SmokedMeat
Gamer™
At 44yrs of age, what bothers me more is not being about to push as much weight with seated dumbbell presses, as I used to. I don't know why, but I just can't.
Today, I turned 30. Today, I realized I lost my competitive edge
- Thread starter JPS Kai
- Start date
DirtyLarry
Member
As others have already stated, I feel my age itself (42) has zero to do with my decline in actual skills. If anything I feel I focus way better now than I ever have.
It is all of the other things that take time, such as memorizing patterns or maps, things were just outright "practicing" or playing brings an advantage, that has declined on my end. All simply due to not having as much free time.
Which is why I know I am no longer that competitive in the genres I tend to prefer (FPS's, action games, etc.). However I do believe if my current self played games like my old self used to, I would be able to hold my own decent enough.
With the above said, also as already stated, it has always been about having fun as much as anything else. But I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy being competitive back in the day. Especially with Counter Strike, Battlefield 1942 & 2, Joint Ops, and Unreal Tournament 4 specifically. I did try to be competitive in those, and I usually was able to do so.
It is all of the other things that take time, such as memorizing patterns or maps, things were just outright "practicing" or playing brings an advantage, that has declined on my end. All simply due to not having as much free time.
Which is why I know I am no longer that competitive in the genres I tend to prefer (FPS's, action games, etc.). However I do believe if my current self played games like my old self used to, I would be able to hold my own decent enough.
With the above said, also as already stated, it has always been about having fun as much as anything else. But I would be lying if I said I did not enjoy being competitive back in the day. Especially with Counter Strike, Battlefield 1942 & 2, Joint Ops, and Unreal Tournament 4 specifically. I did try to be competitive in those, and I usually was able to do so.
I think it has less to do with your age and more about less time to game. I am 37 now but back in the day when I had more free time (single, no kids), I was pretty good at CS, SC 1 and 2, SF and other PvP games. Now, gaming time is premium and just don't have enough time to invest to become proficient in the games. But I have been playing Splatoon 2 regularly (30 minutes everyday) past two weeks and I am usually the top player in my group with over 1k points before winning bonus.
DealWithIt
Member
31 here. Age matters in some things, you have to get to a stupidly high level before it will be the limiting factor in gaming.
Surface of Me
I'm not an NPC. And neither are we.
About to be 25 and Im good as ever. 2nd day of getting TF2 and I was already getting into the top 3 players of each lobby.
RedAssedApe
Banned
relegated to playing in pubs so i can't relate to OP haha
Natasha_c13
Member
My reflexes are down a bit, but I can easily hold my own. Played about 80 hours of DOOM multiplayer - after the initial learning curve, I was hitting "Slayer" medals pretty often and usually in top 3 overall.
My theory and experience with aging and skills is that when you were younger you had more mental time, physical time, and time in general to dedicate towards your passions, fun, and lesser priorities in life. You also probably didn't have a full time job, maybe a family, personal and financial obligations that can interfere and even outside stressors you didn't have. I know and have seen many people in their prime at whatever they enjoy in their 30's, 40's, and even older. Whether that's a mental/physical competition/challenge or as just proven at EVO, gaming.
Old Gimlet Eyes
Member
32 here. If I had the same free time my younger selves did, I would destroy them. I've only gotten better, not worse at games.
Phatosaurus
Member
I'd fucking annihilate my 15 year old self in any FPS game. I'm 25 now. My reactions have gotten better if anything.
professor denim
Member
38 playing Shmups like theres no tomorrow
My college self is better than my current self in FPS and Action games but that was because I had way less responsibilities then and could play more. Current self probably better at simulation and RPGs, mostly because I have more patience now and developed a bit of OCD for RPGs over time.
VisualFidelity
Member
Up until my late 20's I was a big time gamer. Online every night and caring about my ranking. I would beat every game I bought. Now im turning 37 this monday. I still enjoy gaming but I never beat games, I could care less about ranking and dont like playing with others lol. Times have changed. FWIW, Ive been a competitive grappler for 20 years and I still compete and have my competitive edge there, just not in gaming. Perhaps its my age or just the games themselves, rarely does a game captivate me like they used to. I still browse negaf and IGN every day though lol