[latexr]

> As a gamer dad, I try to show my kid better games to play, but because they aren't free, his friends can't play.

Considering how much you said your kid has spent, that money could’ve been spent on buying copies for all their friends and you’d still have plenty left over.

[nazka]

I upvoted you but after thinking about it actually, you will find that this will attract kids that are friends for the money and start weird dynamics in the social bubble of his son. But your idea is right! Maybe he could have done gaming sessions at his house or who knows what to better spend this money on other games.

[lolinder]

> this will attract kids that are friends for the money and start weird dynamics in the social bubble of his son

From the amount of money sunk into this one game it sounds like there are already weird money dynamics in his social bubble.

[mlyle]

Yah, but Roblox weird money dynamics is that he's showing up and is overpowered in the games because he's paying to win, but fellow kids likely view him as exceptionally skilled :P

[junon]

Eh yes. And no. Turn it into a gathering event at your house with pizza and bring back LAN parties. That's stuff that kids remember for life.

[rangerelf]

LAN parties were/are a thing.

[jayd16]

That's like one console and a couple games so its not necessarily the most efficient usage.

Couch co-op is the way to go.... but as the dad be prepared to lose control of your living room.

[consteval]

Many games don't even require separate copies. This is a fairly new phenomenon.

I mean, I'm fully grown and I still get together with friends and play Mario Party and Smash. I just bought extra controllers and boom, good to go.

[johnnyanmac]

Really depends on the genre nowadays. Fighters (mostly) still support local co-op (Nintendo in General is pretty good at couch co-op). Shooters are becoming less local co-op friendly, not even having split screen.