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

Just a comparision question: Would two adults playing a game of chess be somehow wrong? Because modern gaming can have the same level of strategy in every imaginable way. In fact, I can think of quite a few whose strategies can easily be likened to those required in a game of chess. And yet somehow this is different, why? Because it looks fancier?

i'm amazed that people have the freetime to play them! Yes they are relaxing to play,as is watching the TV or reading, but they do seem to get some people very "gripped".
As long as it doesn't impinge on your "normal" /family life I can't see the harm!

Quenelle, Bill Bryson and BBC1 are ok (obviously depends what show you're watching).

Actually I'm quite in favour of retaining the inner child and going on the swings, etc.

Agree with Quenelle. You're just arguing for the sake of it. I think you're getting a little thrill out of feeling superior and grown up compared to us "infantile" groups of society, just because we indulge in a little light-hearted gaming to wind down instead of the Times crossword.

Enjoying the view from your high horse, are you?

RubberDuck - I loved the 1st DA, what's 2 like?

RubberDuck, I'm very jealous that you're playing DA2! I'm waiting for my birthday, but thats not til August. Is it amazing?

oldwomaninashoe - you get the time for MNet, don't you? Or the time for TV? Or to read? What's the difference?

Really good, TheAtomicBum - I'm hugely enjoying it. The fighting system has changed substantially which takes a little getting used to, but now that I have I think it's an improvement - far more immersive. Characterisation, storyline, etc all as superb as the first. Romantic subplots don't seem as immersive this time and it feels a little more linear but I'm really scrabbling around to find fault for those.

Already planning my 2nd play through (Played DA1 through 4 times)

TheAtomicBum that's a great comparison. I think the intellectual snobbery kicks in when a screen is involved, which is ridiculous in the 21st century.

Tee hee, has made me smile. 25 sounds quite old for computer games Howver, I believe its aboy thing. My DH would say I am too old to spend all of our son's naps time on online forums

- glad I'm not the only one wondering that.

I did a more in-depth non-review of Dragon Age 2 here if you're interested (no spoilers I promise!).

You don't know what you're missing

atomicbum

In the OP, I stated playing on your own - chess is about playing with someone else, so it's not the presence of a screen.

Ok, so I am being argumentative slightly for the sake of it, but I stick largely with my premise that computer games are infantile

Oooh. The immersive romantic plots and non-lineer gameply were a huge winner for me. I especially loved the fact that there's so many options that you can never play it exactly the same way twice.

Yes, it was really beautifully done. I don't know, it may be that it is non-linear as I'm only on my first play through. There are distinct Acts with groups of quests and you can choose which tasks you do and the order you do them in. But the main plot clearly progresses on linear lines with increasing conflict and danger.

Don't really want to say much more without ruining the plot.

RubberDuck, brilliant! Thanks for that!

Florences - what about solitaire with real cards (or marbles for that matter!). Childish?

FlorencesMachine, what about achess machine? Been around for chess gamers to practice with for years.

Also, as I said earlier, for most of us gaming is done in groups. As teenagers we'd play shoot 'em ups with splits screens between up to 4 of us, or turn for turn games with friends.

Now, DP and I enjoy the same routines. Only the type of game we play is a little different. No shoot 'em ups anymore. Too mindless for us now (but no probs if you want to relax with a midless game - personal taste!)

boo at growing up.

I would much rather switch the XBox on while I am feeding than watch some of the shite that passes for daytime telly at the moment.

I am 30 and I am a woman btw

I make a living from it (both myself and OH are in the industry, though I am currently an at home mum) as well as play games for fun with my husband. :) We're 36 and 37 year olds here. I know many parents that also enjoy a game or two to unwind of an evening as well and have played online games with gamers who are much older and, I might add, have high powered careers that suggest that they are far from infantile in their day to day lives.

The range of games we play is fairly broad, if it's entertaining or two player we usually give it a try. But then it's one of our hobbies.

I would agree with previous posters however that said that this view of games as infantile most probably leads to young teens (and even younger) playing games that are hugely violent and actually designed for the adult gaming market. Which I believe is not hugely healthy for those teens. But then I am probably just being infantile. ;)

Computer games can be extremely good fun. I remember how much I enjoyed playing Myst a long time ago.

But all in all I think YANBU.

Why would seeing games as infantile lead to buy inappropriate games for the children?
Anyone in their right mind would look properly at a game before buying it, no?

I like lots of different things. BBC 1 - 4, Radio 1, 3 and 4, Twitter, CBeebies, Harry Potter, "serious" literature, computer games, board games, outdoor games, cookery, art and culture, drinking wine, dancing (last two not unrelated), sport, history, nature, animals and acting like a loon on the trampoline!

The fun of being an adult is that you can do/like all the things you did as a child but do/like adult things too.

It might be. It was hard to see the differences until you're second play through. We worked it out as DP and I were playing different charactors. I was a Human Rogue, she was an Elven Mage. We ended up with very different stories and endings.