I’ve been telling people forever that I’ll be playing videogames until the day I die. Of course, we all make promises to ourselves -- things we’re absolutely sure of at the time -- only to break them years later. I always thought I’d keep watching The Simpsons until it went off the air, but the quality of the average Simpsons episode has dropped so precipitously that I stopped tuning in to the show regularly years ago.
But one man, someone who’s much older and wiser than me, intends to keep such a promise. The MaddenMania forums can be found over at Operation Sports, and one of the forumites there, user Poundtherock, isn’t your typical gamer. He partakes in high-level online Madden leagues at the ripe old age of 66, and he believes that videogames have improved his life in a number of ways:
“Most importantly, when I bought the PS2, I knew that it would help keep the mind alert and hands and fingers nimble, although reaction time diminishes regardless,” poundtherock said.... “My stick skills will never be like a kid’s, but I can hold my own most of the time and get lucky and win some.”
“Spending a lot of time at home, video games and game forums was an avenueto [sic] travel without leaving the house,” said poundtherock. “You may never actually meet that person you encounter, but many become ‘cyber’ friends for life that would take your back in a second.”
It’s great to see someone who’s not relatively young and/or in the games industry actually coming out and discussing the positive aspects of videogames, and specifically, the online communities that form around them. I especially love his version of the promise I discussed earlier: “My wife has orders that she is to have me buried with the controller in my hand and the PS3 by my side.” *Raises glass* Not yet, Poundtherock. Here’s to many more years of Madden for you, sir.
[Via Operation Sports -- thanks, Matt!]
Samit Sarkar is a founding Destructoid editor and go-to Sports guy. Samit was the son of the Duke of Knees, rescued from a burning village in the afghan desert by a golden condor. He is an ace Backgammon player and lost both legs in a whaling tour. He lives for free in a nursery in Scotland where he teaches monks how to capture butterflies without hurting them.
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Contest:
2:39 PM on 06.10.2008
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I also believe that I will be playing video games untill the day I die as they have always been a part of my life. I would watch my mom play Dr. Mario when I was little. When I purchased the PS1 my mom was fond of Crash while at my dads he loved Mario64.
Games are just awesome stuff.
This is a great story, by the way.
Also, Samit, I understand its not what it used to be but you should at least DVR The Simpsons. The new episodes aren't that bad.
& ditto on what deadhead said re: simpsons. Theyve still got some good funny left in new episodes. not every1 1 is a home run, but some of them are still really funny. :D
sexa = 6 in latin
genarian is something to do with being of a generation.
septuagenarian = in your 70s
septua = 7 in latin etc...
The internet world is small!
First, thanks, Samit for posting the story via Matt at OS. Chris Sanner @ OS did a fantastic job with the full story and was very gracious in his remarks.
And last but not least, thanks to the members here for all your kind comments. If my doing what I love to do helps just one gamer to continue to "not grow old," then a another bridge has been crossed.
Love the pic at the top. I saved it and might work on it as an avatar in the future....just got to get a PS3 controller in his hand, lol, and get rid of the chessboard.
I still post some at MaddenMania a/k/a Operations Sports, but of late concentrate posting at Vetz Balling: http://www.vetzballin.com/index.php. If any of you stop by and visit, post up a "Hi" with a Destructoid remimder so I know where you are from.
I shall check back here. Again, thanks for your kind words!
PTR