I guess as I get older, I am concerned about loosing some of my youth. More to the point of this article, my gaming heritage. Right now, I seem to be one of the older people on here, which I am cool with being "
Grey Bush", but it seems to me that there is a missing generation from the "Gamer" scene. The generation right before me. The people that should be in there late 30's to mid 40's. The ones that got to really experience the Arcades in their glory days. The ones who grew up playing on the Atari during its hay day. Gamers that were gaming before the
1983 industry crash.
For me, I started gaming during the downfall of the industry in the early 80's. So I never really felt the effects of it. At the time I was still like, "Oh wow, watch me swing over this Alligator!"
My brothers, who are 8 and 10 years my elder, were gaming way before me. Both played in the Arcades, and we also had an Atari at home. But neither of them would I call a gamer now, well maybe casual gamers, but those really aren't "Gamers". And I have older friends who all seem to have lost their interest in games.
I mean these are the people that schooled me when I was growing up. My mentors, the people I looked up to (I know sad really) as they schooled me in Donkey Kong or Asteroids. How could they just disappear?
My hypothesis is that this "crash" of the industry during the early to mid 80's had a lasting effect on the ones that felt it. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe its just my limited circle of friends/relatives. Maybe it is the disconnect between that generation and the internet (since this is really where I get to meet people with like minded philosophies).
I know that Samit Sakar just covered a story of a
60 year old gamer... but he seems to have found his inner gamer later in life.
Here is the poll on the forums that I ran, trying to get everyones age. As you can see there is no one in there late 30's or older on there (as of this writing). And you can also see there are only a handful of us Grey Bush's there.
So are there any of you out there? If so prove me wrong. If not... does anyone have a good answer as to where they disappeared to?
I just hope I don't disappear too...
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I hear he can kick a Llama's ass.
[img][http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2380864572_b25400b8d7_o.jpg[/img]
Easy, Florida.
Casual games are much maligned, but the learning curve of most hardcore games is just too much for them. They don't get into the systems because they aren't advertised to them, if it can't or isn't explained during a commercial, they aren't going to get exposed to it. (Yeah yeah, TV's poo, we should all be playing games instead, but again; the amount of knowledge on the subject required to build enough excitement needed to get out there and get a game. The only thing most of them know, before I talk to them, is 1) how expensive consoles are and 2) maybe that you can watch blu-ray. It's too much of a time/money investment otherwise.)
GET OFF MY DAMNED LAWN!
Family life is no excuse. 9pm is when the kids are down and playtime begins at our house. For me, playing games is a part of who I am, so no matter how much work I'm doing, locally or traveling, I still play games(DS on the road and at the office, consoles at home). My wife doesn't play(though she will play mario kart), but she knows what it is to me and she's ok with that.
As for consoles being expensive, as old farts are kinda spoiled considering that damned near every system that I played during the 80's and 90's was only 200 bucks and came with a pack-in game.
Glad to see some older gamers here, hopefully there are more, because there are always exceptions to rules.
Damn... I must be irresponsible then...
I got 2 kids, and a job, and I find time for it all. I guess it depends on where your priorities are (or if your a man-child like me).
I don't watch much TV anymore. Maybe I make up some time there.
Also, aren't the old farts able to afford more now? I mean I have a job and can afford to buy things that I want. Compared to when I was young and relied on my parents for everything.
@digtastik
Well said sir... well said.
Craineum it's great to here that you still game though. It's even greater to hear you are passing on your love for gaming to your kids. I only hope that when I'm you age my gaming is still going strong like you. You are a role model to us all and for that I salute you!!!
99% of those people don't know how to use computers (except for Microsoft Word and Solitare), so they can't tell anyone they exist.
Sorry about that...
Then games stopped being what they were in the 70's and early 80's (non linear, pick up and destroy the scoreboard games), and he lost interest. I don't blame him, really, I'm losing interest myself, and starting to focus more on creating my own stuff.
@RockVillian: That is cool that you had a dad that would play video games. I would have enjoyed that. I hope to do that with mine. And I completely understand doing your own thing. But no matter what I, even if I was developing, I would still play games. I have spells where I play less, and some where I play too much, maybe that is what you are going through?