Gamers over 30?

[Uilleand]

As the latest numbers put the average age of gamers somewhere around the mid-30s, I was just curious about a couple of points.

First off, as one of the 'older set' myself, I'm wondering how many of the over-30 crowd hang out here ....

And I'm also very curious as to which games the over-30 gamers are really into.

I'm 36 ... and got into video games through an unhealthy obsession with table-top gaming. So, it's not surprising that my heart belongs to RPGs - most especially BioWare's offerings. My brain is currently being eaten by Dragon Age.

Anyone else? Or am I the lone oldie in a sea of whippersnappers.

*Shakes fist* Get off my lawn, you punks!

 

[Hobo Joe]

I'm 16 but I can say my uncle, he's in his 40s and really into shooters and has been since I can even remember.

 

[rokkolpo]

i don't know why 30+ people even game.

there are so much greater things to do. i'm 16 and in Holland that means NO DRIVING!(we are allowed to drink though)

but not being allowed to go long distances without involving my mom or the train,really bothersome.

 

[Echo_419]

You are 36 and asking questions like this? Unless you want kids like him ^^ to get in 'touch' with you.Why would you care? Your 36, man.

 

[ace_of_something]

I'll be 30 in a couple months. So I'm not sure if I'm a young'n but I sure feel like an old man here.

My older brothers (who are 31, 34, 37, 40) All love video games. We all got our start because our oldest brother saved up and bought a NES and we all played from there. All but my oldest brother have a PS3 and a nice PC my oldest brother has a 360 because his son desperately wanted Halo. Most of us like RPGs and Third Person type games (there is a heated inFAMOUS v. Prototype debate with us right now) FPSs are for the PC only.
We all used to play Monkey Island, Full Throttle and the like back in the day racing to see who could finish it first. (I finished 'the dig' before everyone else!)

Gaming is not based on age anymore. The first generation (That's you Uileand) has grown up and many have kept their games.

 

[Jenova65]

Did I hear someone call for me ;-)
I am 43 (44 next week) And play tons of games on most consoles.

 

[Davey Woo]

My dad is 40-something, (he doesn't have an account here) he likes RPG's, he's played.
The Witcher (I lol'd at Yahtzee's review)
Neverwinter Nights 1, 2 and all expansions.
He's bought fable and Oblivion but hasn't played them yet.

He doesn't like FPS's because they're "too fast"

 

[Garaw]

35 years old. My first fix was Galaxian at a golf course when I was 8 or so. That led to a long crippling addiction to video games and their gateway drug, pen and paper RPGs.

 

[Susan Arendt]

i don't know why 30+ people even game.

there are so much greater things to do. i'm 16 and in Holland that means NO DRIVING!(we are allowed to drink though)

but not being allowed to go long distances without involving my mom or the train,really bothersome.

Uh, because gaming is a lot of fun? What, I can drive, so suddenly I should stop enjoying games? That makes no sense.

 

[Jenova65]

i don't know why 30+ people even game.

there are so much greater things to do. i'm 16 and in Holland that means NO DRIVING!(we are allowed to drink though)

but not being allowed to go long distances without involving my mom or the train,really bothersome.

Uh, because gaming is a lot of fun? What, I can drive, so suddenly I should stop enjoying games? That makes no sense.

This ^ Plus once I have paid for a game I can keep playing it, if I go out I have to keep paying!

Edit, plus I can't drive

 

[fix-the-spade]

The first generation (That's you Uileand) has grown up and many have kept their games.

I think Root will beg to differ...

 

[Halceon]

Not crossing that line anytime soon, but judging by what games i choose, i might as well be a rotting corpse in a mausoleum. One which menaces with spikes of spider silk.

 

[Kill100577]

I know someone in my Kin on LOTRO who is 60

 

[Bitter_one13]

i don't know why 30+ people even game.

there are so much greater things to do. i'm 16 and in Holland that means NO DRIVING!(we are allowed to drink though)

but not being allowed to go long distances without involving my mom or the train,really bothersome.

Uh, because gaming is a lot of fun? What, I can drive, so suddenly I should stop enjoying games? That makes no sense.

Because video games are toys, and adults shouldn't play with toys. At least, that's a view I seem to sense with many people.

 

[walls of cetepedes]

My Dad is nearly 50, and is currently enjoying Gears of War 2.
Which I bought him for his birthday, and damn, was he happy.

He also loves the Call of Duty series, since Finest Hour.

 

[Casual Shinji]

I'll be 30 in a couple months. So I'm not sure if I'm a young'n but I sure feel like an old man here.

My older brothers (who are 31, 34, 37, 40) All love video games. We all got our start because our oldest brother saved up and bought a NES and we all played from there. All but my oldest brother have a PS3 and a nice PC my oldest brother has a 360 because his son desperately wanted Halo. Most of us like RPGs and Third Person type games (there is a heated inFAMOUS v. Prototype debate with us right now) FPSs are for the PC only.
We all used to play Monkey Island, Full Throttle and the like back in the day racing to see who could finish it first. (I finished 'the dig' before everyone else!)

Gaming is not based on age anymore. The first generation (That's you Uileand) has grown up and many have kept their games.

Hey, you're back. How are you feeling? I heard, well read, that you'd been in the hospital.

OT: I'm 27 and that damned 30 is getting closer and closer

 

[geldonyetich]

Why does this 32 (nearly 33) year old game?

Why does anyone's habits grow about an entertaining pursuit?

That said, I am a hell of a lot pickier with 26+ years of gaming experience behind me. Precious few game developers and show me anything without my heckling that I've already seen it before.

I wouldn't say that the average gamer is in their mid-30s. That's silly. It suggests that video games have been around for 70 years, and they haven't.

 

[Susan Arendt]

i don't know why 30+ people even game.

there are so much greater things to do. i'm 16 and in Holland that means NO DRIVING!(we are allowed to drink though)

but not being allowed to go long distances without involving my mom or the train,really bothersome.

Uh, because gaming is a lot of fun? What, I can drive, so suddenly I should stop enjoying games? That makes no sense.

Because video games are toys, and adults shouldn't play with toys. At least, that's a view I seem to sense with many people.

Oh, yeah, I get that a lot, but I stopped caring a while ago. I work very hard at my job, which means I get to spend my free time as I see fit. If that means I want to play with toys, that's my business. (Not that I consider games toys, of course, but you get my drift.)

 

[ace_of_something]

The first generation (That's you Uileand) has grown up and many have kept their games.

I think Root will beg to differ...

I mean a generation that games have existed since they had the motor skills to play them and grew up with them. You are right though, as with all things that's debatable.

 

[rokkolpo]

i don't know why 30+ people even game.

there are so much greater things to do. i'm 16 and in Holland that means NO DRIVING!(we are allowed to drink though)

but not being allowed to go long distances without involving my mom or the train,really bothersome.

Uh, because gaming is a lot of fun? What, I can drive, so suddenly I should stop enjoying games? That makes no sense.

no, but i would.

it's just my personal view, when i'm 18 i wanna go places not stay in my livingroom for hours playing whatever game.

doesn't go up for everyone though.