How Do/Would You "Do Video Games" For Your Children?

[Aimway921]

Not a parent, but I do this with my little sister (she's 7 right nkw). I only have a PC, BTW. She enjoys watching me playing some games, especially Skyrim, Team Fortress 2, Hearts of Iron 4 and Minecraft (I have more games but these are the ones she likes watching me play). She seems to especially like Team Fortress 2.

And honestly, my opinion is - if they like it, let them play it. Unless it's complete garbage that isn't worth spending money on, that is.

About the "generation locking", if I understood correctly you meant like last-generation consoles/PC, right? Well, honestly, that depends on the budget. I certainly won't be able to share my console with my future kids or my sister, because I don't have one and don't plan on having one, cuz as I said - I'm a PC player.

[Musou Tensei]

I will never be a parent but I would give my child my old stuff, at around 6 or so he or she would get my NES to learn to appreciate the basics of gaming, once I feel it is ready for the next generation I will give it my SNES and Mega Drive and so on. I'd also introduce it to PC games of each era. I think at the age of 12 it should be ready for a modern system. Age rating wise I will decide what is appropriate, thing is for example in my country Oblivion was a 12+ game (uncensored) but I do not think every 12 year old is ready for it, I would decide these things on how my child develops and matures.
Of course, if it saves up money and decides to buy a modern system earlier than I planned to introduce, I would not intervene.

But like I said, I will never be a parent, I'm aromantic and have no plans on having a family whatsoever.

[Noobc0re]

Kids are dumb as rocks. Just put them in front of a clicker and they'll be good for a few years.

[Zenryu]

I may "generation gate" if they start off really early. I had my first gaming experience at 3 and didn't care or think about the medium. Otherwise, I'd probably allow one of any console per gen, unless they choose PC, and have them stick to it as I wouldn't want to buy every console each gen. I'd probably monitor what they play in the beginning and give them more freedom as they get older and if I feel like they are mature enough to play certain types of games.

[Animusisters]

If they pick it up on their own, I would let them have it in moderation. My worries would be more about their first online experiences, with all the shit going on.

[JackofTears]

Since I'm a gamer, I'd try the game out or watch Youtube videos to get an idea of what the gameplay was like, read a couple reviews, and then make my decision like an informed adult.

As for what systems they'd have access to - whatever systems I own. I will not buy them a bunch of consoles, new or used, but I will listen to their input if I decide to buy one for the house. I would tend to encourage the kid toward PC games, however, since there is much less of an issue with backward compatibility and system disposability.

[Thatoneuser]

I would allow my child access to any gaming consoles I own at the time on a separate account. When it comes to what games they can play I would only allow games that I thought were appropriate but I would be fairly lenient for example I would let them play Call of duty around the age of 12 if they were as mature as I was at that age (which isn't a very high standard).

I would also try to play games with them often because of how even just playing video games with a child can be a good bonding experience it could be.