I feel it happening to me it just seems the progressive thing that happens with more and more time being taken up by work and family those amounts of free time I would have given gaming seem more important to use on other things.
When do people stop being gamers?
- Thread starter brettskibols
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You never stop "being a gamer" unless, say, you become literally addicted to games and like an alcoholic you have to abstain from gaming from then on.
The statistics that the average age of a "gamer" is 35 supports this. Those people who started gaming back in the 80s are still gaming today. Sure, they might not spend all thier time on the games anymore, more out of a logistical issue than an issue of willing, but last time I checked there wasn't a minimum "Hours Per Week" you had to put in to be classified as a gamer.
So, yeah, once a gamer, always a gamer. Just a gamer with added responsibilities.
The statistics that the average age of a "gamer" is 35 supports this. Those people who started gaming back in the 80s are still gaming today. Sure, they might not spend all thier time on the games anymore, more out of a logistical issue than an issue of willing, but last time I checked there wasn't a minimum "Hours Per Week" you had to put in to be classified as a gamer.
So, yeah, once a gamer, always a gamer. Just a gamer with added responsibilities.
I stopped when I had a live in boyfriend who complained I spent to much time playing video games and would rather me sit on the couch next to him and watch TV. BORING!
We broke up, and I went back. I'm an adult, I've got work and school, I've got friends, and I still have time. I compare it to people watching TV. I'd rather have that interactive element. Besides, how many TV shows are there about post-apoc sandboxes.
We broke up, and I went back. I'm an adult, I've got work and school, I've got friends, and I still have time. I compare it to people watching TV. I'd rather have that interactive element. Besides, how many TV shows are there about post-apoc sandboxes.
When one stops caring about the medium as a whole.
In my book, it is not playtime or a certain catalogue of played games that makes one a gamer, it's having a certain passion about the videogame as a medium.
With passion I don't mean being completely obsessed by it, but just a certain amount of care about developments in the industry, new releases, that sort of thing.
Following that definition, someone who only has 2 hours a week to spare to actually play games but still often reads up on the news is a gamer, but a housewife who just plays Peggle and Farmville to kill time is not a gamer.
Plus, isn't playing videogames together a lot more fun than watching TV together? Wouldn't that strengthen the bond a lot more?
In my book, it is not playtime or a certain catalogue of played games that makes one a gamer, it's having a certain passion about the videogame as a medium.
With passion I don't mean being completely obsessed by it, but just a certain amount of care about developments in the industry, new releases, that sort of thing.
Following that definition, someone who only has 2 hours a week to spare to actually play games but still often reads up on the news is a gamer, but a housewife who just plays Peggle and Farmville to kill time is not a gamer.
I don't get that either. My folks keep wanting me to get downstairs with them and keep telling me how mind-numbing videogames are, blah blah blah, but still want me to watch TV with them. And if anything is mind-numbing, it's that Idols/X-Factor crap they watch. At least I actually do[/i[ something while playing games, I'm actively involved.Doctor VonSexMachine said:
Plus, isn't playing videogames together a lot more fun than watching TV together? Wouldn't that strengthen the bond a lot more?
Responsibilities play a large part in why people give up gaming. A new job, extra studying, relationships can all effect gameplay. I find myself playing my DS more than my PC or consoles simply for the fact that I can take it anywhere, on a train going in to work or to meet someone, waiting for someone or just playing with mates. I still pick up the controller here and there but I haven't finished a game on a console in a while. I'm hopefully going to stay a gamer, relationships will affect gameplay but I doubt I'd date a non-nerd so I'm sure the fact that I play games wouldn't bother them. Lack of money also plays a part. Especially when you have a partner and/or kids. They might not stop you from playing but the money spent going out with them (meals, presents, etc) and the time spent out on dates will make your gaming life suffer. Most people either don't see this or don't mind. During my relationships, I haven't minded and I've loved the times when we've played games together. Often it can make a relationship stronger and more fun. That being said, I have a number of friends that have stopped gaming because of partners. A friend's ex had a huge issue with gamers and disliked him playing WoW when she was at work. She took on more work because of this so he played more to keep himself entertained when she was out and so she took on even more work and the big vicious circle ruined the relationship. However, nowadays he has more time and less stress about gaming and we've played games together which I've really enjoyed. Another friend just didn't have the money for a big console so played his DS because his kids and wife bought it for him for his birthday.
For me, it's a lack of money and time. I play L5R, a CCG, every Tuesday and Friday night and work during the week. I'm also pretty broke which is another reason why I more play handhelds. I can play going to the CCG night or in-between games. And games are a lot cheaper so I expect as long as their are handhelds I will always play them, even if I don't play on consoles or more likely, PC's.
For me, it's a lack of money and time. I play L5R, a CCG, every Tuesday and Friday night and work during the week. I'm also pretty broke which is another reason why I more play handhelds. I can play going to the CCG night or in-between games. And games are a lot cheaper so I expect as long as their are handhelds I will always play them, even if I don't play on consoles or more likely, PC's.
I'm a wife and mom, 27 now, been a "gamer" since I was 9 lol. If you love playing games you will find the time, some people just ahhh "grow" out of gaming. ~shrugs~ now please hardcore peeps don't shout me down with the "then they were never true gamers in the first place" crap
In my experience, people stop being gamers when they start thinking that they're "too old" to play games for whatever reason (typically young adults with new responsibilities, or emotionally immature adults who never developed a proper "role" in life), and thus they quit gaming altogether. I've known quite a few people like this. Remember: a hobby is a hobby, and time spent doing something you enjoy is never time wasted. As long as you practice moderation there's no need to quit doing what you love, IMO. I'll always be a gamer myself, casual or otherwise.
Thats a pretty good answer I think thats probably the biggest reason for stopping. I'll always try to play games when I can as I love them on many platforms but the truth is there are more important things for me now.Manji187 said: