Right. I was not even done typing out the title of this post and I already knew that it is not going to make a lot of people happy. Indeed, the words “discipline” and “video game timer” are bound to grate on people’s nerves – including mine, on certain occasions. And just so we’re clear, I am not even thinking about children at this point. I am thinking about husbands (and even wives!) who have this unbreakable bond with their favorite gaming console (PlayStation 3 in our case).

So is this scenario a familiar one?

Partner A: Honey, it’s time to go do the groceries.

Partner B: Yeah. Just let me finish this level.

Partner A: You said that an hour ago. You said we’d go in an hour.

Partner B: Yeah. Well I am not done with the level yet. Just a sec….

Partner A: What’s this button do? (Finger hovering over the power button…)

Partner B: Don’t you dare!

Yeah, this has actually happened to me – and continues to happen on a more or less regular basis. That got me thinking, maybe there’s a way to limit playing time when there are other things to be done?

I found a very interesting solution in John Morrissey’s Game Dr Video Game Timer. This gadget cuts off the power to the console after a specified number of hours. Obviously, someone has to input the number of hours. Once the power shuts off, the timer has to be re-programmed and a password is needed to do this. The good thing is that before it cuts the power off, it gives you several warnings so that you can save your game.

True, it is meant for parents who want to instill discipline in their children but who says adults can’t use it too? What do you think?

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Hope you like that post!

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