This debate comes up every year: if hypothetically you were gifting a child a video game console for Xmas do you:
A) Unpack it prior to Xmas, run updates, put it back and wrap it. Ready to go
or
B) Leave as is because it’s “part of the experience” of getting a new console.
A) Unpack it prior to Xmas, run updates, put it back and wrap it. Ready to go
or
B) Leave as is because it’s “part of the experience” of getting a new console.
Comments
I think the PS3 and PS4 had long setups, but PS5 was pretty quick. Also, he discovered it still in its box in the closet before we showed him we had it, so we had no choice. 😆
But also the parents should know so they can help their child if needed.
That way they can hit the ground running and just play
Especially if you want to set up parental controls or download a large game
It will build anticipation. When everything is said and done, there will be this mystic of having your brand new console…fit to your liking; ready to go after you put in the time and effort.
The glory of beating the wait and to finally bask in it.
Don’t take that away.
Normally, it's part of the experience.
But the WiiU's second Xmas infamously had a mandatory 6 hour update when launched & Nintendo's services were notoriously unreliable, so there are exceptions
Kids don't want to sit through updates on Christmas Day -- they want to get straight to the game.
If they want to make an account, that's fine, but the Christmas experience should be unboxing, plugging in, and playing.
I feel like it teaches kids that patience is a virtue, and they learn how to update their system lol.
Though it's probably because I had to do it as a kid...
it's not just to make sure they can turn it on and go but also to be sure there's nothing wrong with the console. It's rare but no one wants the (justified) meltdown if it's DOA
Not that I had to deal with updates and such on consoles until I was almost an adult anyway. Everything before that was just plug and play
If they have the patience to wait for the installation, then B.
Hope you and your fam have a good holiday week :)
We come downstairs, open all our presents, they set the console up while we get breakfast done which is like proper croissants. We watch some heart wrenching Christmas thing that's on and then we start cooking the roast which takes ages so you can finish setting up the console then.
Under 10 or so? A for sure
Older than 10? B, because I feel they want that experience for themselves
No doubt he’ll moan while I download the updates though 😩