Is there a point in life when you realise you are too old for online video gaming?

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I've been playing games since I built my first Sinclair ZX81 but I moved away from computer gaming circa 2007 and onto consoles.
I always struggled using a mouse and keyboard for first person shooters so I always used a joystick so getting use the Xbox 360 controller was quite easy.
Now with the Xbox one I still enjoy a single player game but I gave up with Xbox Live a few years ago as my reaction time was way too slow playing youngsters.
I've played every game in the CoD series but didn't bother with the latest version as it's online only.
Now, I know a few people who are a similar age to me and can still play well online so now I am wondering if it is me personally or whether there is an age factor.
The reason I am questioning myself is that I can still track a BiF and get a good shot so I know my reaction time is fine when doing this.
 
I'm 51 and have always played console games, starting with a Sega mega drive and I now use a ps4. I still play online. Played most of the cod games. Currently enjoying WWZ and now and again top the scoreboard, but that's not why I play, I enjoy gaming, always have and I'm not going to stop [emoji4]
 
I'm sure I *could* still play, but TBH it just seems like a juvenile activity, and a mixture of boredom and embarrassment that I'd invest so much time & become so very involved in something so useless made me decide to stop. That was about 10 years ago - I still have a couple of older PCs loaded with XP and W2000 sat around upstairs in case I ever fancied trying again, but the urge has never really returned.
 
You just need to change the type of games you play. No you (like me) can’t keep up with a ‘monster’ fuelled 14 year old at online shooters but there are plenty of ‘non twitch’ games out there.
 
I've enjoyed shooting since I was a kid, but I've never been interested in computer games.
 
I’m 60 and I am still playing FPS games regularly. Like yourself I’ve been into computers since the ZX81, I built and repaired PC,s for quite a few years. I’ve been solely a Mac user this past 8 years, and fir gaming I have the PS4 and PS4 pro. My reactions are definitely slower, but I’m still enjoying the gaming, and I progress thru the rankings ok, albeit slower than before.
 
I don’t play many online games ,but do find it hard to keep up with the storylines on porn hub
 
Brazo said:
You just need to change the type of games you play. No you (like me) can’t keep up with a ‘monster’ fuelled 14 year old at online shooters but there are plenty of ‘non twitch’ games out there.
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Yes exactly I’m in my fifties and still play
Rather than shooters try something like an RPG like elder scrolls online where you need skill character setup and an understanding of the games mechanics to do well
You can play solo or with friends as part of a four or twelve person team
 
Yep second half of my fifties and still regular. I like sandbox type games that keep me going for months so stuff like GTAV, Red Dead Redemption 2, Assassins creed odyssey/origins, witcher 3, God of War etc. All on PS4, Never go online at all purely single player.
I often question should I be spending all the time I do on it but if I wasnt doing that id probably be watching telly so I think being interactive is more fun.
I think it may give me neck aches or something not sure, muscles you dont relaise are tensing up at certain times and maybe over long periods this can lead to issues. Or I could just have a cr4p armchair.
Been playing since ZX spectrum (Atic atac, halls of the things) days in the 80's through commodore 64(any microprose title ; Stealth fighter,red storm rising), then PC for years (doom, quake, diablo, medal of honour etc) then PS3 to PS4.
 
I've been wondering the same thing, I think I've definitely slowed down. Games don't feel as good these days, or perhaps my expectations now are higher than when I was young. I miss games like Penetrator, Manic Miner, Rick Dangerous, Monkey Island, Space Quest, Powermonger, Populous, Midwinter, Hostage etc. But I know they will probably seem crap now.

I think BF2 was the last game I played online with any real time investment, I was part of a clan thingy where we all had TeamSpeak and that made a huge difference to the whole experience, but yes as you get older it's harder to find the time required. Besides, the amount of hacking you see ruins it.

In more recent times I really enjoyed Rainbow 6 Siege due to the planning and coop element but like most stuff there's far too many in game transactions required. I also liked America's Army due to how easy it was to die, so less run and gun. I mess about occasionally on my son's Xbox, usually to help him out though. Assassin's Creed is good fun but it does get repetitive. Played The Division for a while until they took it off Gamepass. Amazing visuals! I liked the clever way you could switch between single player, coop and coop/multiplayer in-game and the difficulty of AI self adjusted. It was all very seamless, very well thought out in my view. But it also became a little repetitive, tempted to try The Division 2 to see if anything is different.

I recently got Metro and Metro Last Light, great storytelling and I quite enjoyed it despite not being a genre I'd normally go for. I'm definitely noticing a heavy lean on visuals over content/playability these days and games get boring fast.

Games I like now are those with more strategy and planning and which you can easily leave and come back, so it keeps my interest and fits in with my lifestyle. Time is so limited these days and they are all through Steam so keeps everything in one place. Here's a few which I recently played but no longer installed:
  • Total War (Empire & Shogun 2. Could never get into Rome 2 though)
  • This War of Mine (very emotional)
  • Totally Accurate Battle Simulator (got it on the recommendation from my son, good fun for a while but needs a lot of improvement and more depth)
  • RimWorld (nothing to do with PornHub)
  • Frostpunk (same developers as This War of Mine - has the emotional aspect)
  • Xcom2 (loved the original so I had to get this)

I've only got three games installed now:
  • Total War: Empire, more for the strategic side of it rather than the battle which I just auto-resolve.
  • Prison Architect, which is insanely addictive and despite having crap graphics it just goes to show that gameplay is king. Unlimited creativity.
  • Hearts of Iron III, but I don't think I'll have the time to learn this insanely complex game fully.
I've been considering VR but I don't think it's really there yet after trying out a few handsets in PC World. Seems to strain your eyes a little as well. Got a mobile phone setup but obviously it's nowhere near the same but good fun for a while.

Playing games seems to have a juvenile stigma attached to it but I think gaming is good and just like books it is escapism from the stresses of reality, just so long as it's in moderation. It's easy to lose a lot of hours from gaming.
 
I enjoy(ed) a bit of gaming, but it has been a good few years since I have had any time to sit down and turn on the PS4.
 
Never really got into computer gaming. Do a few Sudoku's and play solitaire but that is about it
 
I don't do online gaming but just passed 50 and still dabble in some first person stuff, just played and completed far cry 5 on pc, bit samey towards the end but nice.
also have some Role playing games I like to go to every so often, Divinity Original Sin II comes and goes. I use PC gaming as more of a switch off from TV a bit lately, I also work away from home a lot so it is only when I am home I get to have a little dabble.
 
I used to like sensible soccer and tekken :) But my wrists and fingers suffered... I liked doom and then Quake (online) and some F1 driving... I even had a job making games on computers..

But I havent played a game for about 20 years now.... They look far too involved nowerdays...

Age 62 and 11 months :)
 
last couple of games i had a go at was fortnite and pub g, both on the pc rather than a console and i just kept getting killed :(
it's not like i remember when i used to play unreal tournament back in the day

the wife likes her games on the xbox 1 but i can't use a joypad/controller and stick to mouse n keyboard on the PC or should i say i used to i've not really bothered lately
 
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I'm old ish , gaming has never entered my life , no time for this , I also have a unused PS3 covered in dust
 
I'm not old (mid -30s) but I ended up packing away my playstation when I got married and moved. Still in the garage. I played all the CoD games up to and including Ghosts. My reaction times improved as I got used to playing each game. I'd start off rubbish and then as I learnt the maps, and the typical hiding places, I became better. Experience is what helped me overcome slow reaction times. I also had a smaller TV (I think 21") so I didn't have much of the screen to "scan" visually.
 
Aye the tricks are good, I remember when turning settings to the lowest gave you an advantage as the grass would disappear and reveal them haha
 
Been into computers and gaming since I can remember, Astro Wars, Tomytronic handheld then an Oric 1 was my first computer. I have many consoles options and a well specced PC in the house but gaming gets less and less.

I will game a bit more in the winter months but I prefer golf nowadays, I played a round Friday after work, a round and then 2 hrs Toptracer Saturday and a round on Sunday, that is how into golf I have got. I also go gym 2-3 nights after work now as well so gaming is well on the back burner.
 
50 (today :oops: :$) and been playing computer games since I was 12, starting with 1K breakout and 3D Monster Maze on the ZX81. About the only 3D type game I play now is Elite on the PS/4, and haven't logged in to that for a few months. One browser based game (Therian Saga) and Pokemon Go on the telephone.

tijuana taxi said:
When you reach your teens or discover girls
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Terrifying thing (for some men, anyway) is that nowadays at least as many girls play computer games as boys.

I had a birthday lunch on Saturday with two friends, both of whom play computer games, and both of whom are women, and one of whom I became friends with through playing Everquest 15 years ago. The stereotype is over thirty years out of date.
 
I just assumed men and women play and had always played games on computers.
Personally never had any interest in these games, but I was into watching and playing sport plus going to music gigs, oh and young ladies too.
Still do the watching, playing not so much any more, each to their own though
Just seems odd to me that people prefer to stay indoors especially on nice days and not get any fresh air or exercise
 
We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.

My eve online character will be 15 in September :)


 
Referring back to the first post from the OP I don’t think it necessarily comes down to being competitive, you don’t have to hang up your joypad coz you’re not always top 3, just play online for the fun of it, they are just games after all. I used to be awesome at the earlier cods, but now I get slaughtered half the time by 12 year olds. But I’m not getting paid based on my k/d ratio so it doesn’t matter does it!
 
tijuana taxi said:
I just assumed men and women play and had always played games on computers.
Personally never had any interest in these games, but I was into watching and playing sport plus going to music gigs, oh and young ladies too.
Still do the watching, playing not so much any more, each to their own though
Just seems odd to me that people prefer to stay indoors especially on nice days and not get any fresh air or exercise
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It is an old stereotype mate. The games industry dwarfs the film industry nowadays. Everyone’s at it ;)

Just for you
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....sexy-strip-off-gaming-pc-playstation-xbox/amp
 
gman said:
. . . . . I think BF2 was the last game I played online with any real time investment, I was part of a clan thingy where we all had TeamSpeak and that made a huge difference to the whole experience, but yes as you get older it's harder to find the time required. Besides, the amount of hacking you see ruins it. . . . . .
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Now that was a good game, in my opinion the best of all the Battlefield series!
 
Mid-fifties and played computer games as far back as I can remember. Today I still play daily after work. I'm strict about how long I spend on games but I still enjoy it. Mainly PUBG. I spent a fortune over the years building gaming computers. I wish I could get used to gamepads on a PS3 but sadly cant!
 
Never too old to play video games. Historically, people played games into old age, like chess. It's no different except the games are better now.
 
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