Ex-gaming-age: what do you think of videogames now?

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I've always had a pretty decent balance when it comes to games and my few other hobbies. I don't see myself giving up on video games or pnp games anytime soon. I'm 36 and I'm hoping my daughter likes games so we can play together when she gets a little older (she's one right now).

If you're spending more than twenty hours* on games a week, and you're not a kid on summer holidays, I'd be questioning your priorities.

*although I'd say with mobile gaming you could rack up the hours...
 
alphaNoid said:
sorry, quick version...

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Yeah lol.

Still game a bit but next gen I'll just be getting one system and probably upgrade my PC a bit.
 
I only pick up a few titles per year. The only games I'm looking forward to that I can think of are Battlefield 3, FIFA 12, Arkham City and BioShock Infinite. And as far as I know the last two wont be out for some time.
 
I haven't quit, but my time (and urge) for gaming are severely less than what they were two or three years ago. I found other things in life I can enjoy even more. I won't quit the hobby, as there's still some games I really enjoy (I still spend way too much time playing Fallout :lol), but it's definitely lessened.

I probably won't buy a next-gen console, and just buy/upgrade a PC instead, too.
 
I still like games, but I spend a lot less time playing them than I used to. I also get frustrated with games a lot more easily as I get older.
 
Stumpokapow said:
It's pretty weird that you literally offered to whore yourself out to get an early shot at a beta of a mostly multiplayer FPS, but you're here saying that you don't play or care about games, you hate multiplayer communities, and you think the latest shooter is been there, done that.
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busted, buddy. LOL. nice thread.
 
You could say I game less than I used, but I'd rather see it as being more discerning :)

I play for a few hours a week. Sometimes more sometimes less, quite often with friends, sometimes on my own. I've played games all my life but I wouldn't say it's ever pulled me away from other interests or doing anything productive. It wouldn't change my life if I stopped, I mean there are periods of months when I haven't played anything, but I don't feel any different either way.
 
LuCkymoON said:
A waste of time and money tbh.
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But then what isn't? Movies, Books, GAF, Internet, getting drunk at the bar?


Only thing that is a waste of time- Spending time doing something you don't enjoy.
 
I stopped buying games because I don't have the time to play anymore. And when I do have the time I decided to do other things like watch movies. After my 5th game that sat around and collected dust I decided to stop wasting my money. So yes, I haven't purchased a game in over a year. I am 28 by the way.
 
I used to be hardcore into games, and originally planned on going into the industry. I majored in Digital Media Design hoping to get a job as a game programmer. But as I grew older, I realized games weren't maturing at the same level I was. They remained a form of fantasy escapism, when what I really wanted was interesting storylines, engaging characters, and interesting new experiences. I guess I wanted emotional escapism rather than typically "you're a superhero" escapism.

However, the industry isn't set up to properly reward innovation, particularly in the realm of narrative, so I just lost interest. There are a few games that I'll play, but most don't interest me anymore. I am looking forward to Dark Souls, Uncharted 3, and Mass Effect 3 though. May play Deus Ex: HR sometime too.
 
I didn't really quit playing videogames, videogames quit catering to players like me.

I'm one of those grognard types now that I used to laugh at a decade ago.
 
I have found myself playing a LOT less games recently . . . this is in part due to the fact that I just moved, and packing, logistics, etc., is hell and requires a lot of time. It's also in part that I got an iPad, and I've been browsing lots of internet and goofing off with that when I have time. The only games I've been playing are TowerDefense on the iPad, and Dungeon Hunter 2 on the same platform.
I think my friend just sucked me into League of Legends, though, so we'll see.
I certainly recognize that I'm better off when I play FEWER games and spend LESS time doing so, but I go through phases. I'm doing my best, though, to keep it to a minimum for good, and to focus more on getting stuff done and taking care of my life. Priorities are a mofo.
 
Well I've been waiting for massive 3d worlds to explore for years. The technology to deliver those worlds has now arrived, and with games like the Fallouts and Risen already here, and bigger an better games like those on the horizon, I can't see myself stopping any time soon.

If anything, I've gotten bored of non-interactive entertainment like television and films. Still need my music though, I'll never be able to live without that.
 
I think I'm slowly reaching the point where I'm "done" with gaming. I say "done" because I don't plan on giving it up entirely, but I honestly have no interest in reentering the next gen console race, starting with the Wii U. I'll keep the majority of my old games and break them out to play when I feel like it, but nothing on the horizon really excites me, apart from Arkham City and Skyward Sword.

Like the OP, I've been a hardcore gamer for the better part of my life, but the fact that I'm just over 2 years from turning 30 has caused me to stop and take stock of where I am in life, and I don't really wanna spend the time or money that I used to on video games. Hell of a ride while it lasted, though.
 
I haven't played a real videogame in like 5 years. Maybe I would if I had a nice rig and/or console.

I think Resident Evil 4 on GCN was the last game I beat.
 
I would love to play games, but I don't have time, and few interest me. The games that do require too much of a time investment.
 
I have toned down my gaming immensely in recent years. Mainly because I know what I like and don't like far more.

I used to buy every game that I thought had an interesting concept, or looked cool, or whatever. Half the time I'd only play it for like 15 minutes before shelving it.

Now I only buy what I know I'll play and enjoy and get my money out of. Things like Skyrim, Fallout, Deus Ex, etc.
 
i play way less games nowadays just because games are not evolving at a rate enough to keep up with my expanding brain. this gen has really been a fucking disaster. only nintendo has been delivering consistently with awesome games like SMG.
 
About to turn 30. I still game a lot, but it's not important anymore, just something to kill time. If I have things to do with other people in the evenings I'll do that, but if I'm just sitting around one night I'll sit back and play games or read a book or watch a movie and have some fun.

I also don't treat games as different than movies, music, books, comics. I enjoy all of them, but they're all of low importance these days, and are just for having fun when I'm in the mood for solo enjoyment. I've never been into online/multiplayer gaming, so media is more of a personal/solo thing.

Like right now I play maybe 30-60 mins of Devil Survivor 2 every few nights before I go to sleep. It's really entertaining and I love every minute I'm playing it, but I never feel the need to play it.

I also don't think gaming is any worse now than it was a decade or two or three ago. It's just less important to me as other priorities became more important.
 
BananaBomb said:
i play way less games nowadays just because games are not evolving at a rate enough to keep up with my expanding brain. this gen has really been a fucking disaster. only nintendo has been delivering consistently with awesome games like SMG.
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Step out of the home console box and into the PC box. Your ever expanding brain is not enough to keep up with the awesome.
 
Very rarely do I ever buy games nowadays. If there's anything I'm interested in I generally just get it as a gift during Christmas or maaaybe for my birthday, so I'm generally now repulsed by the thought of paying for any game that isn't something I'm really really interested in. Even if I'm really interested I generally try to wait until I can just get it as a gift from someone.

If/when I get a few games at Christmas, I'll generally burn through them within a few weeks, but I won't get any new games until the next birthday/christmas rolls around. Once I've finished the new games that were gifted to me, I might rarely mess around a bit with one every now and then for a couple hours, but that depends on getting into a mood for it and happens maybe every few months.

Approaching things this way I have come to talk and read about games far more than I play them. It's still just fun to talk about them with my friends for whatever reason (especially since most of my closest guy friends seem to play alot more than I do). I try to keep an eye out for something multiplayer that I can play (not online) with my friends, much like we did in highschool every week, but have yet to see something that seems like it would generate weekly meetups like they used to.

Gathering games in this way it seems that I gather something around 10-15 games over roughly a 5-year span. I'd probably play alot more if my girlfriend were into it, since most of my free time is spent with her now.
 
SpectreFire said:
Exactly. Video game is no different than any other forms of entertainment. Reading, sports, drinking, etc etc. Keep everything in check, and it'll all be fine.

For me though, I don't find myself playing games like shooters or action games that much anymore. I don't really care about Mario or any of that. The only games I now are story-based games. Stuff like LA Noire, Mass Effect, Assassins Creed. Something with a good solid narrative that'll keep me in that world.
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Video gaming is very, very different from those hobbies. In terms of benefit:

Reading = improves literacy, personal development, etc (assuming you're reading quality novels, newspapers, informative non-fiction)
Sports = improves personal health and fitness, proves opportunities for socializing
Drinking = just a completely different thing. Doesn't require explanation.

Videogames = provides opportunity for socializing, minorly improves certain aspects of 'intelligence'.

I've recently gotten back into gaming. It's difficult to explain why. But I think I'm playing too much now and am at a precipice where I'll either get more games (import Pikmin 2 NPC, Xenoblade and buy Deus Ex) that would take up a lot of time, or make an effort to back away from games. Right now it's not disrupting my social life, but there are definitely other things I would be better off doing with my free time. ie, reading
 
Despite this generation's awful, awful trends I still have games that I'm looking forward to. I've considered quitting gaming before and sometimes still do, though.
 
i still play Geometry Wars and Fallout 3

i still like to play video games. the other side of this place can really warp your perception of this, but i learned a while ago to just go with what you like. try a lot of things, keep an open mind, and once in a while you'll find something you really enjoy.

i LOVE talking about games with people. been mulling over a few podcast ideas, because i think conversations about games can really help people figure out what it is they appreciate in a video game. unfortunately it's hard to come by.
 
I do have less time to play games, but I still play them. I have been buying cheap games on Steam, mainly 'indie' games that strike me as interesting from a play standpoint.

I do enjoy the games that work well in a social atmosphere like Rock Band or Wii Sports since they work well in party atmospheres where I am actually doing more than just videogames.

Since I've always had a lot of interests, my aging hasn't moved me completely away from games. Balancing hobbies and pursuits is nothing new. I don't find gaming to be a waste of time either, as there is plenty within gaming that is moving out into popular culture and other medias. There is plenty to be gathered from gaming right now, even in its infancy, that will add to greater discussions of story, art or human behavior. It just takes someone to start digging those little worthy tidbits out and then phrase them in a way that becomes a new standard.
 
i only play streets of rage 2 online multiplayer anymore

otherwise i think gaming is mostly silly and i regret all the money i wasted on them
 
I do admit i have less time to game when school starts again.
And i will probably will also use my free time to learn C++ first and DX 9 and after that i will learn some asp.net and internet scripting language.
 
I'm 21 and I used to play every W/JRPG in existence. Even after stopping I don't think gaming is a waste of time. It just can't really hold my attention anymore.

I can't play console games at all or any single player games in genereal. I really regret getting launch PS360Wii's. My Wii has been retired for years, my 360 is used for the CoD/Gears of War franchises/Hulu and I've bought about 5 PS3 games in 5 years.
 
I'm only 23 but games don't really interest me much anymore.

I seem to only play sports games, like Madden and NBA2k. I occasionally fire up Half-Life 2, but that is really it. I feel like I've just grown out of them.

The only genre of games I look down upon is FPS's. They all look nearly identical now. I couldn't tell you the difference between COD and Medal of Honor (do they even make these games anymore?).

Lately I've mainly been reading and making music. I guess they are 'substitutes,' if you must. Though I've been playing music for 10 years now.
 
I felt like my interest in gaming was waning but Steam got me back into it. Now I just look at it as any other piece of media; I don't believe I can become an "ex-gamer".
 
dark souls is coming, so i'm still a gamer.

3rd strike, too.

i'm more selective now than i used to be - i dont feel the need to play whatever the new hot shit is, own all the consoles, etc.. don't think i'll ever fully be like "FUCK IT, IM DONE, NOT ONE MORE DOLLAR!" though. i should probably quit smoking first.
 
one day i looked at my stack of games and then looked in the mirror and sold most of the collection from middle school/high school on amazon

collecting games is embarrassing now. only buy games i really want, the rest are rent or traded away after completion.
 
Stabbie said:
Guess this belongs in offtopic because ex-gamers don't often check the gaming forum anymore.

I used to be obsessed with videogames for 6+ years. Gaming was my life. In the end I had over 100 games. Then suddenly I decided to quit and sell all of it. A year later I bought a Wii for the second time because I got bored sometimes. I enjoyed it, a few months later I sold it again and that was it. It's been over 3 years and I haven't looked back. The only game I played in the past 3 years was Tetris.

Now I consider videogames pretty much the same as television: a waste of time. I look back at my time as a gamer and I haven't accomplished any personal development during that time (edit: to be clear, I blame the obsession, not videogames in general). It's been 3 years since I quit and my whole life has changed. My friends and family tell me I am a completely different person now.

Though I Have to admit I still follow E3 every year (Nintendo only). I have no idea why.

Anyone else here who has quit gaming altogether? Has it changed you and how do you view videogames now?
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I haven't quit videogames but I play significantly less than what I used to. I would say I was actually addicted when I was a kid through my teens.

But now, I just have very little personal free time as an "adult". If I'm not at work, I'm having dinner/drinks with friends, going camping, road trips, etc, then I'm cleaning the yard, the house, cleaning my mothers yard (because she's lost strength in one of her arms), etc. Even when I do have a stretch of free time by myself and I'm bored, I usually go to a book store and pick up a book or go out to dinner/drink on my own.

Occasionally I still do play a video game that captures my time such as Red Dead Redemption which I was pretty much obsessed with for the two weeks or so it took for me to finish it, but the vast majority of video games nowadays seem like a colossal waste of time. It's pretty much limited to the triple AAA titles, and of those, only the ones that interest me.

My view on videogames matches my habits now I guess. They're fine if you have some free time and are bored. They're a good time sink. Unless you're a kid or teenager that has tons of free time though, I tend to look down on people that spend so much time on them. Like say a 25 year old guy that finishes a huge RPG in the span of a night or two on a regular basis seems kinda pathetic to me, like they have no life.* For me, it's kinda hard to actually find time to play games, even when I want to. :\


Edit:

*Unless they actually DO something with all that video game time. If I have lunch on my own, I tend to watch a few YouTube retro gamer channels on my phone. They no doubt play a lot of videogames but they make money and a livelihood doing it, which gets my respect.
 
When I signed up for GAF I was really into games and stuff but a few months later I stopped playing that many. Once in a while I'll play some major titles or maybe with some friends but usually I think they're not really worth it anymore. And yes I've changed a lot more since I stopped, became more social/smarter.

That's not to say I don't play them altogether, I still have a Wii and a 360 but I usually only play once a week if I get a new game and/or when my siblings/friends come over to play.

I'm 17 btw.
 
i stopped playing for a couple of years and started up again thanks to marvel vs capcom 3. i've since bought a better pc and i'm now playing team fortress 2. those will probably be the only games i play for a while.
 
i have gaming "seasons". some months id never touch a game or hear any sort of gaming news, but some months im totally obsessed and playing games all the time
 
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