Maplestory and hacking and a moral dilemna...
-
Ok, I've tried for years to get my son interested in programming. Yes, I know there are better ways for him to spend his time. Unfortunately he chooses to spend it playing dumb games like Maplestory and Wii. (Wii, I can go along with sometimes. But Maplestory???) So he asks me about hacking Maplestory. Says he'll get into programming this way. What would you do if: - your 12 year old boy asked you - you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming - you hated Maplestory - you weren't thrilled with the idea of cheating - what am I teachin' my son here? So far my gut has led me to "give it a shot". Maybe they'll even ban our IP from playin the dang game. Ok, I'll admit that I kinda like the little pics in it. And the music doesn't suck -IF- you only listen to it once. But, ehhhmmmm, uhhh, i dunno. Anybody got any input ?? Thanks in advance :-O ...SteveH http://shazware.com
I don't know what Maplestory is, but i'm gonna assume it's some sort of online multiplayer game. In which case, no. I don't care how inane the game is, ruining someone else's fun just because you're bored is shameful. Using it as a vehicle to learn programming produces yet another "i know trivia, therefore i'm teh smart an' your my bitches!!1" brat. Not sure what's out there for Wii coding yet, but i know there's a thriving community of GB and DS hackers - hackers in the traditional sense of fun and learning. Encourage that, if anything.
-
I don't know what Maplestory is, but i'm gonna assume it's some sort of online multiplayer game. In which case, no. I don't care how inane the game is, ruining someone else's fun just because you're bored is shameful. Using it as a vehicle to learn programming produces yet another "i know trivia, therefore i'm teh smart an' your my bitches!!1" brat. Not sure what's out there for Wii coding yet, but i know there's a thriving community of GB and DS hackers - hackers in the traditional sense of fun and learning. Encourage that, if anything.
Yep - that's what it is. But it's not a "shoot the other guys" game, just a "whack all the wierd little creatures" game. So the only thing he comes away with is a higher "level". Apparently, hacking is already rampant on it. Which is the main reason I'm on the fence. My son's not the "I'm so cool" type. But it does send RATHER not the greatest message kinda sorta... I'll look for other things, but this just popped up this mornin. Just tryin to focus all the energy he puts into "learning games" into something that's NOT so much learning games. I used to sort of think video games were a waste of time. Now that I'm a dad, well, I hate video games with a passion. Although Super Mario Galaxy is pretty fun :-O Ya gotta admit. ...SteveH
-
Ok, I've tried for years to get my son interested in programming. Yes, I know there are better ways for him to spend his time. Unfortunately he chooses to spend it playing dumb games like Maplestory and Wii. (Wii, I can go along with sometimes. But Maplestory???) So he asks me about hacking Maplestory. Says he'll get into programming this way. What would you do if: - your 12 year old boy asked you - you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming - you hated Maplestory - you weren't thrilled with the idea of cheating - what am I teachin' my son here? So far my gut has led me to "give it a shot". Maybe they'll even ban our IP from playin the dang game. Ok, I'll admit that I kinda like the little pics in it. And the music doesn't suck -IF- you only listen to it once. But, ehhhmmmm, uhhh, i dunno. Anybody got any input ?? Thanks in advance :-O ...SteveH http://shazware.com
Steve Hazel wrote:
you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming
Does it have to be programming? He may not care for it yet or ever. At twelve, I was really into sports and circuitry and astronomy. My dad and I did lots of fun things with some breadboards and parts he picked up for me. It was really fun as we were both learning(My dad didn't know a lick about electronics). Once he save up enough to get me a decent telescope we had tuns of fun together.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
-
Steve Hazel wrote:
you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming
Does it have to be programming? He may not care for it yet or ever. At twelve, I was really into sports and circuitry and astronomy. My dad and I did lots of fun things with some breadboards and parts he picked up for me. It was really fun as we were both learning(My dad didn't know a lick about electronics). Once he save up enough to get me a decent telescope we had tuns of fun together.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
Chris Austin wrote:
My dad didn't know a lick about electronics
But he was interested in it, and that interest was built into you via him. I don't force him into anything. But I sure hope he comes around to likin' some of the things I do, because, well, programming is COOL ;) So if I see a spark of interest in something new like this, well, I gotta take a stab at building it into a consuming fire, umm, or somethin' But it's sunny out today. Good day for a walk.
-
Ok, I've tried for years to get my son interested in programming. Yes, I know there are better ways for him to spend his time. Unfortunately he chooses to spend it playing dumb games like Maplestory and Wii. (Wii, I can go along with sometimes. But Maplestory???) So he asks me about hacking Maplestory. Says he'll get into programming this way. What would you do if: - your 12 year old boy asked you - you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming - you hated Maplestory - you weren't thrilled with the idea of cheating - what am I teachin' my son here? So far my gut has led me to "give it a shot". Maybe they'll even ban our IP from playin the dang game. Ok, I'll admit that I kinda like the little pics in it. And the music doesn't suck -IF- you only listen to it once. But, ehhhmmmm, uhhh, i dunno. Anybody got any input ?? Thanks in advance :-O ...SteveH http://shazware.com
My daughter constantly asks me to copy CDs for her friends who 'cannot afford them'. She is not popular, and I am aware that saying no will be tough on her. But, there is no way I'll give in. We do not copy music, I can't afford a Porche, it doesn't mean I can steal one.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "also I don't think "TranslateOneToTwoBillion OneHundredAndFortySevenMillion FourHundredAndEightyThreeThousand SixHundredAndFortySeven()" is a very good choice for a function name" - SpacixOne ( offering help to someone who really needed it ) ( spaces added for the benefit of people running at < 1280x1024 )
-
Steve Hazel wrote:
you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming
Does it have to be programming? He may not care for it yet or ever. At twelve, I was really into sports and circuitry and astronomy. My dad and I did lots of fun things with some breadboards and parts he picked up for me. It was really fun as we were both learning(My dad didn't know a lick about electronics). Once he save up enough to get me a decent telescope we had tuns of fun together.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
I agree - not to criticise the OP, but I go out of my way to tell my kids I'll support whatever they want to do, whatever music they like, etc. They don't have to be like me. Hell, probably good for them if they are not.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "also I don't think "TranslateOneToTwoBillion OneHundredAndFortySevenMillion FourHundredAndEightyThreeThousand SixHundredAndFortySeven()" is a very good choice for a function name" - SpacixOne ( offering help to someone who really needed it ) ( spaces added for the benefit of people running at < 1280x1024 )
-
My daughter constantly asks me to copy CDs for her friends who 'cannot afford them'. She is not popular, and I am aware that saying no will be tough on her. But, there is no way I'll give in. We do not copy music, I can't afford a Porche, it doesn't mean I can steal one.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "also I don't think "TranslateOneToTwoBillion OneHundredAndFortySevenMillion FourHundredAndEightyThreeThousand SixHundredAndFortySeven()" is a very good choice for a function name" - SpacixOne ( offering help to someone who really needed it ) ( spaces added for the benefit of people running at < 1280x1024 )
Of course, you're right. And I usually don't try to make my son "be like me" except that, well, I'm his Dad and whatever I do he'll see and consider doing. And whatever I don't do, he won't see and won't consider doing as much as others with Dads that DO such things. I can't help some of it :) But, man, if there's one thing I'd like to ram down my kid's throat, it'd be computer programming. ...SteveH
-
Ok, I've tried for years to get my son interested in programming. Yes, I know there are better ways for him to spend his time. Unfortunately he chooses to spend it playing dumb games like Maplestory and Wii. (Wii, I can go along with sometimes. But Maplestory???) So he asks me about hacking Maplestory. Says he'll get into programming this way. What would you do if: - your 12 year old boy asked you - you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming - you hated Maplestory - you weren't thrilled with the idea of cheating - what am I teachin' my son here? So far my gut has led me to "give it a shot". Maybe they'll even ban our IP from playin the dang game. Ok, I'll admit that I kinda like the little pics in it. And the music doesn't suck -IF- you only listen to it once. But, ehhhmmmm, uhhh, i dunno. Anybody got any input ?? Thanks in advance :-O ...SteveH http://shazware.com
Rather than hacking an online game (really bad idea) you might consider getting him a game with extensive modding capabilities. It's pretty much expected that FPS games come with some sort of language underneath the hood for tweaking the game.
-
Ok, I've tried for years to get my son interested in programming. Yes, I know there are better ways for him to spend his time. Unfortunately he chooses to spend it playing dumb games like Maplestory and Wii. (Wii, I can go along with sometimes. But Maplestory???) So he asks me about hacking Maplestory. Says he'll get into programming this way. What would you do if: - your 12 year old boy asked you - you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming - you hated Maplestory - you weren't thrilled with the idea of cheating - what am I teachin' my son here? So far my gut has led me to "give it a shot". Maybe they'll even ban our IP from playin the dang game. Ok, I'll admit that I kinda like the little pics in it. And the music doesn't suck -IF- you only listen to it once. But, ehhhmmmm, uhhh, i dunno. Anybody got any input ?? Thanks in advance :-O ...SteveH http://shazware.com
If he is 12 you probably only have a matter of weeks before girls. Give up, its over.
Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest Hemingway -
Chris Austin wrote:
My dad didn't know a lick about electronics
But he was interested in it, and that interest was built into you via him. I don't force him into anything. But I sure hope he comes around to likin' some of the things I do, because, well, programming is COOL ;) So if I see a spark of interest in something new like this, well, I gotta take a stab at building it into a consuming fire, umm, or somethin' But it's sunny out today. Good day for a walk.
Steve Hazel wrote:
But he was interested in it, and that interest was built into you via him.
Not at all. My dad was a carpenter and welder. Heck, he was lucky to finish high school.
Steve Hazel wrote:
So if I see a spark of interest in something new like this, well, I gotta take a stab at building it into a consuming fire, umm, or somethin'
Of course, just sharing my thoughts not meaning to be preachy or anything.
Steve Hazel wrote:
But it's sunny out today. Good day for a walk.
Yep same here. When my boy gets up from his nap I am going to strap him into his jogger and head out for run.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
-
I agree - not to criticise the OP, but I go out of my way to tell my kids I'll support whatever they want to do, whatever music they like, etc. They don't have to be like me. Hell, probably good for them if they are not.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "also I don't think "TranslateOneToTwoBillion OneHundredAndFortySevenMillion FourHundredAndEightyThreeThousand SixHundredAndFortySeven()" is a very good choice for a function name" - SpacixOne ( offering help to someone who really needed it ) ( spaces added for the benefit of people running at < 1280x1024 )
I imagine it must be a real conscious effort. My son is not quite 2 yet but I have been pondering those things myself.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long
-
Ok, I've tried for years to get my son interested in programming. Yes, I know there are better ways for him to spend his time. Unfortunately he chooses to spend it playing dumb games like Maplestory and Wii. (Wii, I can go along with sometimes. But Maplestory???) So he asks me about hacking Maplestory. Says he'll get into programming this way. What would you do if: - your 12 year old boy asked you - you wanted desperately for him to get into something constructive like programming - you hated Maplestory - you weren't thrilled with the idea of cheating - what am I teachin' my son here? So far my gut has led me to "give it a shot". Maybe they'll even ban our IP from playin the dang game. Ok, I'll admit that I kinda like the little pics in it. And the music doesn't suck -IF- you only listen to it once. But, ehhhmmmm, uhhh, i dunno. Anybody got any input ?? Thanks in advance :-O ...SteveH http://shazware.com
-
Rather than hacking an online game (really bad idea) you might consider getting him a game with extensive modding capabilities. It's pretty much expected that FPS games come with some sort of language underneath the hood for tweaking the game.
That sounds like a great idea - thanks. if you have any particular game in mind, I'd really appreciate the "not having to look for it" biz.
-
If he is 12 you probably only have a matter of weeks before girls. Give up, its over.
Need a C# Consultant? I'm available.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know. -- Ernest HemingwayHeh heh. So far his brain is still in control of his body. Not sure how long that'll last like ya say, tho.. I've already been through a girl that age. THAT was, umm, let's just say a "challenge"...X| With boys, you have only one XXXX to worry about. With girls, there are THOUSANDS to worry about...
-
Have you though about trying to interest him in other games that allow you to program your own scenarios? I had a great time years ago writing my own AI for AOE games...
I don't speak Idiot - please talk slowly and clearly
Age of Empires, eh... I'll have to check into that - thanks :)
-
Rather than hacking an online game (really bad idea) you might consider getting him a game with extensive modding capabilities. It's pretty much expected that FPS games come with some sort of language underneath the hood for tweaking the game.
Robert Surtees wrote:
Rather than hacking an online game (really bad idea) you might consider getting him a game with extensive modding capabilities.
That kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it? The fun in hacking online games is you get to watch the reaction of all the other players.
-
That sounds like a great idea - thanks. if you have any particular game in mind, I'd really appreciate the "not having to look for it" biz.
Half-Life (1 & 2) has a huge modding community.
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..." "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."
-
Half-Life (1 & 2) has a huge modding community.
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..." "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."
Welllll, I'm talkin bout a 12 year old boy. Not sure I wanna get him into that "shootin everything in sight" stuff just to try modding it... I mean, Maplestory is tame. It's tame to the point of being boring. Just some cute little icons hoppin around that you smack to get points with some background music and chat boxes for the people you come across - trading stuff and what not. He can get into that FPS stuff on his own (and we can argue about it) later... I dunno. We downloaded the CheatEngine.org offering and are playin' around with it. It's basically a debugger that scans memory and pokes integers. So at least he's getting in intro to hex and assembly language and memory layout and such. I'm not so sure it's such a terrible "intro to programming" yet. I mean, I started with basic and hopped to assembly as soon as I could. Those were the c64 days, of course. But assembler is good to know. It's kind of comforting to know that you can do ALL of this programming stuff with just mov and je :) Next step after this will probably be writing some c++ that loads and scoots sprites around. Actually, I should probably make that the first step. Don't want him goin to the dark side. (unix programming). ...SteveH http://shazware.com