Age and Gaming

[Gingersnap]

Recently I was in the car with my mother, and I asked her if I could order a Sylveon plushie online (since they're really cute and I finally have money for myself.)
She then said "Why do you want that? You're a young lady. You should spend your money on a purse or some nice clothes, not Pokemon toys."
I responded with, "Maybe I don't want that stuff, I'd rather have a plushie."
She then went on saying how I was going into high school (I'm young I know) and I won't have time to play games anymore and how I'll lose interest in them in a few years, how I'm wasting my money by buying games for my 3DS and Steam account.
Thoughts?

 

[TxAnt]

Just tell her if in a few years you lose interest that you'll sell it on Ebay and get your money back anyway.

 

[Mira]

Not true at all.
All of my friends are older gamers, the range is from 20-40. I think games are timeless.
I am 23 myself and still like all of that stuff. I have a few plushies myself too. So I don't agree at all!
Don't worry about age, do what you like, buy whatever you like!

 

[Imbri]

It's probable that you won't have as much time to play once you're in high school, and it's possible that you'll lose interest in some games, but it isn't a certainty. I'm in my 40s and I still love to play games, although the types I play have changed over the years.

As for loving plushies, I was gifted with Professor Layton and Luke Triton dolls over the holidays and adore them, so who can say?

 

[Chris]

I'd agree with your Mum to some extent - but that might just be because I like shopping for things like clothes and make-up.

I was playing games constantly age 5-12, but I don't recall really playing much while I was in high school. However, once I left I immediately went back to them. I'm now about to start my fourth year of college and even though I don't play nearly as much as I used to (due to coursework + social life) I still make time to play games. I adore games like Final Fantasy and Pok?mon even more now than I did as a kid.

 

[Bambi]

I disagree completely. I am 25 and will NEVER grow out of games, cartoons, plushies, or toys. One of my favorite things to do is go to toys r us and look around. I know for a fact it's something I will never grow out of.

Can plushies be a waste of money? Absolutely. In a sense that it just sits there. On the other hand if it brings you nostalgia, joy, happiness, than I don't see it as being a waste.

If you are a teen anyways nice clothes won't last, you will actually grow out of the clothes faster than you will the plushie.

 

[DirtyD]

Very untrue. I'm 32 and still game all the time

 

[Kaiaa]

It seems your mom thinks she is looking out for you so please don't be mad with her. She want's you to fit in with the other girls at your school but may not realize that a lot of young adults and older adults now days like games, plushies, and cartoons.

Purses and clothes may have helped her fit in when she was in high school so she is just trying to help you fit in as well. High school is a time where a lot of people open up socially and do their best to fit in with people.

Be who you are. Buy that plushie and feel good about yourself! The people who like you will like you no matter what, the others don't deserve your time.

 

[demoness]

I'm sure your mother means well, but all she is doing is supporting gender roles and ageism. You needn't concern yourself with being anyone but yourself. Believe me when I say you will find other girls and boys your age that share the exact same interests you have in high school. My girlfriend, Officer Berri, is 23 years old and she still finds time for games and plushies. I'm 20, and I buy about three games a month on average with money I set aside for small luxuries after bills are paid.

You could lose interest in all of that, but you could stay interested your entire life. Neither is more likely than the other. I can promise you that your interests will change as you grow older, but it isn't so much losing interest in toys and games as it will be liking different kinds of games and toys because you'll get more critical of things you once loved no matter what. I'm not as into Nintendo as I once was because I don't feel like they take enough risks, although I still adore the company.

You won't have as much time to game and buy things, but if you're a diligent student you shouldn't lose a huge amount of time. You should let your mom know that just because you like games and toys doesn't mean you'll forget your young adult responsibilities. Parents are usually skeptical until you show you can do both. Don't worry too much.

 

[oath2order]

There is a point that you get to be too old to play video games. That point is when you're dead.

Forget purses and fancy clothing. Do what you like, and if that's video games, have at it. I know I do

 

[Bones]

I'm sure your mother means well, but all she is doing is supporting gender roles and ageism. You needn't concern yourself with being anyone but yourself. Believe me when I say you will find other girls and boys your age that share the exact same interests you have in high school. My girlfriend, Officer Berri, is 23 years old and she still finds time for games and plushies. I'm 20, and I buy about three games a month on average with money I set aside for small luxuries after bills are paid.

You could lose interest in all of that, but you could stay interested your entire life. Neither is more likely than the other. I can promise you that your interests will change as you grow older, but it isn't so much losing interest in toys and games as it will be liking different kinds of games and toys because you'll get more critical of things you once loved no matter what. I'm not as into Nintendo as I once was because I don't feel like they take enough risks, although I still adore the company.

You won't have as much time to game and buy things, but if you're a diligent student you shouldn't lose a huge amount of time. You should let your mom know that just because you like games and toys doesn't mean you'll forget your young adult responsibilities. Parents are usually skeptical until you show you can do both. Don't worry too much.

^^^ Allllll of this.. especially the first portion.

A parent should be supportive of what their child wants (unless it's something harmful, like wanting to murder people ), regardless of what it is. And while it is true that some people "out grow" their hobbies, there's nothing wrong with enjoying it while it lasts. ..Assuming you're not shelling out like, hundreds of thousands dollars into something you'll only like for a year or so, but I assume that's not the case. lol.

There are no things that you "should" or "shouldn't" like simply based upon what sex you are, and there are certainly no age restrictions on certain hobbies or activities.

 

[Oriana]

If it makes you happy, go for it! That's all I have to say. My mother has made the same argument whenever she brings up my love for video games. However, just because I'm a gamer doesn't mean I don't have a life. I still manage to fulfill my obligations in both school and at home. Contrary to popular belief, gamers are humans too.

 

[Dagger311]

I am fifteen, so I'm a little young to say that I didn't lose intrest in them, but I do have a collection of stuffed animals, most of which aren't even video game related. Buy what you want (As long as it's not illegal lol).

 

[DirtyD]

I do want to add as well... that don't expect it to ever change.

I'm 32 and my mom tells me still to this day that I game too much. Moms never get off ur case. Ever.

 

[charmed girl]

I'm 25 and still love playing games I even play games on my Facebook account, when I was in high school I still liked playing games and played in my spare time but I hardly had any spare time.

 

[chillv]

Unless you are just a casual gamer who doesn't really play video games on a regular basis and/or you have little interest in them, then she is not telling the truth. Gamers keep their interest in video games forever. There are Men and Women in their 20's and even older that still play video games.

As far as plushies are concerned, people rarely grow out of them. In fact, plushies actually have a benefit to them. They give a feel of comfort and they can stop a person from feeling lonely or isolated.

 

[DiscordDave]

I'm 41, my wife is 43. We're big time gamers. Our kids are gamers. Save your games and collectibles! I didn't and regret it! My first game system was the Magnavox Odyssey. Pretty much the first game console for a TV, ever made. I'm also a member of an international community of gamers that you can't even be a member of until you are 25, and the have a meager 59 thousand members, with some into their 80s!!!

You are never too old to play.

And besides, Pokemon rules! I have a plushie Sandile and Axew sitting next to me, and my wife crocheted me a stuffed shiny umbreon!

And another besides that I just thought of, colleges and universities now offer full degrees in game design! Games are BIG business and won't be going away.

 

[Meltd0wn]

Some people do grow out of liking games, and others don't. I am 48 and have two teenage daughters, but I still love playing video games as well as table top RPGs, and I still own and play all of my old game consoles dating all the way back to my original magnavox odyssey and atari pong systems. and not only that but my daughters now enjoy playing all of these as well. so saved me money simply through replay.

And for the record, My parents both told me I would grow out of liking gaming, and they still don't understand why I enjoy it. But on the other hand I still don't understand why they enjoy watching sports. LOL everyone is different and has different tastes, I have made a conscience effort to not force my views on my daughters in what they like and dislike unless it is something that is actually harmful (drugs, etc).


OH and both my parents did stop bugging me about my "toy" collecting, when I pointed out that it was no different than their own personal collections. (bears, bikes, perfume, shoes, sports team items, lighthouses, etc)

 

[Tetsuya]

I was feeling like I was getting to old for gaming and thought it would be embarrasing to post my age but after reading about older gamers ages and there stories I'm not afraid anymore. I'm 19 and I am a gaming Addict It all started when a cousin of mine I never knew of came over and let me play pokemon crystal he taught me some basic n I didn't get it. The first pokemon I used was lugia after he left I bought my first gameboy color,n the pokemon red,blue,yellow,and crystal. ^_^ Pokemon first game <3 thank you cousin for getting me into gaming I never regret it.

 

[Bacon Boy]

18 Years Old, going on 19 here. I've been gaming since I was about three. My first game was Super Mario World for the SNES. Ever since then, I don't know, it just kind of clicked. I use to be pretty bad at games as a kid, well, moreso the more difficult ones (i.e. Mega Man, Mega Man X, Paper Mario, RPGs, etc.). AND IN MY DEFENSE, Mega Man games are super difficult. At any rate, my dad's the one with the biggest problem in it. He always complains, asking how I could spend an hour or so in front of the screen playing video games. I retorted and asking him how he could spend an hour or so sitting in front of the TV watching the news. He finds different things about video games to call me out on now like violence, it being for kids, etc. I stopped listening and caring. Gaming will always be a pretty big part of me. Through the music, memories, and experiences, it won't change. I'm hoping that the girl I find will be as big of a gamer as I am. Who else will go to things like MAGfest and Comic Con with me?

It's just like any other hobby or lifestyle; don't let people tell you how to live your life. If it's something you enjoy and it's something you're good at, keep at it. Video Games improved my hand-eye coordination and my reflexes which helped me with guitar. One doorway leads to the next. I don't see myself giving up gaming any time. That's just the way it'll be haha.