time.. which means twice the chores get done.
#11 - That'd work on most games, except games with sidequests.... You can only go to section IIIb of the walkthrough which is here. Baten Kaitos or ToS, I could turn what a parents would think of as about 20-30 minutes of playing into 4-5 hours.
Is this a good idea? Depends on how the parents implements it. I'm an Exercise Physiology major, so I could see how this could benefit a family.
#11 - That'd work on most games, except games with sidequests.... You can only go to section IIIb of the walkthrough which is here. Baten Kaitos or ToS, I could turn what a parents would think of as about 20-30 minutes of playing into 4-5 hours.
Is this a good idea? Depends on how the parents implements it. I'm an Exercise Physiology major, so I could see how this could benefit a family.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Any parent who buys that ought to be slapped. If you're too busy to tell the kids to stop playing then you're too busy to raise a family.
Damn lazy parents make me sick.
Damn lazy parents make me sick.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard of. parents just want an excuse not to watch their children
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Dude. I'm gonna make a horrible dad.
"Dad, can I go outside?"
"No, be quiet and go play your Mega Man Battle Network 12 like a good child."
Kidding.
Sure, I'll get 'em to exercise...and stuff...occasionally. But I'm not going to push it too hard. If they want to spend an hour or two jumping on a Goomba or two or two hundred three then sure, let 'em.
"Dad, can I go outside?"
"No, be quiet and go play your Mega Man Battle Network 12 like a good child."
Kidding.
Sure, I'll get 'em to exercise...and stuff...occasionally. But I'm not going to push it too hard. If they want to spend an hour or two jumping on a Goomba or two or two hundred three then sure, let 'em.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
If my kids dont do as I tell them, I'll whoop their asses. Im their MF daddy! My mother knocked my 2 front teeth out when I was 9 for saying, "...but Mom..." I learned quick. Im not as harsh as my parents were, but I do dish out a spanking here and there. Nothin wrong with that.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
#18, most games don't have it meetered so save points are spread out evenly. And what about dieing in the game? Or extra long boss battles? There's a far easier way to implement limitations and such on gameplay, get off your lazy butt and parent. If the kid talks back or doesn't follow the rules, punish them accordingly, preferrably by taking away the system itself. It's that simple.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
the save point thing would be a big deal, but it doesn't cut power. it merely displays an "out of time" screen. that's why it also works for tv viewing.
you could also just buy (or find) a new set of A/V cables for your console and plug them into the tv. the system is basically nothing more than a line-in override with a timer.
you could also just buy (or find) a new set of A/V cables for your console and plug them into the tv. the system is basically nothing more than a line-in override with a timer.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Any self respecting 8 year old can rewire the house for Satellite TV, even if you don't have a satelite dish. If I know 8 year olds, they'll be splicing cables and jury rigging hidden bypass switches into the wee hours while they're parents are sleeping.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
I can see it now, all played out like a movie:
Susie, mother of Tommy, sits having coffee with a guest in her living room.
Next to her TV sits a PlayLimit
Guest: So, does that PlayLimit thingy really work?
Susie: Oh, yeah! Little Tommy is hardly ever home now. He's always out playing with Billy.
cut to:
Billy's house - day
Tommy and Billy play video games for 8 straight hours while Billy's mom does lines off the toilet seat in the bathroom.
Susie, mother of Tommy, sits having coffee with a guest in her living room.
Next to her TV sits a PlayLimit
Guest: So, does that PlayLimit thingy really work?
Susie: Oh, yeah! Little Tommy is hardly ever home now. He's always out playing with Billy.
cut to:
Billy's house - day
Tommy and Billy play video games for 8 straight hours while Billy's mom does lines off the toilet seat in the bathroom.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
OK. I have to give credit to this company for at least not coming up with a way that the unit shuts off, and at least this teaches the kid about time management.
Now, as to getting past this, simple solution
Any kid with a pair of scissors can simply cut the Cord, take a trip to radio shack, spend 2 bucks for 3 new tips, and connect. Need I say more. Also, for something like a cable box, which uses Male2Male connectors, you can just use an alternate cable for this.
Also, the site sells KEYS!
I have to admit, at least this system allows, if the kid has not saved, it doesnt shut off. If a kid is playing, and it dies, the unit is still running, thus allowing Billy to plead to his mom to give him a chore for 15 mins of time.
Also, I will give it props for this reason. At least it teaches the kids, unlike a certain PS2 device which relies on your parents not being a Bitch to use. Because it teaches the kiddies, it also means that if the kid is smart, he will save his time up in hours, and not rely on a parent to say times up.
Now, as to getting past this, simple solution
Any kid with a pair of scissors can simply cut the Cord, take a trip to radio shack, spend 2 bucks for 3 new tips, and connect. Need I say more. Also, for something like a cable box, which uses Male2Male connectors, you can just use an alternate cable for this.
Also, the site sells KEYS!
I have to admit, at least this system allows, if the kid has not saved, it doesnt shut off. If a kid is playing, and it dies, the unit is still running, thus allowing Billy to plead to his mom to give him a chore for 15 mins of time.
Also, I will give it props for this reason. At least it teaches the kids, unlike a certain PS2 device which relies on your parents not being a Bitch to use. Because it teaches the kiddies, it also means that if the kid is smart, he will save his time up in hours, and not rely on a parent to say times up.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Why not just watch your kids, and lock the unit away in a cupboard when you don't want them playing?
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
all the kid has to do is unhook that from the tv and hide it from the parent hahah i was sly like that wen i was a youngling
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:37PM (Unverified) said
or you could put a hole in a quarter, tie some string on that, and your set for life....or until you move out.
Featured Stories
Stiq Figures, May 7 - 13: I'mma can't use any of my dominoes edition
Posted on May 20th 2012 11:30PM