Adults and computer gaming

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RMCF

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This isn't meant as a dig at anyone here, but its just something that I have wondered about in recent years after listening to friends and work colleagues.

When did playing computer games become acceptable for grown adults (mostly men)?

I was a child of the late 70s/80s and was a bit of a computer geek myself (, Atari VCS, Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amiga) and spent a lot of time playing games, but the interest faded when I hit about 17 or 18.

Now I know many many people in their 30s and 40s who play computer games every day/night and I just can't understand it. Maybe its just me?
 
I kind of agree. I'm the same vintage as you but my interest stayed well into my mid 20s. I still play the odd thing in arcades etc kind of out of curiosity when circumstances and time allow - once or twice a year maybe.

I'm too basic in terms of games though - I only really ever liked blowing things up or killing things. Couldn't really be arsed with all that strategy mullarkey that makes a game last two and a half weeks.

For me it was partly the increasing popularity of these games that started to turn me off.

Although TBH the main reason I don't have a PS or similar is for fear of addiction so maybe that tells you something.
 
RMCF said:
Now I know many many people in their 30s and 40s who play computer games every day/night and I just can't understand it. Maybe its just me?
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Nope not just you, I see no interest in it. I admit to playing a little multi player Doom when it was first out, but half the fun was connecting the PCs togeather via Novell and using a £20K video protector! We spent as much time aligning up the RGB lenses as playing the game:D Anyone interested in 50m of RG58 cable?
 
RMCF said:
When did playing computer games become acceptable for grown adults (mostly men)?
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Not many adults played games in the 80s because

1. They were relatively new technology
2. The games were more simplistic

As the first generation of kids to play video games grew up, it would be strange if some people didn't stick to them.

Also, many of the games are aimed at adults, Grand Theft Auto for example has an 18s cert and would have been targetted at 18 to 30 year olds.

You might also ask 'When did it become acceptable for adults to watch cartoons?'.

Like video games, many cartoons (e.g. South Park & Family Guy) are now targetted at adults and much of the content is much too clever (and even risque) for kids.

You could also ask 'When did it become acceptable for adults to join social networking sites?', after all these started out with Bebo, etc for kids.
 
Caveat said:
- I only really ever liked blowing things up or killing things. Couldn't really be arsed with all that strategy mullarkey that makes a game last two and a half weeks.
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I loved Grand Theft Auto and bought the game for Xbox ( my son had the machine). Played it I guess about once a week for ages. Didn't get much into the plot just loved driving and crashing cars and shooting things up. :cool: Then the machine broke he wasn't pushed about it and that was the end of GTA. I also enjoyed Microsoft's Flight Simulator and recently bought it for PC at the huge cost of €10. PLayes it 3 or 4 times in total. Apart from that I'd have no real interest in computer games anymore. I think that the keystrokes / controller buttons required on some of these tactical first person shoot-em-up games have become too much for the muddle-aged mind :eek: .
 
its perfectly acceptbale for adults to play computer games, join social networks etc, i think the problem is when they become totally consumed by them at the detriment to themsleves and those around them. They end up having nothing to say on these sites, their status is auto updated by what they doing.

I know a guy who spends all weekend playing some game (not pacman) has a wife and young kids, and works during the week. Also lost contact with his friends, not too worried about that, but for the wife and kids its not good.
 
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I got back into games a little bit in the last year or two (&I'm over 30), just bought a few basic PC ones cheaps as chips, Moto GP is good craic but fairly hard (bike keeps crashing!).

While the graphics are a lot better now, in some games theres a lot of rigmarole & plot in getting started, I just wanna blow stuff up !!

What is great for nostalgia is to download an emulator for free (google MAME) and then download a few old arcade games (romworld etc.).

I spent on average, I'd say, 2hrs a month, just when bored. As other posters have said theres no harm in it as long as it doesnt stop you doing more useful stuff ......... like watching telly & surfing d'internet !!!!!
 
More and more Adults are gaming now due to the advancements in Technology.

Compare a PS3 to an Atari.

Gaming has become far more intelligent over the years and a hell of a lot more interactive.

Take the development of Heavy Rain by Sony. This is one example of the evolution of Gaming and its rapidly going to continue.

http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/02/review-heavy-rain/
 
Mmmm. Saw the TV ads for this game and have to say that it looks very impressive.
 
I wouldnt be a big gamer myself but i have to say I am hoping they release it for the PC.
 
I'm 39 and my daughter is going on 3. I recently traded the PS2 for an Xbox 360 and it wasn't bought with her in mind if you know what I mean. About two mornings a week before the girls are stirring I'll play Modern Warfare 2 online against my cousins in the States (who are 36 and 41 respectively) for an hour before going to work. 6am here and 11pm there. Perfect! I'll also usually grab an hour or so once or twice a week to play some other games but, since my preferences are for 1st person shooters, that precludes them being played in front of the youngster. Orders from the Boss! Usually happens when they are out and about.

I never really played computer games until I was in my early 30's but until you get into a cracking game (like 'Medal of Honour' or 'Silent Hill') you will probably never understand the attraction. Most of the time I'm a well-balanced, happily married Dad with my own business. However, just show me a russian with a gun pointed at me at 6am in the morning,from whom I have to capture the blue-print of a new missile design, and I go postal!!!!:D
 
I hear whats being said about HEavy Rain, and how some have compared it to a great TV show or film, but if thats the case, why not watch a great TV show or film instead?
 
RMCF said:
I hear whats being said about HEavy Rain, and how some have compared it to a great TV show or film, but if thats the case, why not watch a great TV show or film instead?
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Yeah like The West Wing. Best thing I ever got was the entire boxed set. Finished it few months ago, about time to start again I think :D
 
I would play more games if they made more games I liked.

I like a game where I get to wander around different areas, look at things, look for things, collect things for use in other areas, solve puzzles and do a small bit of fighting/killing/avoiding the baddies.

I got hours of entertainment out of Tomb Raider and Silent Hill (on PSP) but everything else I looked at seemed to be more shoot-em-up, drive/race, blow-things-up, fight-things or seem to need a lot more skill than I have to play.

The other problem I have is that the games are expensive, so you check out online reviews, look at screen shots etc...but you can still end up dropping a lot of money on something that ends up being boring. Maybe Im just not committed enough :)
 
I was into games as a teenager - SNES mainly. Always been a big fan of the mario games so I was thrilled when I got a Nintendo Wii for xmas. I play it a few times a week, mainly mario kart or mario brothers but also the more physical games like tennis, boxing etc. It was the best present I ever got as an adult:)
 
I hear whats being said about HEavy Rain, and how some have compared it to a great TV show or film, but if thats the case, why not watch a great TV show or film instead?
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It's a bit like saying why not read a book instead of watching a film? They are two different experiences.

Like Caveat above, I haven't bought an xbox or playstation because I'll get addicted. I spent weeks playing Doom. I did get a DS lite, and spent weeks finishing super mario.

When the 3D stuff comes out, I'll probably end up buying it. Gaming will probably merge with the social networking, if it hasn't already.

I suppose unless you've ever been engrossed in a game, it's hard to understand. I don't 'get' the whole twitter/facebook thing, for example.
 
truthseeker said:
I would play more games if they made more games I liked.

I like a game where I get to wander around different areas, look at things, look for things, collect things for use in other areas, solve puzzles and do a small bit of fighting/killing/avoiding the baddies.
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I never played games until about a year ago- we were going on holidays and my husband downloaded a few games like Ravenhearst or other hidden object/mystery games on the laptop as we knew there would be no tv etc. I started playing a few with him and found them a bit of fun. I wouldn't play more than one every three or four months though, usually when on holidays. He has a rapidshare account so he downloads them for free.

If you haven't played Ravenhearst, I'd recommend it.
 
RMCF said:
I hear whats being said about HEavy Rain, and how some have compared it to a great TV show or film, but if thats the case, why not watch a great TV show or film instead?
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you watch a programme, but with a computer game you are in command and to a certain extent immersed in the game. I think that computer games that are like tv programmes to some extent are alot better then just watching a programme. you are challenged to think in alot of games now, puzzles, time trials etc. etc. which requires some thinking. If you were to watch a tv series of say about 10 episodes straight then i would say you hardly think about it at all or anything that will come up in the programme to challenge mental ability, except for tyring to figure out the ending.

my brother recently gave me a loan of his PS3. he has assasins creed 2 for it and i am playing it at the moment. its a great game, alot of cinematic bits. clever story line and great game play. It is these items that game developers have expanded over the years to get games more interesting to older generations. i will admit though that for some people who have known that simple point and shoot games when they were younger that getting to grips with the likes of shooting games now could take more time, lots more buttons to press when in action, using both thumbs to control running and viewing at the same time. its easier for a child to learn this and ini my experience with older people when it comes to learning all the controls they find it difficult and after a while give up.
 
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