Editor's note: Like Andrew, I'm also a new father. My son is just 3 months old, yet I, too, dream of the day he can pick up the unattended controller next to me. We're not alone, either, as Andrew profiles several prominent gamer dads in the industry. But I wonder: Where are all the gamer moms? -Rob

While becoming a dad is hard enough, becoming a gaming dad is even more difficult. I read dozens of books about fatherhood, but nothing prepared me for how bringing a new person into the world really is wonderful, scary, tough, and fulfilling.

My daughter was born the week of the 1UP collapse; as I sat nervously at home while my daughter and wife were in the hospital, I queued up the entirety of the GFW Radio catalog. In the ensuing months -- with time on the road and long nights up with the baby -- I listened to eight gigabytes worth of ridiculous stories, funny sketches, and -- sometimes -- PC gaming talk (two years out-of-date, of course).

I found that I was able to relate to Jeff Green more so than I ever did before. Yes, he is a dad -- an anomaly amongst game writers who end up on podcasts. That he was a dad isn't what drew me to him; rather, how he was a dad is what I found so great.

Singular events change our lives: when we meet our future wives or husbands, drop out of one program in favor of our preferred majors (the one our parents didn't want us study), and give life to our children. Each one represents a lifestyle change and a new course for years to come.

As for having a child, I guess meant that I was a man -- correction: a Man -- and all my interests had to cast aside in favor of more mundane concerns: calculating taxes, mowing the lawn, and working on the car.

But as Jeff Green recounted the occasional tale of dealing with his daughter within the context of video games, I came to a striking realization. We are not defined by our hobbies or interests as adults. Rather, we are defined by the ways in which we interact with the people around us and -- most importantly -- the people we love.

And this is why Jeff Green is my hero.

To have a good relationship with your children, you have to involve them in your interests. As they grow older, they may move on. Then, you get involved in their interests. Looking back on my own upbringing, my dad was a nerd the entire time. That's why I've read the better part of all the high-fantasy novels published in the last 30 years. And while I can imagine more constructive ways to spend both our time, wasting that time together was really important because it was something we shared and could talk about.

Much like Jeff Green, I hope video games are something I will be able to share. Because of the interest that I have in them, I can ensure that this time will indeed be well spent.

Father role models in the industry

John Davidson: Another hero. Upon his return to 1UP's flagship podcasts, his topics for discussion generally skewed towards his day-to-day work with What They Play, a website he recently sold. While he discussed titles I wouldn't be interested in otherwise, his stories about his two sons and wife showed me how a family can connect with video games. I've learned that conceding what to play to young children does not necessarily mean gaming will be any less fun. John can now be found at GamePro.

Gabe and Tycho: The Penny Arcade guys, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, are some of the most influential in video games. But they are also great dads, peppering their blog posts and (very) occasional podcasts with great stories from their lives as fathers who love to play.

Andrew Bub: The Gamer Dad has one of the best websites around for parents -- gamingwithchildren.com. The wide variety of topics covered is invaluable, especially for parents who are familiar with video games (but also those who aren't). The site is wonderfully focused on how -- as the name implies -- games can connect generations.

Greg Sewart: Although Greg will occasionally have a story to tell about being a dad in podcasts, I will use him as an example for another reason. A former editor at EGM, Greg has shown the courage to do what he believes in -- not once, but twice.

No longer a young-ling, he returned to school to study journalism. As a co-founder of the Player One Podcast, he became increasingly interested in the industry again and eventually returned to development. Greg shows us that you can raise your family and live your dream, and that compromises (at least the big ones) are not needed.