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

Ha..... I just flicked onto here whilst waiting for bejewelled to load up

I started playing computer games when it was moving one of these ^ between rows of these * * * on a ZX81. Since then I've played games on BBC B computers, PCs, Playstations and Xboxes and now iPhones and iPads. In my case, it has led to a new career; before children I was a librarian, now I'm an IT manager in a school, I would probably never have got into computers if I hadn't started by playing games.

But I'm 54, so obviously I'm too old, maybe I need a third career selling sensible slippers.....

YABU.

Computer games make my evenings bearable when I've read all my books.

I don't watch TV on a daily basis, why shouldn't I play World of Warcraft with my friends. We have a lovely chat on voice comms and I enjoy myself.

I've always been a gamer. Just like some people read (though I do that loads too). And some watch soaps. It's a hobby like any other.

I find it odd too - but I am the first to admit that I am hopelessly old fashioned and a luddite - I just don't understand the games and no, I have never played one, never been 'tempted' to find out what they are all about. As far as I know I don't have any friends who play them apart from someone I knew through an evening class, she admitted that she got hopelessly addicted so stopped coming to the evening class and spent (literally - her words) hours and hours playing the War game - she really isolated herself. I know that is an extreme example but it worries me when I see people playing with their DS (?) in the school playground rather than chatting to the other parents etc.

But I know I do spend far too much time on Mumsnet so perhaps that's just as bad? !

I'm 54 and I play computer games most evenings! I hate most of the stuff on the TV, which DH loves, so I just go into another room and read or game. I don't play for hours though and vary it with my growing MN addiction. :)

I wonder if the OP thinks game apps on mobiles are for kids too? Tell that to the 100 million people who have downloaded Angry Birds (fairly sure most of them will be adults).

YANBU

AT ALL

Deal breaker for me.

(don't watch TV either)

Yeah @ happiestblonde

Someone's as much of a snob as I am (but then I do occasionally watch TV)

dp (30) and I (27 as of last week) are both gamers, as is my father who's 55!

We're all functioning, intelligent adults who just happen to enjoy the challange and the storyline of a good video game.

florence :) about time

I'll watch the occasional thing on iplayer.

For me, the term 'gamers' conjures up images of social misfits with no RL friends who have never been for a run or had a job. Summerrain etc I obviously know this is not true...

I have read comics as an adult...I found some old ones in a moving box the other day ...I was addicted to Sims during my first pregnancy..gaming for long is rare for me...I also watched my DH 'clock' games and helped him...

I think these games in moderation can be very healthy for relationships.

DH got a bit too involved in WoW when DS was a baby but bloody hell, all DS did was feed round the clock while I Mumsnetted obsessively and it was a damn sight better than DH spending time in the pub or otherwise out of the house and away from where he was needed.

The whole of life is just about filling our time in an enjoyable and interesting way until we die, so i don't see playing a computer game as any worse than any other hobbies or past times people may have.

Dealbreaker for me too - actually Flamin I am quite happy that my DH goes out to the pub/plays sport/coaches youngsters/etc etc rather than 'gaming' - yes, he is out of the house but to my mind he is interacting with other people and/or exercising which in my view is 100% better than fiddling with a metal box (or watching a metal box).

YANBU - IMO there is having a lark about on sing star or just dance as a bit of fun (ie things I like) then there's attacking enemy forces all night/questing into wee small hours which is a bit sad (ie what X's liked). Have no interest in 'gamers' as partners for the future.

When dp plays a game I'm interested in I sit down with him and we chat constantly and play it together.... much more interactive than sitting on the sofa and watching mindless tv without speaking all night!

OP I used to think like you.. then I found world of warcraft a few months back and thats it, no going back

My dp plays on the xbox a lot, when our kids are in bed and says that its his wind down, it chills him out and relaxes him. I never understood this at all, made fun of him until one day I tried a free web trial with WoW and now I see where is coming from!

We both have rules re game play which is important. Kids and house always come first.

YABU - would comment further but am tired after spending the evening playing Dragon Age 2 so am off to bed!!

YABVU. Some computer games are for vhildren but most are not. I'm 54 and play computer games to wind down after a hard day, DH also plays computer games.

Don't see the difference between enjoying games or enjoying spending times on forums . I like playing games especially with friends occasionally great fun why must people be so serious all the time.

Another Warcrafter here. Our guild is mostly grown up, our GM is an MNer too, she has baby twins. Her husband and best friend are also part of the guild. I think I'm one of the youngest at 30, most of them are late 30s into their 40s, the oldest that I know of is 46.

For some of us it's the social life that having a family can make difficult. We go out and meet up with our friends, have a laugh etc and all without having to dress up and we can drink what we want for a lot cheaper! At £2.50 a week it's hardly a drop on what we used to spend going out.

That's fair enough Ragwort, sounds like your DH has a healthy active life and exercise is important obviously.

We're too knackered in our house with an SN child who hasn't slept through the night in four years to do anything other a bit of cycling as a family but that may change.

I don't get it but I guess it's harmless enough.

Men over the age of 30 with jeans hanging round their arse zooming around on skateboards or silly little bikes though....unforgiveable

I play WoW, as does dh, I'm the GM of a quite good guild on our server. We're all friends and have met up a few times too and keep in touch out of the game as well. Ages vary but we're essentially an over 18's guild so upwards of there to 40's. We generally have a lot of fun and also have a ventrillo server where we chat during raids (necessary on progress stuff for strats etc). Might sound sad to some people but we don't go out much and enjoy it so, it's fun. We're decent too, we run 25 man raids (Cata ones) and have cleared 4/13 heroic cleared 12/12 normal on 25.