Meath Extra Article
As our
world becomes increasingly virtual,
society is slipping further into isolation. Living our lives through
the
internet and virtual gaming, hobbies and leisure time is often spent
solitary. Today parents struggle to get their kids outside playing in
the
park or kicking a football around: they'd much rather play on their
game
consoles. However, instead of fighting the amazing technologies that
grip
today's kids, why not embrace them in a positive way? This is exactly
what Pat and
Joanne Forde have succeeded in doing. The local family have developed a
space
in Dunboyne where youngsters of all ages can come together and game in
a safe and
sociable environment. Gamesnash Live is their second venture into the
world of
gaming having initially launched the Gamesnash.ie website in 2007.
Gamesnash
Live is a cross between a
retail shop, a gaming centre and your own sitting room. As well as
having a wide selection of the latest releases available for sale,
gamers can
come and play games in the most comfortable of surroundings in a
location
designed to mirror their own sitting room. Instead
of cramped internet booths gamers are
seated on sofas and bean bags which echoes the Gamesnash Live motto of “Gaming As It Should Be” The
mixed, safe environment is worlds apart
from the arcades found in the city and provides over 300 games and 10
consoles,
including X Box's, Wii's and PS3's. As well as having PC’s available
for
internet access each console is connected to the internet allowing
gamers to
play online with other gamers worldwide. Gamesnash Live also provide a
range of
unique games and equipment such as guitars, drum kits, rock band sets,
dance
mats and singstar equipment. With so
much variety and the regular gaming tournaments held on site, kids will
never
tire of Gamesnash Live.
Speaking
to Meath
Extra, Pat Forde said "When I was growing up gaming was a very social
experience with 4 or 5 kids playing together in one house, where
everyone met
and socialised together. These days, kids often play online from their
own
bedrooms which takes the social aspect away. At Gamesnash Live kids
play and
socialise together. It gives them a place to go and we encourage
parents to be
here and get involved too. Parents often drop the kids off and pop next
door
for a coffee."