In an episode that either proves my five-year-old son is really awesome, or that I should have Child Protective Services called on me, he and I had a lengthy conversation about his favorite Infected in Left4Dead 2. To clarify, he doesn’t have a favorite zombie because he watches me play. He has a favorite because he kicks ass at Left4Dead 2. I’m not saying that he’s good enough to jump online and help his teammates, though that would be amazing, but he and my other two sons – his older brothers (7 and 8) – can make it through all of the campaigns. Here’s the gist of the conversation:
Nathan: Dad, I ran from the Witch and she didn’t kill me.
Me: What the heck are you talking about?
Nathan: The Witch didn’t kill me and I ran and the Charger hit me.
Me: Oh, you’re talking about the zombie game. Did you kill the Witch?
Nathan: Yep. And she didn’t kill me.
Me: Awesome buddy, is the Witch your favorite zombie
Nathan: Yep, and the Spitter. She never hits me with her spit.
The conversation went on for a few more minutes with him exclaiming his excitement over not dying by various zombies. I’m sure that some of you are appalled by the fact that my five year old plays Left4Dead. I think I might be a bit appalled too. I understand the idea of censoring content for younger people. I understand the impressionable mind. I also understand teaching my child the idea of real and fake, and you know what, he actually understands it. He understands that zombies are not real (I’m screwed if the zombie apocalypse actually happens). We’ve even taught our children that Santa is a made up persona who represents the spirit of Christmas. We have no desire to take the magic and creativity out of childhood. In clear issues, we stress what is real and not real, but we do leave room for grey areas and wonderment. Hacking zombies in a video game – not real; People starving in our own city and needing our help – real; People being healed of diseases by supernatural means – wonderment.
Anyhow, I thought it was awesome that not only could my son converse with me about Left4Dead, but that he also shows signs of following in his dad’s gaming footsteps. I think I am more excited about going with him on his 17th birthday to watch him purchase his first M-rated game than I am to buy him his first beer at 21. Wow, now my nerd is showing.
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