Do you feel that you will ever grow out of gaming?

Im sixteen, and ive been around games for as long as i can possibly remember. my father was always playing games, he was on a 60 pound a week habit during the megadrive days lol.

But as ive grown more mature, ive been able to look at games in a different way. for me games go deeper than just fun. they are distraction, theyre a journey, theyre wonderful stories just waiting for me to pick and involve myself with them (the best are anyway).

because ive developed this love of games and gaming, i dont think i will ever "grow out" of games, i think theyre hear to stay, as digital media, as stories, maybe even art eventually. and 2bh, im happy with that.

This thought occurred to me a few days ago as I reflected on my own gaming through the years. I know I've been gaming ever since the Atari console and Atari/Commadore computers ruled the day and that it was my dad who got me hooked on it all. Now I'm 29, married, have a toddler running loose, mortgage, car-payments, etc... that adds up to little money and little time to game. Despite all this, I still feel as adamant about gaming as I did when I was little. And even though gaming continues to skyrocket in terms of cost, I'm quite certain I will never "grow out of" gaming. Has anyone else even made this connection or felt the same way? I'm curious since I remember back in the 8-bit and 16-bit days a lot of parents, talk shows and even news media stated that "video games were just a habit that children would surely grow out of with time." I don't feel it and from years of looking through Gamespot I highly doubt anyone else here will either. But I'd like to hear it from everyone else; help convince me I'm not crazy and that this IS a shared commonality between many adults, young adults, teenagers and children moving ever closer to "adulthood." Do you think you will ever "grow out of" gaming?smadiso1

I don't think I will, but this has been the first year since I've gotten into gaming where I've had far less interest in it. I've been spending money on other things and I've spent a lot less time gaming. I think this more to do with how (for me) most of this year has had games that havn't really grabbed me...my Wii and 360 havnt been played that much. From August onwards though, I should be back in the swing of things.

I don't see myself buying a PS3 for a year or two though, and if you told me back when the PS2 came out that I wouldnt buy a PS3 at launch, I would probably think you're crazy.

I don't think I'll ever grow out of gaming. I've been gaming since I was little kid, and always have a passion for it. The games story fuels my passion for games, and the fun that can be had with games. I've been a gamer all my life, and hitting 23 my love for games haven't diminished-- I'd say it's skyrocketed. Perhaps what I love most about games is the ability to go on any adventure you want too-- you want to go through a creepy village in Spain(RE4) and battle hordes of Ganados, or go to another world and battle the Covenant, or visit Mushroom Kingdom.

The adventures are limitless, and your imagination knows no boundaries. That's why I'll never grow out of gaming.

soon ill be 23...

and i don't think so..

when we grow up, we have many other things to do so cannot play games as ever.

I'm 23 and still gaming. And no I dont see myself giving up on games.

This thought occurred to me a few days ago as I reflected on my own gaming through the years. I know I've been gaming ever since the Atari console and Atari/Commadore computers ruled the day and that it was my dad who got me hooked on it all. Now I'm 29, married, have a toddler running loose, mortgage, car-payments, etc... that adds up to little money and little time to game. Despite all this, I still feel as adamant about gaming as I did when I was little. And even though gaming continues to skyrocket in terms of cost, I'm quite certain I will never "grow out of" gaming. Has anyone else even made this connection or felt the same way? I'm curious since I remember back in the 8-bit and 16-bit days a lot of parents, talk shows and even news media stated that "video games were just a habit that children would surely grow out of with time." I don't feel it and from years of looking through Gamespot I highly doubt anyone else here will either. But I'd like to hear it from everyone else; help convince me I'm not crazy and that this IS a shared commonality between many adults, young adults, teenagers and children moving ever closer to "adulthood." Do you think you will ever "grow out of" gaming?smadiso1

You may stray from gaming with all of those distractions...but the money situation will even out, the toddler will grow and soon get you back into gaming.

No fear my friend. It will all even out in the end.

People do change their priorities in life over time. My gaming, video game and otherwise, has been in cycles. I play Magic : The Gathering casully, and I stopped playing that for 6 years (although that had more to do with friends who played, which is less of an issue in video gaming). For a few years video gaming was also mostly nonexistent for me.

When you use the word gamer, I don't apply it to just video games. As such, I've never stopped playing games of some form or other. I'd like to know how many video gamers are also just generally gamers, playing games in non-digital formats as well.

I saw myself slowly growing out of it. But there are bursts of inspirations that keep me going. Lately, PC gaming has been getting me into it again. Before that was the DS.

I think eventually I'll faze out, but the good thing is that the franchises that I will always love will never be something I'll get tired of. Games like Zelda, real-time strategy games, puzzles, and some FPSs will keep me interested. RPGs have been fading away for me but certain titles ignite the flame again. Dragon Quest IX is one of those.

I ever think I will grow out of game. Otherwise, games make me young and smart.

I'd like to know how many video gamers are also just generally gamers, playing games in non-digital formats as well.

bacchus2

That's interesting you mention gaming in a more inclusive manner like this. I know my parents started me off with board games (like candyland) even before the original atari system came into our house. So maybe love of games starts even before we touch a controller...except for my daughter who already runs screaming through the house maddly punching buttons on a controller I gave her. She's well on her way to being a gamer, though I will likely continue the family tradition and pull out board games first as an intro. If you include playing cards in the same thinking of gaming, I know my grandfather still plays cards and he's nearly 90. While the preferred 'platform' may change, gaming definitely has been a long standing tradition in my family so it may be near impossible for me to ever grow out of it. Thanks for all the shared comments btw. I was glad to see so many fellow gamers share the same thinking I do. I'll keep checking back on this board to read any more stories that show up!

Not unless something that i like more comes out, right now entertainment wise gameing for me is #1.

Grow out of it? Doubt it.

But my gaming tastes and focus have shifted, though. Sometimes I go through periods where I only care about one game for months. I still may be playing a fair amount, but it's just the same game. Other times, I plow through many games in a short period of time. I also tend to be far more discriminating now...

Im sixteen, and ive been around games for as long as i can possibly remember. my father was always playing games, he was on a 60 pound a week habit during the megadrive days lol.

PMC11

I'm surprised your dad had enough time to spread his seed to even make you:o