I Wish More Kids Games Understood Reading Isn't Easy For Everyone

To my shock, the latest PAW Patrol games understands this more than Nintendo does.

Photo by Skylar Zilka on Unsplash

The new PAW Patrol video game, PAW Patrol World, is what you’d expect: fine! My youngest child is taken by the ability to poorly guide Skye around for a few minutes, before she hands the controller over to finish whatever task is at hand. (To be clear, she is three years old and this is the first time she’s even trying to grasp a controller.)

But last week, I asked game’s producer a few questions, and tried to get at one of the fundamental questions I have with Crossplay: what’s different about designing a video game for children? And one answer in particular really stuck with me:

It’s also incredibly important to ensure our games have full voice overs available so that younger kids who may not be confident readers don’t miss out on the dialogue or story of our games.

Without betraying the confidence of my children’s private lives, reading really has not come easy for my oldest. We’re getting better every day, but it’s at this point that I will pick up a microphone and yell FOUNTAS & PINNELL SUCKS a few times and rest my case. You can fill in the rest of the blanks, if your child’s had a similar experience.

Hold on a moment. Deep breath.

FOUNTAS & PINNELL SUCKS
FOUNTAS & PINNELL SUCKS
FOUNTAS & PINNELL SUCKS

Sorry, something in my throat. Regardless, a common experiences I’ve had with my oldest was booting up a game she found interesting, realizing how much text was required to grasp the basic elements of what was going on, and getting frustrated.

We came up with a solution, but it wasn’t one that made either of us happy.