gamers and age - question inside

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH TETRIS? It is the perfect puzzle game.shadow_hosi

because you matured, got older. Splinter Cell games have a more "realistic" approach, hence why you like it better than fantasy colorful games that are designed to mostly attract a young audience.

a game doesnt need story, graphics and audio to be good. minecraft is little more thna a giant 28-bit 3d sandbox. yet its the msot sold indie game of all time.

tetris is incredibly simple yet incredibly difficult. and the fact that it does what it sets out to do so well is why its been a hit all this time. i still play tetris on my gba. best GD game ever.

the only game of that kind that I can still play as an adult is Super Mario, because it's greatly made, has basically no story and it's mostly about your ability to make it to the next level, overcoming the obstacles/puzzles. it's got very simplistic elements, especially the 2d mario games, great music, great humor, great artstyle and great mechanics.

Time...

A 34 year old man with a wife and kids dont have the time to spend 4 hours playing skyrim just to grind a skill by a point. Tetris can provide that instant satisfaction, you can get a sense of accomplishment in 10 minutes.

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

Metroid_Other_M

I think you are pushing it a bit in your game choices, but I know where you are coming from. It is priorities, really. For example: I tend to stay away from really long games as there just isn't enough time. I'm still yet to beat Mario Galaxy--but it is great in that you can pick it up, play it for a bit, and accomplish something in game. The story is also very open ended--where you don't get lost from taking extended breaks.

This is why games like Uncharted are being made. More mature subject matter and storytelling in a 6 to 8 hour package. I did beat that one in 2 or 3 days.

Oddly enough, I invested 80+ hours into Twilight Princess this past year--very unlike me in this day and age. I suppose it says something about Nintendo.

[QUOTE="Metroid_Other_M"]

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

Heirren

I think you are pushing it a bit in your game choices, but I know where you are coming from. It is priorities, really. For example: I tend to stay away from really long games as there just isn't enough time. I'm still yet to beat Mario Galaxy--but it is great in that you can pick it up, play it for a bit, and accomplish something in game. The story is also very open ended--where you don't get lost from taking extended breaks.

This is why games like Uncharted are being made. More mature subject matter and storytelling in a 6 to 8 hour package. I did beat that one in 2 or 3 days.

Oddly enough, I invested 80+ hours into Twilight Princess this past year--very unlike me in this day and age. I suppose it says something about Nintendo.

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

[QUOTE="Metroid_Other_M"]

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

ionusX

I think you are pushing it a bit in your game choices, but I know where you are coming from. It is priorities, really. For example: I tend to stay away from really long games as there just isn't enough time. I'm still yet to beat Mario Galaxy--but it is great in that you can pick it up, play it for a bit, and accomplish something in game. The story is also very open ended--where you don't get lost from taking extended breaks.

This is why games like Uncharted are being made. More mature subject matter and storytelling in a 6 to 8 hour package. I did beat that one in 2 or 3 days.

Oddly enough, I invested 80+ hours into Twilight Princess this past year--very unlike me in this day and age. I suppose it says something about Nintendo.

Then what is the point? I've never been into MMOs.

[QUOTE="ionusX"]

[QUOTE="Heirren"]

I think you are pushing it a bit in your game choices, but I know where you are coming from. It is priorities, really. For example: I tend to stay away from really long games as there just isn't enough time. I'm still yet to beat Mario Galaxy--but it is great in that you can pick it up, play it for a bit, and accomplish something in game. The story is also very open ended--where you don't get lost from taking extended breaks.

This is why games like Uncharted are being made. More mature subject matter and storytelling in a 6 to 8 hour package. I did beat that one in 2 or 3 days.

Oddly enough, I invested 80+ hours into Twilight Princess this past year--very unlike me in this day and age. I suppose it says something about Nintendo.

Heirren

Then what is the point? I've never been into MMOs.

the same reason why I don't watch many cartoons anymore. Ratche tand Clank is very child-themed. it's normal to grow up.

Super Mario is different, because it's simple to understand, yet it provides challenges in each of its worlds which can attract both children and adults. So, while a child may think that looma's and starbits are so pretty/cool, adults may also think or not think that, but that wouldn't turn tem off playing the game, because the game provides all sorts of challenges for any age.

I've always wondered HOW COME Super Mario can also attract an adult audience. what's the magic behind it? I really cannot understand that, what's the elements of this franchice that let people of any age play this game.

I've always wondered HOW COME Super Mario can also attract an adult audience. what's the magic behind it? I really cannot understand that, what's the elements of this franchice that let people of any age play this game.

bandicoot89

I still play hardcore games, but I never have time to finish any of them anymore. Life gets in the way the older you get, for casual adults I can imagine that they couldn't even fathom taking the time to figure out more complex games (that and most people are completely stupid to begin with).

I'm 22 and I love hardcore games. Casual games suck.

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

Metroid_Other_M

Wii Sports Boxing can be quite fun (hilarious even) to watch especially when one of your drunk friends try to play it. :lol:

As for complex games..... Feh. I've played (and still do) some of the most complex games on the PC before many here were even born.

People nowadays (especially casual adults) prefer a game that can be experienced during their commute. That's why simplistic games are prefered, because it's pick and go.

Now on a personal level, I still love fantasy games with surreal settings, as long it's a good game. I guess it depends on the person.

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

Metroid_Other_M

Time investment and nostalgia spring to mind. "Casual" games allow people to jump in and out as they please - they don't have to worry about plot or leveling and are very accessible to beginners. Games can be completed in 10 minutes or so on a journey or during a break and before you get on with the work you're trying to put off. "Proper" games don't often allow that sort of minimal time investment.

Most gaming I do involves typical titles on the PC. But every once in a while I'll give Fruit Ninja a go on my phone just to fill in some time during a lunch break or see if I can crack my previous high score.

I've always wondered HOW COME Super Mario can also attract an adult audience. what's the magic behind it? I really cannot understand that, what's the elements of this franchice that let people of any age play this game.

bandicoot89

The same thing that makes any game fantastic. Perfect controlls, well crafted and clever level design, and a challenge for those looking for it. It's more surprising to find someone who does not enjoy a Mario game.

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

Metroid_Other_M

I've noticed the opposite. I'm 36, and most of my peers who play games play things such as Company of Heroes, World in Conflict, IL2: Sturmovik, Warcraft 3, LoL, etc. The only adults I know with consoles have them primarily for their children.

Its no different than gamers who like COD or BF3 or Dark Souls or Skyrim. Gamers play what they like. We all have opinions.

How old you talking? Maybe because they come from a non-gaming generation. I think if you're in your 20s to 30s then gaming has been a part of your life since a young age, older people not so much.SaltyMeatballs

why are adults attracted by games like Wii Sports, Tetris, Angry Birds etc.. and not by say Ratchet and Clank? just an example.

I've been wondering why adults, especially casual adults, seem to like simple games a la tetris, boom blox, cut the rope and so on, but they are reluctant to play more complex games?

Metroid_Other_M

Got to love sweeping generalisations.

Just to throw a spanner in the works. I'm 42, married with 4 year old twins, work full time and own 2 dogs, a house, a car and a high end gaming rig (I have a Wii and an xbox 360 as well but they're for the kids and casual nonsense when we have friends round). My PC is mostly used for gaming but I haven't played Tetris for many, many, years (nothing wrong with Tetris btw).

I'm 26 and i still like "childish" games like Super Mario. I think it has to do with free time, i mean despite loving JRPGs, in this last 2 weeks i've been able to play only 5 hours of Xenoblade Chronicles but that doesn't mean i only love casual games, also, Tetris is awesome.

IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH TETRIS? It is the perfect puzzle game.shadow_hosi

pfft Meteos is better ;).

Anybody that associates any age group with any form of media is just being totally stupid. They all have suggested and targeted audiences, but everyone is different and everything has exceptions.

Trying to lock groups in and out of different types of media is disingenuous and shameful.

adults are comfortable with who they are... can enjoy what they want with out giving a **** if its kool and mature

Not every adult is like that. I am 21 but really loved Ratchet and Clank. I tried Angry Birds for 30 minutes but never played it again. I think your statement may be more toward middle aged adults since they lack the time to enjoy games.Mr_Cumberdale

I am adult as they come, at 51 yrs i own every console and have two gaming PC's and 3DS and Vita as well. I try to keep up with all the genres. In terms of childish or kiddy looking games i guess it comes down to presentation, its a fine line. I will play a Mario game, but not a Spyro the Dragon type game. Little Big Planet is fine too, but not Pokemon or anything to do with Japanese anime. Now games like Cut the Rope and Angry Birds transcend any age barrier.

I can play Angry Birds and Pinball Arcade when i need a quick fun game, or i can sink into BF3 online or Dirt 3 at night. Try as i might, i can not get into lenghty RPG games like Witcher 2 or Skyrim. I buy them, though it is a waste of money for me. Suprisingly, the game i spend the most time with during the week is the newest Tiger Woods game on PS3 with the Move controllers.