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[B][SIZE="5"]Stop discriminating against young sports gamers [/SIZE][/B]

I'm 32 years old.

My very first experience with a sports videogame was Tecmo Bowl. I can assume that most of us here used this game a springboard into the wonderful world of sports gaming that was soon to follow.

Over the years I would go on to play numerous titles. These games did alot for me as a sports fan. They helped me to learn the sports I loved. I learned about formations, players, history and how to actually play the sport.

I wouldnt say that these games were a substitute for actually playing in real life, they were just compliments. I already played here and there, in real life. The games just helped to boost my interest.

The point of this blog is that there was never a time then, where some adult told me "Hey little Johnny, you shouldnt be playing this game you are too young" (my name isnt Johnny but you get what Im saying)

There was none of that sort of nonsense, so it baffles me in 2014, that all of sudden now my peers are bemoaning kids who want to play these games and companies who are trying to get them onboard.

Everyone has to start somewhere and you cant help when you were born. I realize these games are much more detailed and hardcore as compared to the earliest games in the late 80s and 90s, but these kids are alot more advanced at their ages then we were with this sort of thing now.

I remember getting Joe Montana Sports Talk II for Christmas. My dad was sure that I wouldnt know how to play the game so he hid if from me at first. He was wrong. Not only did I figure out the game but I flourished.

This game helped me get into becoming a deep fan of the NFL. I was somewhat aware of the players, for example I knew Detroit had this really fast runningback and everyone knew about the 49ers.

:drink:

We have to remember where we came from. If you are in your 30s or late 20s, then you were also a "Little Johnny" at one point. You also had to find your way. There are more little johnnies playing these games then us.

People gripe about sports games having tutorials as well. Hello, did you know what a 3-4 defense or a 2-3 zone was at 9 years old?!. I dont think so , and I have no problem with any game teaching a kid about what these things are.

I was taught so why shouldnt they get taught. I think its awesome. Let these kids experience these things.

If companies want to market to these kids too, then so be it. Why wouldnt they? What sense would it make to run a business and exclude a demographic just to appease another? It doesnt.

Look, I know you are old, jaded, and cynical. Sometimes I am too, however that young kid isnt yet.

I know these kids arent going to play the game we way want them too. I didnt either back in the day. In Joe Montana I would do laps around the field with the fastest back before I scored lol. Eventually I learned to play games the right way but I was 9 then. It happens.

The bottom line is, lets relax on them. Kids deserve to play these games too and hopefully it will help them learn the sports and encourage them to become hardcore fans and gamers.

..but first you have to crawl before you walk. :drink:

TheRealHST