to think anyone over the age of 25 playing computer games on their own should grow up?

[FlorencesMachine]

Maybe it's a generation thing, but I always thought computer games were for children

YABU They're not.

YABU - I know loads of grown men who love em

My DH would agree. He dispairs of me playing World of Warcraft. But then its not really on my own as I virtually meet up with people in my guild and do quests together.

YABVU.

YABU I love games.

I am 25 still (just) - am I allowed to play the odd game? I guess I'll have to give them up come my next birthday...

The gaming industry is now bigger than films - more money is spent on games than both cinema visits and buying DVDs. More by quite a lot. That isn't all from teenagers.

That depends if you are including Tetris on a DS as well or not?

YABU. What's wrong with doing something enjoyable that helps you unwind? As long as it's not impinging on other areas of normal life I can't see the problem. Why should some things be arbitrarily categorised as only for children?

I enjoy computer games. Of course spending hours and hours on them as an adult is sad. But in general I think it is no more sad than watching tv.

I love playing computer games and I'm 35. And given that many computer games are rated 18+, you are being rather ridiculous stating they are just for children.

There are loads that are 18+

What bothers me is how they can take over peoples lives.
My sister has rung in sick to work beofre now so that she can play on her whatsitcalled thingy xweebox thingy!

YABU. Isn't it just the male equivalent of being on Mumsnet?

It's a dangerous attitude actually. Parents who assume all computer games are only for children will also assume they're all suitable for children. And they're not all.

Why on earth would it bother you? Unless it is taken to extreme levels and is becoming an addiction that affects someone else's life, surely whatever someone does in their spare time is up to them?

Is like people who get all worked up about adults reading Harry Potter books. Who cares? Does it affect your life at all? No-one is making you do the same thing!

So if they're on their own they should grow up. What about two player games etc, should they grow up too or do you think there's a difference? YABU.

YABU-dp loves them too, he plays them in the evening when the children are in bed, once all the jobs are done, when i allow him too . All his mates are on there playing fifa and they have a lovely time. Better than him disapearing down the pub and spending £'s! He does play 5 a side and take all the children to their evening activites too so its not as if anyone else suffers because of his x-box.

Define computer games. I play Hidden Object/Mystery/Professor Layton type games. They're not all Halo/World of Warcraft/Medal of Honour. Or played by men. Interested to hear what you mean by 'generation thing' as well.

You sound very intolerant and narrow minded. Computer games don't really do it for me either but so what? There are plenty of interests I have which might not appeal to other people or even strike them as childish but that's my business.

Phew I have another 4 years before I have to stop playing Tetris and Super Mario

YABVU

That's pretty much like saying "people who watch TV should grow up" or "people who read books are childish". Games are another form of entertainment/media.

Not only that, but they're much better value for money as a form of entertainment.

Cf a £30 computer game that has approximately 30-40 hours play time to complete to a £12 DVD that's 2 hours long.

Fair enough, games aren't your thing. Do you dismiss other hobbies you don't enjoy just as easily? The thought of sitting in front of the TV all night fills me with horror but it doesn't stop me from acknowledging that there's some really good TV content out there which are well written and enjoyable for a large number of people.

I think that, at the risk of making a comically awful sweeping generalisation, there does seem to be quite a few blokes within the overall male 20-something demographic which has managed to permanently infantilise themselves by never stepping away from gaming as they grow up.

It's got to the point when, if I am looking at profiles on a dating site, for example, and they mention that they like computer games/do a job which makes it likely that they are into computers, I make MASSIVE assumptions about:

• Their inability to amuse themselves in situations without a screen to look at
• The probablility that their social skills (i.e. conversation/compassion) might be impaired
• The likelihood that they may be quite immature (if they still game like a teenager, then they'll probably leave their clothes everywhere/eat junk/be moody like a teenager)

This is based on two fairly unsuccessful relationships where the above was absolutely true. I am aware that the plural of anecdote is not 'data', but I am sick of meeting guys who TOTALLY underperform in all areas of their adult persona... because they like to sit on their iwn in the evenings and play violent games to win points.

/rant.

And it's not just a male thing either! It's almost 50/50 now.

OP - I agree with you. I think it's ridiculous for grown-ups to be playing computer games. And just because there are games aimed at adults or just because lots of people play them doesn't justify it in my view. And I wouldn't let my children play them either.

keep thinking it.
playing games > growing up

I think there's a distinction to make between 'someone who likes the odd game which happens to be played on a computer' and what I would call a 'gamer' - someone who DOES play for hours a day.

YABU I'm nearly 46 and i like them. I am pretty grown up with a mortgage, kids and job!!