Over 50 and gaming….

I’ll be fifty-one on my next birthday. Yeah, there is that. To be quite frank, I don’t feel a day over twenty, mentally that is. Physically, that is a different story, but I am in decent shape comparatively speaking. I remember when I first started playing World of Warcraft and learned that there was a sixty-something in our guild. That rather surprised me, as I was thirty-six and felt like maybe sixty was a little old to be playing video games. I am from the video game generation and was nine when the Atari 2600 came out. A few years later I got one of my own and played my heart out.

Sixty was pushing my dad’s age

Now you have to understand that when I say play, my time was limited. I grew up on small farm in rural East Texas, and so about the only time I had to play was at night. I learned to get a little less sleep, so my gaming time was increased. And I felt like that even at thirty-six, I was “ok” to be playing video games, I was raised on them. Sixty was pushing my dad’s age but yeah to each his own is my philosophy.

Fourteen years later

Now, fourteen years later, I’m the one who is up there, and I am still playing. I gave up World of Warcraft to have more time for writing and you can find my article about my gaming addiction here: My Thoughts. And granted while I do write, I still make time to play. You have to have balance in your life, right? Balance is a cold brew in one hand and a controller in the other? (In my case a keyboard)

I’m a PC gamer

For the past twenty years or so, I have been playing PC games, but I’m not opposed to consoles. My love right now is Witcher 3, wow, I cannot say enough about that game. It is smashingly brilliant. I’ve come to this place where I believe that gaming can even be helpful to a person if they’ll let it. It, like anything else is an escape. A place to lose yourself and be immersed.

Do you yell at the game for cheating?

I can see myself in the assisted living place or nursing home, owning a gaming machine of the latest and greatest and playing the new games. Being that old guy that yells at the game for cheating, like I did when I was a kid.

Even at eighty, I don’t think I’ll lose that desire to explore a new world. Who knows what gaming is going to be like thirty years from now. The grandkids will be jealous of Grandpa’s gaming consoles and computers, or virtual reality machine!

Sixty isn’t old

Nearing fifty-one, I see sixty as young now, and I am thankful I got to know that gentleman, who was gaming at sixty, he gives me hope that there is room for everyone in the gaming world. You’re never too old to enjoy what life has to offer. Whether it be gaming, riding motorcycles, or synchronized bowling.

We have experience to offer

Being older does mean being wiser, I’ve been gaming longer than most of the kids nowadays have been alive. There is value (gaming-wise) in that.

Do I feel like I am too old to be playing? No, not at all. My best friend’s uncle plays, and he is in his seventies. Keep on keepin’ on!

I’ll leave you with a shot of Geralt of Rivia, one of the best rpg characters ever.

What are your thoughts on gaming and getting older? Do you think we should grow up and stop? Find something better to do? Let me know!

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