At what age should people stop PC gaming?

[limey123]

My gf and I have always been gamers, since the early 80s and the ZX Spectrum (who remembers that?) and various hand-held devices in the early days. We grew up with this stuff and never quite grew out of it

I'm talking about PC games, not console stuff.

When not working or doing other stuff like socialising, we both spend a certain amount of our time PC gaming. I like mainly grand strategy, some FPS and some sports games. She likes more fantasy and casual stuff. I have several dozen steam games, but I only regularly play a handful of them. My gf is hardcore: she has over 10 times the number of games I have.

PC games seem a natural activity to some extent for someone who is introverted (we're both introverts) and who suffers from SA (as I do). They don't require any human interaction and they allow an escape from the stresses of the everyday.

The question is when you should stop playing them. We're in our early 40s. Or is it simply a case of "once a gamer, always a gamer" and we should feel no shame?

Thoughts?

[limey123]

Thanks biscuits.

Well for example, my parents' generation and people like aunts and uncles consider gaming something for kids and teens.

Perhaps they are just envious though because they didn't grow up with it?

[kirbycrackle]

If it makes you happy why should you stop? You shouldn't worry what others think!

If it was causing problems in your day to day life then maybe adjust your playing habits but I don't think you should feel ashamed of doing what you enjoy.

[Toxic]

I fail to see how being "shamed" about pc gaming is any different to being "shamed" about watching tv...yet no one does

I don't think it really has the stigma attached to it like it did 5 or 10 years ago.

Should just do what makes you happy and sod everyone else

(I'm 31 and have no desire to stop any time soon..)

[A Whimsical Stranger]

Originally Posted by biscuits

People think I'm weird for not gaming. I just can't physically do it. Something is wrong with my brain.

Same. I really hate it about myself.

[Hayman]

Personally, I wouldn't feel any shame in doing what you enjoy. It's both your hobbies and looking at the amount of gamers on both YouTube and Twitch (which I watch gamers on both platforms most evenings...), I wouldn't say it was particularly unusual. Infact, it's more 'normal' now than it ever has been.

One of the people I watch on Twitch is a man in his mid forties. He's mainly into simulation games and streams four nights a week...and they're not quick streams either. They last anywhere from five to ten hours at a time.

Much better than TV, I'd say!

[Mikei]

I don't see why you should feel ashamed or set a cut off age for something you like doing, gaming is a perfectly legitimate pastime (and I don't see the need to differentiate PC gaming from any other kind of gaming).

[Mikei]

Originally Posted by biscuits

Why should you feel shame? It's probably the most common hobby in the world.

People think I'm weird for not gaming. I just can't physically do it. Something is wrong with my brain.

I don't get anything from it, I struggle to even enjoy casual games on a mobile phone, I sometimes play Ingress but that's about as far as it goes.

[Spectrelight]

If you enjoy gaming then play games and **** what anyone else thinks. Why give up something you enjoy?

The only things I would be ashamed of are playing World of Warcraft or any other MMORPG and Call of Duty online against people I don***8217;t know while using a mic.

[choirgirl]

I don't see the need to give them up unless you feel you would rather spend your time doing something else. It is more acceptable now, because there are people who grew up gaming who are your age now, and who are successful, conventional adults who are still into it. That said, games of any kind are usually considered unproductive, and thus have always come in for criticism from those who think that people should always spend their times productively.

[Clementine]

'An it harm none, do what ye will'

[Mo34]

Originally Posted by biscuits

Why should you feel shame? It's probably the most common hobby in the world.

People think I'm weird for not gaming. I just can't physically do it. Something is wrong with my brain.

haha me too.

[limey123]

Thanks for your thoughts, folks. I won't be giving it up yet, then. Glad to know it's considered more socially acceptable/normal than it used to be for older people to be doing.

[redste73]

As others have said why give up something you enjoy.
I'm play on my Xbox one when I get a chance (when the Mrs isn't watching TV)
I'm 44 and still enjoy it, I play Fifa and COD online, I'm not great at them but so what.

I had a ZX81!! That was even before the Spectrum, was made by Sinclair same as a Spectrum it had 1k memory with a 16k memory pack!!! You can't do anything with 16k these days.

[newbs16]

I don't see why you should have to stop, it's something you both clearly love and you have something in common. Carry on gaming

[Woo]

Both me and my husband are in our 40s and we still play. We don't have a tv which people seem to find a lot stranger. If you enjoy it then why stop?

[ynwa247]

Who cares, as long as you enjoy it? It's not like you're sacrificing anything major socially, considering you have a wife who enjoys it alongside you always.

[Mr. Nobody]

I kind of know where Limey123 is coming from,.
my family are always disparaging of gaming, and it's seen as something for kids,
there's a part of me that's accepted that and always feels bad about playing games on a console,
there's a part of me that thinks, life is passing me by and I'm sitting here trying to kill dragons and whatnot,.. I feel bad about it, but also always enjoyed a good game,
I have tons still to play but have gave up again,. feeling it's somehow wrong,.

in respect of millions watching TV and seeing films, I suppose gaming is no different, perhaps even superior, as you are more involved and certain (untransferable) skills are being used

part of me is a bit horrified about life passing me by and is really torn up about doing trifling stuff like gaming,.
but then, I have really enjoyed some amazing games over the years, some of them have been really amazing,..
dilemma - hey-ho

[sensitivesoul]

Never. If you enjoy it, why would you want to give it up? Hobbies are a wonderful life escape from reality. And we only live once.

[Utopia]

At what age should people stop PC gaming?
At whatever age you want to.

[Ziggy]

Had a stroke so that's reduced (really sadly) what I can handle PC gaming wise, but my age is 43 and it seems silly to restrict with an age barrier, heck if your 90 years old and can project your body/mind into a new gaming dimension surely that's a good thing.

[Bluebear]

There is no should about gaming or not gaming, as in restrictions with an age barrier.

[Gosties]

I play the occasional game from time to time.
Age does not come into it in my opinion just a case doing what you enjoy.
It's just a way of using your spare time to relax.

Some people like books, films, tv etc.
We all have things that allow us to remove ourselves from the foibles of that day for a little while at least.

[john smith]

I'm think as you get older gaming as a hobbie would be more likely.
Not surprised when the average gamer age turned out to be in there 30s.
Less energy and time to do things outdoors.
Good cheap and addictive form of entertainment.
Easy hobbie/interest that your u can have with others
Better use of money and time than wasting it on food, alcohol and cigarettes.

[Indigo_]

I kill a lot of zombies, makes me feel good

[A Whimsical Stranger]

Originally Posted by john smith

Better use of money and time than wasting it on food, alcohol and cigarettes.

Whilst I agree with this, I wouldn't *not* recommend doing all four at once.