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

But if the logic follows the line that all games are infantile, then all games must be suitable for children, no?

Can't have it both ways.

Sadly Franca, I don't think everyone does. As I said earlier a game can contain about 30-40 hours game play - that's solid commitment on the part of the parent before handing the game over to the child.

I take ratings on games far more seriously than on DVDs, simply because I'm more likely to watch a DVD first and assess how appropriate it is - playing a game for a couple of hours isn't necessarily representative of the whole.

Have you ever played any computer games, OP?

Yes, I see Rubber.

Galletti, I did play computer games as a child - I think maybe I became an adult before the real explosion in Playstations, etc. I wouldn't expect many of our parents were playing computer games on Ataris in the 1980s.

LittleWhiteWolf your logic doesn't stack up. Something can be infantile, without being for infants

I am 40 and have worked my way through all Professor Layton's Mysteries on DS.
I play while I'm breastfeeding DS to sleep. It has never occured to me that this is an immature pastime. I put it in the same category as television really...entertainment, perhaps stimulating thought, a way to unwind.

However, if my DH spent the evening playing shoot 'em up games or halo or whatever it would annoy me.

I think it really depends what you're playing and when you're playing it.

Its not my logic. I'm just echoing what some posters (thankfully not many) seem to be saying. I may have been a little sarcastic with it as well.

I'm just saying that if the black and white view is that games=childish, surely that means game=for children.

Obviously its bollocks as I have atested to. You know, being a grown up and a gamer. And repeated mentioning the vast amount of games aimed at adults.

But it's not logically correct to say that games = childish, then games = for children, even if the original premise (games=childish) is correct

Florence: I'm 37. I had a computer when I was 8. In my gaming guild there's a huge range of ages up to around 50-60 ish. I think possibly you might need to readjust your stereotype.

(Acorn Electron. Trying to dock into the bloody spaceport on Elite, ah happy days )

Like I said, I don't agree with it.

Nor do I agree that your original premise is correct. I think you are deliberately being argumentative and ignorant and a snob. I'd much rather be an infantile member of society than someone so mired in their POV and obsessed with being right that they refuse to take on board any other ideas.

I'm 33 and still play games when I get the chance. DH (44) usually hogs the controller. And BTW, I have clear memories of both my parents playing the zx spectrum in the early 80s, and both still play games now, although not of the speedy platform game variety. My Mum (in her late 60s) likes hidden object and puzzle games, my dad prefers flight simulators. My late MIL was known to sulk for weeks if the grandkids wiped her save games on Mario, and she was in her late 70s.

So YANBU.

YABVVVU

Francagoestohollywood Wed 23-Mar-11 14:47:44

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?

You'd think

I love computer games and I'm 30 :)

"But it's not logically correct to say that games = childish, then games = for children, even if the original premise (games=childish) is correct"

Perhaps not, but it does come across that way when people state it like that, be they right or wrong. :)

Perhaps you could expand what you mean by childish as regards activities, games included? Are you inferring that all gamers, by your definition, are child-like in their natures and lack maturity? I would argue that gaming, as a hobby activity like any other, has a range of people that participate, ranging from those who perhaps you see as less mature to those who you would see as mature? It's all perspective in the end, is it not?

Or is it a perception gained from certain sections of the media? Taken to obsession, as for any other hobby, this could be perceived as unhealthy by others and indeed has been, but this is not down to gaming itself, more down to the stereotype that exists for it, which is constantly reinforced by many of the press.

Alternatively are you stating a view more from a more social perspective in that if something that is enjoyed as a child it should not be carried through to when you become a "responsible adult"? If so, then I fear that I am a little behind in my social development by more than my hobby of gaming; I have yet to get sensible slippers, floral curtains and confess to not possessing a doily nor a special tea set (is that all I need to enter middle life in middle England or have I missed something? ;) ). I also do not own a knee length sensible skirt I'm afraid.

Note: To those who like sensible slippers, floral curtains and doilies/tea sets - I was just illustrating a point, and those things are perfectly lovely if you like them. Which I don't. :D

Florence why do you think the cut off age for games should be 25 and not say 18 or 20 or 30?

She said she wanted to allow some wiggle room for young adults or something

YABU and boring.

Ah! missed that bit somehow.

Oh well! I'll be very childish and get back on me Wii in a sec

What a strange thing to have an opinion on!

We have an Xbox360 and a PS3 and bought the Kinect when it first came out. The different types of games you can play is really varied but I assume that you're talking about first person shooter type games, which I actually really like. When I was pregnant last year I spent ages playing Rainbow6, Bad Company and COD to unwind.

I found I played on my own as a lot of people on XBox Live are twatty teenagers and kids so I wouldn't really want to have a conversation with them while I was playing. Also, being a 'bird' I don't want to have to listen to a load of childish crap. I think I'd have to 'know' people before I went on Live.

Anyway, I also have a daughter, husband, mortgage, family, job, friends, other interests and a social life so not sure you're going to find the stereotype you're after here

YABVU.

We have a wii and an Xbox360 (with Kinect), which we also use as a media centre.

I love the Xbox games- especially the Kinect ones. I prefer playing those with my DH than chess or him just watching TV/ using Twitter all evening and me on MN becasue he's hogging the TV.

All of our friends are also into gaming- some more so than others, but we all know our way around a controller.

There are some games which are single player only which I love Oblivion and some multi-player games Halo which are incredible.

OP have you ever actually sat down and played a game, concentrating on getting it right?

I've got a DS which is great when I am working away, I like the Layton games. we've also got a wii which is good when friends come around or when DH and I want to chill.

Also a huge reader and love audio books for me it's all about imagination.

Oh dear, OP.

Has it not occurred to you that at first perhaps the majority of games were marketed at children, but now, as the industry has evolved, there are just as many for adults? It's a million-dollar/pound/whatever industry. There are lots of 18-certificate games. There is nothing intrinsic about videogames that means they are for children only. They are just simulated worlds in which you can do huge amounts of completely different things.

You could even say gaming is really not that different from reading a book - you're still taking in a story, much of the time. Only it's interactive, too.

FWIW, I grew up playing on the Commodore 64, then the Amiga, then a PC, I've dabbled in console games, and now I mostly play PC games again. I've played them for hours a day when younger, and now I dip in and out. My DH is somewhat involved in the games industry. They're a big part of our lives now, just like any other form of entertainment. Sure you can become addicted, play them too much, but the same is true of other things too.

I think you are being extremely closed-minded.

This thread reminds me of people who say 'what's the point of books, when they're not real'. Argh!