Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

[C the Lyte]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

Having less time to play is more of the problem. I remember sitting in front of my tv for hours when the first Grand Theft Auto came out. I can't do that anymore. I'm lucky if I get a chance to play for 2 hours a day. It used to be more like 8 - 10 hours a day. But, with a fiance, trying to plan a wedding, work, working out, I just don't have the time anymore.

I will say this though. The day I stop playing video games will be a sad day for me. My fiance on the other hand would love nothing more than for me to give it up.

HAHA. Jokes on her. Nobody likes quiters!!!:wink:

I was in this position earlier this year. It's a balancing act with free time, gaming, and social/family life. Sometimes you do just out grow games, something more interesting or more improtant comes along. With a wife now I don't play NEARLY as much as I used to. And whenever we start a family, I won't have as much time as I do now!!! It's just prioritizing. My wife, house maintanance, and eventually kids will always come before play games. However, free time will definitely get game devotion!!! I also purchased a second TV so I can watch movies, shows, Sportcenter, etc. and still play. Sad but hey, it works out great for me!!!

Good luck with everything. We didn't live together before we got married, so it was one hell of an adjustment period. Congrats though.

[stewaat]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I'm definitely slowing down by choice. I have free time but no longer feel the need to pick up the controller. Maybe I just need a game to make me want to do that.

I still play though, but maybe every other day for an hour.

[Phobia]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I look at it like this. When I was in my teenage and college days. Things were different. My schedule was different and made gaming harder than now. I would wake up, head to class. Get home, work out, start drinking and get ready to go out and get trashed. Do it all again the next day. I had very little time for gaming and spent little time doing it.

As I got older things in my routine changed with age. So instead of going get trashed all the time and picking up women. I now have a good job, a girlfriend with a excellent job, a house, and important things. So I go to work and then come home and relax with the girlfriend. This leaves much more time to jump on a system and game for a hour or so a night.

I hate watching TV so I play video games. That gives my girl her time to watch her girly shows. Then 7 or 8pm we might put on a movie from netflix and wind down for the night.

By no means am I out growing gaming. If anything it is a key part of my life. It is a great way to pass the time and is just as entertaining as watching a big budget movie. Plus it keeps me home and being a good boy

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I haven't outgrown games yet, but with my schedule that I can't play them like I used. Sports games this year have to a degree turned me off due to a lot of bugs and bugs that should have been cleared up. I started playing Madden again a few weeks ago and I am just awaiting for The Show 10 as my next sports title. I have been mainly sticking with games that offer a nice storyline and rich gameplay.

[Jgainsey]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I hate watching TV so I play video games. That gives my girl her time to watch her girly shows. Then 7 or 8pm we might put on a movie from netflix and wind down for the night.

That's pretty much how it works for me as well. Aside from sports and a select few tv shows, I hardly ever watch tv. So I usually get most of my gaming in when my girlfriend is getting her reality tv fix in, or while I'm hanging out with my buds.

[Pete1210]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

By no means am I out growing gaming. If anything it is a key part of my life. It is a great way to pass the time and is just as entertaining as watching a big budget movie. Plus it keeps me home and being a good boy

Its a good hobby for a married guy. I'm 48 and have been gaming at home for about 10 years. Right now it doesn't feel like I'll ever completely lose interest. Over the years I've developed a nice network of friends on xbox live, so there is also a social aspect to it.

My oldest son (19) actually got me into console gaming and now he lost interest. But my 10 year old and I were playing some Lego Indiana Jones and Mario Super Bros. Wii this weekend.

[Jasong7777]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

31 years old and I am never going to stop gaming. I'm a Gamer dammit!!

Because of my job and girlfriend, I can't game like I used to. But i'm quick to tell my girlfriend, "Look me and Shepard have to say the world, while playing Mass Effect. LOL

She understands. She knows how crazy I am.

[BlackNGold]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

38 and I'll always be a gamer. We've got every next gen system and several last gen (PS3,2-XB360,Wii,PS2,XBox). We also still have a Dreamcast, N64 and a Sega Saturn. Still have a lot of love for those old systems.

But like others have said, there's just not as much time to play anymore. I've got a wife, 3 boys (ages 10, 8, and 1), coaching in their various sports, more demanding job, house and vehicles to take care of. My wife doesn't mind it because she'd rather have me at home sitting in front of the tv gaming than out with the guys drinking and what not. I can usually get in a hour or 2 at night before going to bed. I used to mainly be a sports and rpg gamer but then CoD4 came along and now I love FPS.

The kids' big gifts this year are their own 360, 32" LCD and a decent Toshiba Laptop I got an Microcenter which they will also likely game on. Yup, I'm helping raise another generation of gamers.

(http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0323835 if interested and your near a Microcenter. Really not a bad laptop and you can't tell its refurbished. Like brand new)

[jeremym480]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I look at it like this. When I was in my teenage and college days. Things were different. My schedule was different and made gaming harder than now. I would wake up, head to class. Get home, work out, start drinking and get ready to go out and get trashed. Do it all again the next day. I had very little time for gaming and spent little time doing it.

As I got older things in my routine changed with age. So instead of going get trashed all the time and picking up women. I now have a good job, a girlfriend with a excellent job, a house, and important things. So I go to work and then come home and relax with the girlfriend. This leaves much more time to jump on a system and game for a hour or so a night.

I hate watching TV so I play video games. That gives my girl her time to watch her girly shows. Then 7 or 8pm we might put on a movie from netflix and wind down for the night.

By no means am I out growing gaming. If anything it is a key part of my life. It is a great way to pass the time and is just as entertaining as watching a big budget movie. Plus it keeps me home and being a good boy

I completely agree with this post. I am 30 and I play way more games now than I did when I was in my 20s. Mainly because when I was in my 20's I spent the majority of my time on chasing tail and drunken debauchery. Now, I have a serious girlfriend, who I live with and I rarely drink. So, I actually have much more gaming time and I think it great. It also helps the ole wallet, as well. Because when I was in my 20's I could easily spend $60+ going out on any random week night. So now I don't really complain when I spend $60 on a sports game that I usually grow tired of after a month or two (tops).

[Phobia]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I completely agree with this post. I am 30 and I play way more games now than I did when I was in my 20s. Mainly because when I was in my 20's I spent the majority of my time on chasing tail and drunken debauchery. Now, I have a serious girlfriend, who I live with and I rarely drink. So, I actually have much more gaming time and I think it great. It also helps the ole wallet, as well. Because when I was in my 20's I could easily spend $60+ going out on any random week night. So now I don't really complain when I spend $60 on a sports game that I usually grow tired of after a month or two (tops).

Damn jeremy you just brought up a very good point. I would hit the club and could easily spend $100+ on buying shots, mixed drinks, and so on. I would go out 3-5 days a week back in college so I was blowing through money like it was water.

Now that I am older, making more money, and have a stable relationship. I am saving a lot of money. All while staying home, playing a video game.

Now I don't feel so bad about all my games I bought this year. Thanks for relieving some guilt lol

[Jukeman]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

No, I dont think a gamer outgrows games...Its just time and priorities..


Before buying a 360, I went a year and a half without gaming(Bought games buy was just too busy to sit down and enjoy them)

now I enjoy gaming as much as I did when I was 13..

[Bighoff]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

Like a lot of other have said, it's not that you outgrow gaming it's that other things in life become more of a priority. I was like 5 when I started playing an Atari and I've been a gamer ever sense. I would like to think that when I have a family I'll still have time to play video games. The ultimate for me would be as a grandpa beating my grandkids in video games, playing madden 2040 telling them "That cheese play ain't gonna work here boy."

[23]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

If you're ignoring outside factors such as lack of time, then I think if you're feeling unsatisfied with gaming, it's more likely that the reason is because you're hungry for something different.

I know for me, I've completely burned out with sports games. If I only played sports games then I would be done with video games.

Someone who only likes FPS titles may feel that a lot of the newer ones are just the same games with better graphics. Many will say that's not true, but I'm sure there are people out there that feel it is true.

So I think it depends on your range. I was able to switch over from sports games to FPS and 3PS games with ease. If you're finding that you can't find excitement in the genres you enjoy, then you're bound to feel as if you've passed the need to game.

Thats almost exactly it to a tee.

Its just weird having a spare time interest and you dont even remotely enjoy it. COD MW2 was cool, but it was short. Sports games have done themselves in. Either no innovation or just straight up crap they throw out now with the exception of a few things done well.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

Thats almost exactly it to a tee.

Its just weird having a spare time interest and you dont even remotely enjoy it. COD MW2 was cool, but it was short. Sports games have done themselves in. Either no innovation or just straight up crap they throw out now with the exception of a few things done well.

Did you try MW2 online? It's endless on there, I could kill 3-4 hours and not even realize it.

[Chizzypoof]

Re: Outgrowing gaming: How do you recognize it??

I think I recognized that I may never outgrow gaming. I really thought about that a month ago.

I'm 32 and when friends call, they know when I am playing a game. My conversations are usually, "Uh -huh, uh-huh, ok, yeah...ill see you there."

Then it's "Damn it dude...what are you playing?"

Even with family, friends, house upkeep, job. One of my main avenues of escape is gaming. I don't think it will ever change. If it does, it will most likely be from dementia.