Is there such a thing as "growing out" of gaming?

[Manji187]

On the face of it, sure, sounds about right.

But was there really hype in the past (90's) of the Skyrim/ Mass Effect 3 variety/ intensity? There may have been moderate excitement, but I don't believe there was this kind of batshit collective insanity.

As for crap, today's crap can be polished graphically and refined in gameplay, but still complete and utter crap in the writing department (narrative and characters). Still gets gulped down like it's chocolate though.

That's another thing that comes with age: higher standards.

Captcha: little bird told me

the internet wasnt as big as it was back in the 90's, if it had been there would have been just as much hype as their was now.

True, but it just proves my point. Hype levels were lower in the past.

Also, a hypothetical alternative timeline is only appealing in the abstract: that's not how history went in real life.

 

[DoomyMcDoom]

I game less than I used to, but I don't see anything wrong with gaming from time to time, so I don't think it's something you grow out of, more that you might grow into other hobbies/interests more, and maybe run out of time for gaming... I mean I think my steam games list will point out to a pretty solid extent that I game... but at the same time the number of recently clocked hours ingame will tell you just how much I play on average nowadays, a bit more recently due to a fractured elbow, not much else to do right now... but yeah, my time is mainly taken up with women, work, and other hobbies.

 

[asacatman]

Well a lot of AAA games are very immature, especially if you compare them to similarly lauded movies or books. But there are great games that are suitable for an adult, even if that adult has sworn off anything that is intellectually unstimulating.

But that seems kind of a dumb attitude. I'll always play some stupid shooter or escapist fantasy like Skyrim just to relax after work or whatever. (I'm projecting here, I'm too young to have a job.)

But I'm sure some people can't be bothered to track down worthwhile games and grow out of the medium. Makes sense to me.

 

[Bluelaughter]

Once I got a girlfriend, my gaming time went way down. No longer had the time for an MMO. Still bought games, with the intention that I would 'get to it when I had the time.' Now, I'm way behind on games. I'm only going through San Andreas now.

I don't think I'm the type to grow out of games, but I definitely don't have time for much gaming now.

 

[HardkorSB]

Some people seem to stop gaming regularly somewhere in their twenties, either because they feel that they've grown out of it or just don't have enough time. Despite this, the average age of gamers is supposedly something like 30 now. Being realistic, do you think it's a timeless hobby regardless of age, or do you see yourself eventually "moving on"?

I will always be a gamer. To me, it's definitely not something that you become too old to do. Even if I had a full-time job and a family I would still find time to play regularly. I find it unfortunate that some people still associate games with immaturity and childishness.

For many people, games are just toys (that's what they were for a long time, the "deep" games came much later) and, like you grow out of playing with toy cars and action figures (some people don't but most do anyway), you grow out of playing games.
Also, for a lot of people, games (and playing in general) are just a tool to interact with other people (I'm in that category). When you get older, new ways to interact with them pop up and replace the old ones.

Another thing, intimate relationships. Once you get into that, games just don't do it for you anymore.

 

[Palademon]

My interest has definitely taken a weird turn.

I still play a LOT of games...but my attention span for games has dried up a little. I buy heaps of games and then barely play them.

Yep...doesn't help that I have money now...

I currently own two Pokemon games where I haven't gotten passed the third gym.
A while ago I borrowed fallout 3 from my brother, barely did anything, and bought New Vegas Ultimate Edition last weekend.
I'm nowhere in FFXIII-2 (I didn't even finish the first one), NeverDead, The Last story, Persona 3 Portable, FFIX, and Skyward Sword.
For some reason I stopped playing Xenoblade Chronicles. When I actually managed to get back to the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, I came to a new difficulty curve with MGS3 and am stuck, and yet I bought MGS4 from GAME for 48p using my points.

Edit: Oh yeah, El Shaddai and Dead Rising 2 as well.

 

[Phasmal]

Once I got a girlfriend, my gaming time went way down. No longer had the time for an MMO. Still bought games, with the intention that I would 'get to it when I had the time.' Now, I'm way behind on games. I'm only going through San Andreas now.

I don't think I'm the type to grow out of games, but I definitely don't have time for much gaming now.

Wow, do we take up so much time? lol

I thought at some point I had `grown out` of gaming, but really I had just got sick of some of the shit in our community. I always come back. It's just a personal way of unwinding, I'm 21 now and I don't see myself changing, but I guess it could always happen.

Another thing, intimate relationships. Once you get into that, games just don't do it for you anymore.

I disagree. Especially if your intimate partner is a gamer too, just makes it more fun.

 

[Substitute Troll]

It's as stupid as saying "I've grown out of movies" or books etc, imo. I guess you can stop enjoying it, but growing out of? pfft.

 

[ms_sunlight]

Another thing, intimate relationships. Once you get into that, games just don't do it for you anymore.

Hmm. I'm sure my husband would love it were that true.

37 years old.

Gamer for 30 years. (First remember playing games when my dad got a ZX81, plus I got a Donkey Kong Game & Watch for Christmas the year it came out and was besotted.)

With the same bloke since 1995.

Still losing absurd amounts of my life to games. Having no kids helps!

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Necro! Prehaps you thought it was a live thread cause the old stuff was also in March, but its a 3 year old thread. I wonder if any of the users here grew out of gaming?