Im 19 years old and i'll be 20 years old coming up in september. I've always been a gamer, since i was 4 years old its just been an obsession or extreme hobby of mine to buy/collect video games. Now that im in college and everything is far/vastly different, the world of video gaming seems so different to me. I feel like an "old" gamer, like i've lost my spunk or lust of the gaming industry. I promised myself when I was a kid, I would NEVER grow up, and always keep to the hobbys that made myself the happy kid i used to be growing up. The point of this post is, I wonder if any of you other adults who are even older than I am, and parents (which i admire) feel like you are losing that "passion" for video games you used to have or you feel like you are "immature" for playing them. Thanks a bunch, looking forward to some deep replies!

 XLeviathanDeadX wrote:

Im 19 years old and i'll be 20 years old coming up in september. I've always been a gamer, since i was 4 years old its just been an obsession or extreme hobby of mine to buy/collect video games. Now that im in college and everything is far/vastly different, the world of video gaming seems so different to me. I feel like an "old" gamer, like i've lost my spunk or lust of the gaming industry. I promised myself when I was a kid, I would NEVER grow up, and always keep to the hobbys that made myself the happy kid i used to be growing up. The point of this post is, I wonder if any of you other adults who are even older than I am, and parents (which i admire) feel like you are losing that "passion" for video games you used to have or you feel like you are "immature" for playing them. Thanks a bunch, looking forward to some deep replies!

I'm 19 and I'm turning 20 in September also.I've also been a gamer since I was a wee toddler also. My brother and I had the NES as our first console and haven't stopped playing video games since then. On to the loss of interest in video games? Do you know where this feeling has come from? Has something recently happened to you besides you starting college? Are you worried what "College" students are going to think of you playing video games? Is it the economy? Is it cutting into your social life? You have to figure out what made you love video games in the first place. Another thing is you've picked a very bad time to lose your passion for gaming. E3 just ended and there are a ton of games and other little things coming out. Why feel immature about playing video games? You stated it yourself that gaming is a "hobby" and it is. Just like playing basketball, surfing the internet and reading books. Maybe you should take a break? Just think about it for a while and find out what it is that you feel is uninteresting about video games today?

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Not to be a doosh, but how is this a "touchy subject"? It's not like you lost your dog Sparky.  Now that would be terrible.

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Semper Fidelis

thanks for the reply, honestly I don't know what sparked it, i actually took around a 6-7 month break from video games completlely, and just read comic books/ watched movies. Then I was like im going to get my xbox fixed because I miss video games. Then I thought hard about it and was like, I realize alot of my friends who used to play video games and love them like I used to don't like them at all anymore, and are all about partying and girls, why havent i moved on to this stage, its like im stuck in the past or something. So I guess the spark is the changing of all my friends and not me?

 XLeviathanDeadX wrote:

thanks for the reply, honestly I don't know what sparked it, i actually took around a 6-7 month break from video games completlely, and just read comic books/ watched movies. Then I was like im going to get my xbox fixed because I miss video games. Then I thought hard about it and was like, I realize alot of my friends who used to play video games and love them like I used to don't like them at all anymore, and are all about partying and girls, why havent i moved on to this stage, its like im stuck in the past or something. So I guess the spark is the changing of all my friends and not me?

You're welcome. After reading that I can only say one thing. You have to make a decision. Do you want to be yourself and continue playing video games? Or hop on the bandwagon and join your friends? So what they are all about partying and girls? I mean they are fun in there own kind of way but it all comes down to what you feel is best for you. Why don't you try mixing it up. That what I do. I do a ton of other things beside gaming. Examples include: reading the Bible, watching tv, playing basketball, browsing the internet, cleaning your room, going out(to the park or something), and walking your dog. I mean there are endless possibilites. Just because your friends do something doesn't mean you have to give up your hobby.

Simple version: If your friends jump off of cliff would you follow suit and jump too?

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haha very true, yea partying and whatnot just isnt for me, to be honest I think its sad THEY lost their roots at what made them happy. my life isnt purely video games, i work out, have a social life, ect. but I do love them and they make my life alot happier. sucks to be them and their loss of imagination.

I love video games and I'm 21.

I believe what you're soon going to realise is - that human relationships is more important than video games.

Video games is a hobby.

Human relations is a physical -need-

My guess is when you're sitting alone and is trying to play a great game getting achievements etc., you're thinking, "what's the point?". You won't have that same feeling when having a girlfriend etc.

I myself feel that way, since I love playing video games.. And it pisses me off :P  That I cannot enjoy a game probably anymore.

Aight, dunno if this helped you, just wanted to explain the way I feel about gaming ;)

When I was a Child, I thought, spoke & acted as a Child. When I became a Man, I put all Childish things away. 1st Corinthians 13:11.

The fact is you are and have become a Man. You are thinking and acting more responsibly/maturely. Finding things to do that cause you to want to venture out and seek a more mature audience is also coming in to factor with you.  I think you are seeking yourself as a man now rather than holding on to that boyish childhood.

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Never argue with an Idiot. He'll only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.

 SmK252 wrote:

I love video games and I'm 21.

I believe what you're soon going to realise is - that human relationships is more important than video games.

Video games is a hobby.

Human relations is a physical -need-

My guess is when you're sitting alone and is trying to play a great game getting achievements etc., you're thinking, "what's the point?". You won't have that same feeling when having a girlfriend etc.

I myself feel that way, since I love playing video games.. And it pisses me off :P  That I cannot enjoy a game probably anymore.

Aight, dunno if this helped you, just wanted to explain the way I feel about gaming ;)

lol.....physical need?

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Top games of all time:

-Fallout 3
-Halo 2
-Resident Evil 4
-Grand Theft Auto:San Andreas
-Tenchu
-Left 4 Dead

Gee, being only 20 and thinking playing games on XB is childish...man, then at what age level am I at being 48. Sure, I played vid games in my teens...if you call pong a vid game hahahaha. I seen the gaming industry grow, game changed as did gaming systems. I played some that were PC based but it wasn't much fun using a keyboard and mouse. It wasn't until I bought a refurb xbox that I started getting into gaming. About two years ago I finally bought an XB360 that I found an enjoyment for gaming (I'm hooked on Fallout3). Sure, there's a whole world out there so go camping, visiting freinds, travel or whatever. Just because you are a gamer doesn't mean that there isn't a whole other world out there. Heck, I might go a week or two before I get back into playing again...but, it doesn't matter because it is just for entertainment after all.

OP, you're going through this little thing called growing up. You're finding yourself right now. I'm 36, I went through a similar faze at your age. There's a whole new world of experiences and freedoms you're experiencing for the first time. Don't worry about it. I'm married (8 years) and have 2 boys. I still game. Just not as much as I did when I was single. The bottom line is you may lose interest or you may step away from them for a while and come back. Don't sweat it. Playing video games does not make you childish. As long as you find a balance between the things you have to do in life, the things you need to do and the things you want to do you'll be fine. I can tell you this, things don't get any easier from this point on in life so it's very important to have balance and to have something that can and will be a good form of stress relief. That's where video games can be very helpful to you. Hope that gave you something to think about my young friend.

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Unofficial Gamerparents Play Date/Meet & Greet Thread

 Mkadt wrote:

When I was a Child, I thought, spoke & acted as a Child. When I became a Man, I put all Childish things away. 1st Corinthians 13:11.

The fact is you are and have become a Man. You are thinking and acting more responsibly/maturely. Finding things to do that cause you to want to venture out and seek a more mature audience is also coming in to factor with you.  I think you are seeking yourself as a man now rather than holding on to that boyish childhood.

There are plenty of responsible/mature gamers on Live and really is it such a bad thing to act like a child from time to time? I'd like to think no one really ever 'grows up' these days we all need to give in to the 'inner child' every now and then. For me my 'inner child' comes out when I play online-gaming is what makes me happy.

As for the OP, the partying and girls your friends are into now, will be a thing of the past once it has run its course. It is just a phase so to speak, before long you'll have your friends back online wondering why they ever left in the first place. Esp. with all the new games coming out this year! Everyone just has to know when to be a man and when to be a child and just be happy.

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You have been banned from posting on the forums until 11-11-2009 4:11 AM.

Wow.

 Oldtimer001 wrote:

faze

 

Sorry guys. I had to laugh at myself here. It's spelled phase. BTW, spell-check missed it both times.

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Unofficial Gamerparents Play Date/Meet & Greet Thread

Dude, I'll be 60 in a few months.  I've been gaming for 30+ years, since the Atari 2600 days.  I don't feel "chidish".  I feel very lucky, that I'm getting to play some cool games and they're only getting better.  I remember thing how AMAZING it was, to move around in a game and not just walk from left to right.  And how great the graphics were.  That game was DOOM.  If you've seen it, you know it's VERY crappy by today's standards.  I mean, you can't even AIM UP at your target.  No, I don't feel childish at all.  Just lucky!     

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If at first you don't succeed, then you were doing it all wrong.

I have always loved gaming and still do and I am 45. I love to see what they can do with tech and graphics. I have a  good group to play with and that keeps the spark alive as well. I think when the day comes that I don't like gaming will be the day I'm covered with dirt.

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lousyatgaming.com

To reiterate what a lot of people said, how you feel now about gaming is just a phase. Along with the partying and the girls. I don't even know how to put it but what I'm saying is that relationships and video games will always be around so just take your time and be yourself. Also, what a lot of the other guys said was to keep a balance between the social and the video game areas of your life.

Edit: Whatever person said that gaming is "childish" is completely wrong. Video games have blown up completely. People of all ages play video games. This thread is a perfect example. One guy is 60 and still plays video games and the other is 40. Age does not mean anything.

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I'm nearing 36 and I've been gaming since the Intellivision.  I've had periods where I gamed up to 30-40 hours per week, and periods where I haven't gamed at all for several months.  I don't think I gamed at all my entire first year of college.  I was so busy with trying to absorb everything college had to offer (I'm not talking just parties and classes) that I just sort of left gaming alone for that whole year.  I didn't really pick it up with any sort of regularity again until after grad school.

As others have mentioned, it sounds like you're seeing other options for activities around you in college.  Backing off of gaming doesn't have to mean that you see gaming as immature or childish; it just might mean that you have found new interests for the time being that you also enjoy. 

This is just my opinion, but I think that spending more time in other activities in college is a fabulous thing.  At no other time in your life will you be presented with such a wide variety of social, academic, cultural, political, philosophical, and spiritual activities all at once.  Take advantage of those options and explore new things. 

Gaming will still be around should the passion for gaming return.  If it doesn't, please don't feel like you've lost part of you.  Many of us had different passions in our younger years, but they get replaced with new passions.  It doesn't mean we're having less fun; it just means we've found new things that amuse us. 

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Post provided "as is" and confers no rights
Go Irish!

I must ask. Just how childish is it to get swarmed by mutant zombies then PUKED on by a boomer all while trying to fight off this huge massive hoard of flesh-eating monsters? Not very if you ask me. <3
      Gaming, I think anyway, is suitable for all ages! Look at the wide range of games available, everything to Handy Manny to Gears 2. Video games have become such a way of life these days that it's no longer thought of as childish, but normal, really. I'm 24, and I only started when the Nintendo 64 came out, but I've been addicted ever since, and I don't plan on giving it up any time soon, it's an enjoyable hobby!
   I have to admit, since my son was born, I have slowed way down in my gaming, obviously, he comes first. However, in life growing old is manditory while growing UP is optional. As long as business is taken care of, and your responsibilities are handled, why not sit down and release your inner kid? All it is, is your -you- time, how you spend it is not for anyone to judge. It's just like when artists paint, writers write, and so on. You're a gamer, so, you game!

Gaming is like life IMO.

1) its always growing  and learning new things.
2) i started in gaming when it was just crawling and today in 2009 we are running.
3) games has had alot of new ideas some that have stuck and some that have died off. Just like in life you have different likes and dislikes and its always changing.

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*GAMERDADZ*

mmmmm plasma

 XLeviathanDeadX wrote:

I wonder if any of you other adults who are even older than I am, and parents (which i admire) feel like you are losing that "passion" for video games you used to have or you feel like you are "immature" for playing them. Thanks a bunch, looking forward to some deep replies!

It was nice reading many of these replies

I had the same feeling too actually - and still have it as the last two years of college have been very intense. I take the maximum amount of credits allowed per semester, and I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Layout Editor of our college newspaper, which can eat up to over 70 hours per semester.

Even during the summer, I have a very intense session. Luckily I will have a one month break in August and then I will feel all kiddy again!

I'll be playing a lot more video games.. and hopefully doing a few other things as well. I don't think I could ever lose a passion for video games, it's really all just a matter of priority. Education is more important than playing video game right now. After all, I do plan on wanting to have a job in the video game industry doing something : )

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|Tweet @Silvercube|
~ Xbox Care Bear ~

Video games are fun but life marches on and more important things/people require your time and energy. My wife, my child, my career, and my house hold a higher priority... and they should.

Dang ur old lol

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 Dazerdark wrote:

Keep a bible on it and a box next to it you can use to ship the console in, when the bible fails.

 XLeviathanDeadX wrote:

Im 19 years old and i'll be 20 years old coming up in september. I've always been a gamer, since i was 4 years old its just been an obsession or extreme hobby of mine to buy/collect video games. Now that im in college and everything is far/vastly different, the world of video gaming seems so different to me. I feel like an "old" gamer, like i've lost my spunk or lust of the gaming industry. I promised myself when I was a kid, I would NEVER grow up, and always keep to the hobbys that made myself the happy kid i used to be growing up. The point of this post is, I wonder if any of you other adults who are even older than I am, and parents (which i admire) feel like you are losing that "passion" for video games you used to have or you feel like you are "immature" for playing them. Thanks a bunch, looking forward to some deep replies!

Well when you've been gaming nearly as long as the industry has been alive you're sure to lose interest once in a while. Video games, like every industry, has its ups and downs and it can be difficult to stick out the hard times. I have personally never gotten tired of gaming in general but I do know of a few things that help reinvigorate your desire. Take a chance and play a game of a genre you normally don't try or enjoy, the mere change of pace will provide a unique and much needed experience. Don't be afraid to go back and play those NES games as the nostalgia alone is often exciting. Any game with player made content has near infinite depth and will provide a different perspective on games as you'll be designing for others rather than playing. Last of all, don't feel bad if you need to take a break. The games will still be there when you come back and frankly life is too short to do things you don't enjoy.

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I'm 32 with 2 kids (ages 3 and 13) and do not think video games are childish.Back in the day it may have seemed like that because we were kids,its when video games came full circle.As the times and games evolved so did the gamers,just because you hit a certain age doesnt mean you have to stop.Alot of my friends are the same age as me and play all the time still. It's awesome i get to share this hobby with my kids and watch them grow to enjoy it as well.

I'm sure my kids would rather have me spending time with them or home playing video games then doing something else. There's a reason there is a lot of M rated games, there made for Adults and the gaming industry knows the older folks are what keeps them in business. Just a tidbit of information for you, the average age of a gamer is 32. I got no problems with older folks such as my self playing games whether it looks childish or not, as long as it doesnt get in the way of your responsibilities like paying the bills and raising your kids. Video games know no age limit. I got people on my friends list from 20 all the way up to 65.

30 years old and a gamer for 25 years now, no kids but got a depending job and this is my way to unwind. Others watch tv, I game. :)

Nothing better than after a crap day at work than to unwind on the xbox!

I'm 29 and I'm not a parent, but I am a therapist who works with traumatized kids. After a day with those guys, I really, really need to unwind. My xbox is a great tool for that.

I don't think you need to give up gaming just to "grow up." Actually, having a good coping skill to use at the end of a long day is a sign of a mature individual. It's only when gaming becomes your life (or gets in the way of school, work, relationships, etc) that it becomes a real problem.

Anyway, I'm glad to see this thread. It's good to see adults thinking rationally about games and the impact they have individuals (kids and adults) rather than just screaming "Video games are bad!" and running away. *L*

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We have normality. I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem.

 aixla wrote:

I'm 29 and I'm not a parent, but I am a therapist who works with traumatized kids. After a day with those guys, I really, really need to unwind. My xbox is a great tool for that.

I really respect you. As a traumatized kid myself, it's nice to see there are people out there helping kids. I never got any help when I was a kid. It was only until I got robbed at gunpoint in April that I started going to therapy and dealing with all of the issues.

One of the many things I'm doing in college is minoring in psychology, specifically with helping children as I'm very sensitive to notice and pick up things others might not see in children. It's the worst when they are screaming for help inside but don't know how to express it or deal with it (letting anyone know that there's a problem).

The Xbox is a great tool for taking a break. Video games has been a huge part of my life ever since I was a kid that kept me alive during the tough times.

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|Tweet @Silvercube|
~ Xbox Care Bear ~

I know what your saying, I'm 25 and have been a gamer since my early years, the easy way round your friends making you feel awkward over your hobby is to get them involved in like a gaming party (ever played Endwar drunk? funny as f***) I do it, they dont mock me for playing. In fact some have even bought themselves a console, basically you need to make a choice as to what will keep you happy......

Gaming will still be here waiting if you decide to give it up for a while. As I've found, gaming tends to be less annoying than quite a few people I know. I know I'd rather play my xbox than visit some people I know

Well as an oldie at 42 I'd say that all that happens is that real-life reduces your gaming time.

I play more now in the last few years that my kids have got older, so my hobby I guess is playing pc or xbox games.  It is my way of relaxing and that's what I tell the people who look at me as being odd when they find out I play 'kids' games.