Crossplay
@crossplayblog.bsky.social
A newsletter at the intersection of parenting and video games by longtime games reporter and father of two kids, Patrick Klepek. Subscribe now at https://crossplay.news
Reposted by Crossplay
Speaking of Epic, over at @crossplayblog.bsky.social is a post about my 9yo, who's played Fortnite for all of two weeks, immediately recognizing the game's monetization is going too far. If a 9yo can clock that something's unfair, maybe it is. www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-s...
Even My Nine-Year-Old Can Tell Fortnite’s Gone Too Far
Criticism over customizations (or lack thereof) for the game's new "Sidekicks" feature was egregious enough that even my kid picked up on it.
www.crossplay.news
November 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Speaking of Epic, over at @crossplayblog.bsky.social is a post about my 9yo, who's played Fortnite for all of two weeks, immediately recognizing the game's monetization is going too far. If a 9yo can clock that something's unfair, maybe it is. www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-s...
Making it to the end of a video game, even one meant for families, is often a journey all its own. www.crossplay.news/p/lego-voyag...
The Quiet Sadness of Playing Lego Voyagers With a Five-Year-Old
Making it to the end of a video game, even one meant for families, is often a journey all its own.
www.crossplay.news
November 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Making it to the end of a video game, even one meant for families, is often a journey all its own. www.crossplay.news/p/lego-voyag...
Another Zelda beat 'em up spin-off, a slew of Apple Arcade highlights, and more games lead the most interesting family friendly video games arriving this month www.crossplay.news/p/video-game...
Your Guide to November’s Family Friendly Video Games
Another Zelda beat 'em up spin-off, a slew of Apple Arcade highlights, and more.
www.crossplay.news
November 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Another Zelda beat 'em up spin-off, a slew of Apple Arcade highlights, and more games lead the most interesting family friendly video games arriving this month www.crossplay.news/p/video-game...
Fortnite is raising dangerous questions in the house that @patrickklepek.bsky.social is not prepare to answer, such as: "Daddy, why does Fortnite load faster on your Switch"? www.crossplay.news/p/oh-no-my-k...
Oh No, My Kid Is Starting to Complain About Frame Rates
Fortnite is raising dangerous questions in the house that I'm not prepared to answer.
www.crossplay.news
October 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Fortnite is raising dangerous questions in the house that @patrickklepek.bsky.social is not prepare to answer, such as: "Daddy, why does Fortnite load faster on your Switch"? www.crossplay.news/p/oh-no-my-k...
In today's edition of The Rant, a father of two kids is upset about the monetization changes coming to Fortnite, a game that's otherwise been a fun and exciting space for his children. www.crossplay.news/p/welcome-to...
Welcome to The Rant
In today's edition, a father of two kids is upset about the monetization changes coming to Fortnite, a game that's otherwise been a fun and exciting space for his children.
www.crossplay.news
October 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
In today's edition of The Rant, a father of two kids is upset about the monetization changes coming to Fortnite, a game that's otherwise been a fun and exciting space for his children. www.crossplay.news/p/welcome-to...
Sony's new mobile app for parental controls is excellent—more companies should have something like this. www.crossplay.news/p/playstatio...
PlayStation's New App For Parental Controls Is Excellent
It's about trying to "build trust between parents and kids," the company tells Crossplay.
www.crossplay.news
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Sony's new mobile app for parental controls is excellent—more companies should have something like this. www.crossplay.news/p/playstatio...
One of the trickier parts of parenting is managing fear. There is a time and place to believe they can do a little more. The question, then: when is a kid old enough for a haunted house? www.crossplay.news/p/when-is-a-...
When Is a Kid Old Enough for a Haunted House?
One of the trickier parts of parenting is managing fear. There is a time and place to believe they can do a little more.
www.crossplay.news
October 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
One of the trickier parts of parenting is managing fear. There is a time and place to believe they can do a little more. The question, then: when is a kid old enough for a haunted house? www.crossplay.news/p/when-is-a-...
One year later, what has Roblox's "Teen Council" accomplished? It makes sense to chat with one of Roblox's biggest player groups, but it's just not clear what's actually changing. www.crossplay.news/p/roblox-tee...
One Year Later, What Has Roblox's Teen Council Accomplished?
It makes sense to chat with one of Roblox's biggest player groups, but it's just not clear what's actually changing.
www.crossplay.news
October 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
One year later, what has Roblox's "Teen Council" accomplished? It makes sense to chat with one of Roblox's biggest player groups, but it's just not clear what's actually changing. www.crossplay.news/p/roblox-tee...
Silksong is revealing my angriest self—aka the one who cannot suppress yelling FUCK when they lose to a boss for the 10th time—in front of my kids. www.crossplay.news/p/playing-si...
Silksong Is Revealing My Angriest Self in Front of My Kids
Now, to be clear, that headline is a little click batity. But the sentiment stands.
www.crossplay.news
October 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Silksong is revealing my angriest self—aka the one who cannot suppress yelling FUCK when they lose to a boss for the 10th time—in front of my kids. www.crossplay.news/p/playing-si...
Reposted by Crossplay
My daughter also developed a sudden case of interest in Fortnite over the weekend, and for the same reason. She seems fully hooked. Sometimes synergy works?
(Also, I echo the call for a KPop Demon Hunters beat’em up.)
(Also, I echo the call for a KPop Demon Hunters beat’em up.)
Well, it finally happened: @patrickklepek.bsky.social's nine-year-old is playing Fortnite because of, of course, KPop Demon Hunters www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-k...
My Nine-Year-Old Is Playing Fortnite Because of KPop Demon Hunters
You know, Rumi was always destined to look cute while holding a shotgun.
www.crossplay.news
October 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
My daughter also developed a sudden case of interest in Fortnite over the weekend, and for the same reason. She seems fully hooked. Sometimes synergy works?
(Also, I echo the call for a KPop Demon Hunters beat’em up.)
(Also, I echo the call for a KPop Demon Hunters beat’em up.)
Reposted by Crossplay
Feeling both seen and attacked by @crossplayblog.bsky.social
God forbid a man have hobbies... etc etc
God forbid a man have hobbies... etc etc
October 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Feeling both seen and attacked by @crossplayblog.bsky.social
God forbid a man have hobbies... etc etc
God forbid a man have hobbies... etc etc
Well, it finally happened: @patrickklepek.bsky.social's nine-year-old is playing Fortnite because of, of course, KPop Demon Hunters www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-k...
My Nine-Year-Old Is Playing Fortnite Because of KPop Demon Hunters
You know, Rumi was always destined to look cute while holding a shotgun.
www.crossplay.news
October 7, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Well, it finally happened: @patrickklepek.bsky.social's nine-year-old is playing Fortnite because of, of course, KPop Demon Hunters www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-k...
Just recently, Epic Games showed concern about the amount of in-game item slop that's in Roblox. Now, they're bringing in-game item sales to Fortnite. www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-i...
Fortnite Is About to Become More Like Roblox. Is That a Good Thing?
Just recently, Epic Games showed concern about the amount of in-game item slop that's in Roblox. Now, they're bringing in-game item sales to Fortnite.
www.crossplay.news
October 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Just recently, Epic Games showed concern about the amount of in-game item slop that's in Roblox. Now, they're bringing in-game item sales to Fortnite. www.crossplay.news/p/fortnite-i...
A month of Marios, Pokémons, and deeply questionable licensed video games. Who's ready for an Elf on the Shelf game? Here's what video games families can expect in October: www.crossplay.news/p/video-game...
Your Guide to October’s Family Friendly Video Games
A month of Marios, Pokémons, and deeply questionable licensed video games. Who's ready for an Elf on the Shelf game?
www.crossplay.news
October 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
A month of Marios, Pokémons, and deeply questionable licensed video games. Who's ready for an Elf on the Shelf game? Here's what video games families can expect in October: www.crossplay.news/p/video-game...
Our five-year-old was developing a bad relationship with her iPad. Was it a phase? Because of her injury? Either way, when school started, it was time for a reboot. www.crossplay.news/p/trying-to-...
We Tried to Fix Our Kids' Screen Time Problems. Did It Work?
Our five-year-old was developing a bad relationship with her iPad. Was it a phase? Because of her injury? Either way, when school started, it was time for a reboot.
www.crossplay.news
September 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Our five-year-old was developing a bad relationship with her iPad. Was it a phase? Because of her injury? Either way, when school started, it was time for a reboot. www.crossplay.news/p/trying-to-...
The endless repetition of trying to have a baby means living life in a state of limbo between two timelines. Video games have helped Stephanie Morse through years of frustrating struggles. www.crossplay.news/p/how-video-...
What Video Games Have Given Me While Struggling to Conceive
The endless repetition of trying to have a baby means living life in a state of limbo between two timelines. Video games have helped.
www.crossplay.news
September 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The endless repetition of trying to have a baby means living life in a state of limbo between two timelines. Video games have helped Stephanie Morse through years of frustrating struggles. www.crossplay.news/p/how-video-...
While in London, our family swung by Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, which tries to merge game with reality—to mixed (but fun) results. www.crossplay.news/p/minecraft-...
Our (Mostly) Great Time Experiencing Real-Life Minecraft
While in London, our family swung by Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, which tries to merge a lil' game with a lil' reality.
www.crossplay.news
September 18, 2025 at 5:51 PM
While in London, our family swung by Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, which tries to merge game with reality—to mixed (but fun) results. www.crossplay.news/p/minecraft-...
Last week, @patrickklepek's 4th grader came home asking about "the news." He wasn't sure what to say. How do you talk to a child about an assassination? www.crossplay.news/p/talking-to...
How Do You Talk to a Child About an Assassination?
My 4th grader came home asking about "the news." I wasn't sure what to say.
www.crossplay.news
September 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Last week, @patrickklepek's 4th grader came home asking about "the news." He wasn't sure what to say. How do you talk to a child about an assassination? www.crossplay.news/p/talking-to...
How Nintendo made visiting a "boring" French museum incredibly special—or, the story of how @patrickklepek.bsky.social almost completely screwed it all up www.crossplay.news/p/how-ninten...
How Nintendo Made Visiting a "Boring" French Museum Incredibly Special
Or, the story of how I almost completely screwed it all up.
www.crossplay.news
September 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
How Nintendo made visiting a "boring" French museum incredibly special—or, the story of how @patrickklepek.bsky.social almost completely screwed it all up www.crossplay.news/p/how-ninten...
Video games helped Matt Cooper navigate a relationship with neurodivergence. Now, his neurodivergent children also love video games...but he worries about them exploiting them. www.crossplay.news/p/how-microt...
When Your Childhood Safe Space Has Become a Place to Take Advantage of Them
Video games helped me navigate a relationship with neurodivergence. My neurodivergent children also love video games...but I worry about them.
www.crossplay.news
September 9, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Video games helped Matt Cooper navigate a relationship with neurodivergence. Now, his neurodivergent children also love video games...but he worries about them exploiting them. www.crossplay.news/p/how-microt...
Parents shouldn't be confused over the ratings assigned to the games their kids are playing. www.crossplay.news/p/how-do-rob...
A Small But Important Change to Roblox Is Part of a Much Bigger Problem
Parents shouldn't be confused over the ratings assigned to the games their kids are playing.
www.crossplay.news
September 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Parents shouldn't be confused over the ratings assigned to the games their kids are playing. www.crossplay.news/p/how-do-rob...
A quiet month for Nintendo as school kicks back into gear, but there's plenty of video games for you to play with—or in front of—your kids this month. www.crossplay.news/p/your-guide...
Your Guide to September’s Family Friendly Video Games
A quiet month for Nintendo as school kicks back into gear, but there's plenty of video games for you to play with—or in front of—your kids this month.
www.crossplay.news
September 3, 2025 at 5:54 PM
A quiet month for Nintendo as school kicks back into gear, but there's plenty of video games for you to play with—or in front of—your kids this month. www.crossplay.news/p/your-guide...
For years, @patrickklepek.bsky.social has been waiting for his school district to have a real cell phone policy. This school year, at the elementary and middle school level, they're basically banning them: www.crossplay.news/p/so-my-scho...
My School District Is Basically Banning Cell Phones
At least, for kids in elementary school and middle school. High school? Different story.
www.crossplay.news
August 28, 2025 at 5:24 PM
For years, @patrickklepek.bsky.social has been waiting for his school district to have a real cell phone policy. This school year, at the elementary and middle school level, they're basically banning them: www.crossplay.news/p/so-my-scho...
We have the technology to know everything our kids do online. It's only a question of whether you decide to use it. But should you? www.crossplay.news/p/how-much-p...
How Much Privacy Do Children Deserve Online?
We have the technology to know everything our kids do online. It's only a question of whether you decide to use it. But should you?
www.crossplay.news
August 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
We have the technology to know everything our kids do online. It's only a question of whether you decide to use it. But should you? www.crossplay.news/p/how-much-p...
Video games became a way to connect for a father who struggled to express himself and a son who desperately wanted to connect. A touching story about how video games can act as a form of quiet communication across fractured relationships: www.crossplay.news/p/connecting...
My Father and I
Video games became a way to connect for a father who struggled to express himself and a son who desperately wanted to connect.
www.crossplay.news
August 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Video games became a way to connect for a father who struggled to express himself and a son who desperately wanted to connect. A touching story about how video games can act as a form of quiet communication across fractured relationships: www.crossplay.news/p/connecting...