to think video games aren't just for teenage boys?

[KassandraOfSparta]

Why does playing video games have such a poor image/reputation?

Numerous threads on here with posters confidently proclaiming that they wouldn't let their children play games, would never date anyone who plays games, would never dream of gaming themselves.

Why is gaming any less "worthy" than sitting watching sport all evening, or soap operas, or painting watercolours or doing jigsaws? Just another form of entertainment, isn't it?

And before anyone pops up saying it's so addictive, well of course anything taken to excess is a problem, whether you're staying up all night with your crochet, jigsaws or tv boxset.

I love games, getting lost in an adventure. I started with the old RPGs like the Ultima series, kings quest and the incredibly funny space quest and went from there. Some of the story telling is amazing like the mass effect series, KOTR or the Witcher series and the world building is amazing. Red Dead Redemption 2 is just beautiful.

I'm not a gamer but I really hate the virtue afforded to hobbies that produce something. What is the point of making all of these things that often no one needs, uses resources and ends in land fill. Fine if you enjoy it but don't put down how other people spend their time.

I game but in VR. My mum does too and she is in her 60s.

I hate it when people say it is a waste of time. Time enjoyed is not wasted. VR games have the added bonus of getting you moving too. Some people's entire fitness regimes are in VR.

I'm 63, DH is 58, and we've always been gamers - The ElderScrolls Online is where we spend most of our gaming time at the moment, but we've been through WoW, LotRO, D&D Online and Runescape in the past. I also play The Sims 4 for relaxation (DH plays some sniper game). We don't have a telly, we don't have time for one - and we're not really into sitting there passively, we prefer to be part of the action!

I had a quiet time today, MiL was asleep, DH was doing something on th laptop and DGS was playing by him self. I spent a couple hours playing Skyrim

5 Yr old DD and I love the Lego games and Fall Guys - loads of fun!

I mean saying gaming is a waste of time - right and mumsnet isnt 😂😂😂

me and my husband play PlayStation or Xbox most evenings once our daughters in bed - such a fun activity to do together and more enjoyable than sitting in front of the tv which I’m sure everyone bloody does most evenings 😂😂

I have found my people!

I am 37, and I have been a gamer since I was 3 and I played with my dad on Commodore 64 (on cassette tapes!)

My latest toy is a steam deck which is the BEST thing ever. I also have a dedicated games room with gaming decor and cushions and everything because I refuse to grow up 🤣

Contrary to popular belief, I still manage to work/clean the house/walk the dog/cook/deal with the teens. It’s just my hobby and I love it.

My brother holds a couple of world records for his gaming too!

I dislike gaming because an awful lot of gamers seem to be rubbish husbands/partners and fathers. It seems to be much, much more addictive than most other hobbies (the games are designed to be addictive) and is mostly very sedentary.

It's possible to smoke and gamble in moderation too. But we place all kinds of legal restrictions on these things in large part because we recognize that a certain % of the population does get hopelessly addicted. Maybe it's time to do the same with games.

I'm a mum of 2 very small children and I don't have time to game at the moment but I'm part way through Cyberpunk 2077 and have spent more hours than I can count immersed in my favourite open world
Games RDR2, Fallout, Witcher 3, HZD etc. could have done a phd or something in that time but it would have been much less fun.

If we're restricting hobbies that make men rubbish husbands, perhaps we should restrict cycling! 🤣

Yanbu - I'm in my 30s, married and have a stressful job, I game quite regularly because it really helps me to de-stress. I'm a big fan of games like Elden Ring and Red Dead because I can become immersed in them and it gives my brain a rest.

@ScurryfungeMaster I'm the same. Gaming is my relaxation. I get panic attacks and a wander around Skyrim or solving puzzles on Tomb Raider is very calming for me.

For me it's not a waste of time or unproductive, it's actually quite therapeutic

YANBU OP!
Just dropping this here as it might be useful for pc gamers who have purchased the original Mass Effect 2/3 and Dragon Age 1/2 via Origins.

EA are removing bioware points in October so the dlc for the above (excluding ME3 multiplayer) are currently free to download 😀
www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/vy92np/ea_will_be_removing_bioware_points_as_of_october/

Kindly keep your lack of self control in your own life and don't tack it on to others....

It’s not gaming that makes someone a selfish uninvolved partner; they could be equally into any number of hobbies or sport which they prioritise over their family life

I like gaming; mostly sims type stuff or something cute like animal crossing

In my life I've known a great many men... Not like that.. rude..

I've worked with hundreds, from welders, to fork truck drivers, to lorry men, to financial directors to CEOs of a multinational.

Out of all of them, the ones I've known the hobbies of, the most obsessive and home life avoidant ones have been the fishermen and the cyclists.

More than one guy I've known have happily knocked off work at 5pm on Friday, gone home, showered, got their gear and gone fishing till late Sunday spending 0 hours with wives and kids.

Purely anecdotal obviously.
The gamers I've known have always preferred being home with their wives and kids to being at work... Their pcs and consoles are home.. 😁

Interesting thread. I don't know anyone who is into gaming and didn't realise it was so common.

I love me a good game of Resident evil game

And as a married mother of three in her forties, IDGAF what anyone thinks.

Gaming is such a great way to keep in touch with your friends when you are stuck at home with kids. No more trips to the pub of an evening, but we can do a few dungeons and have a natter for a few hours.

Interesting thread. I don't know anyone who is into gaming and didn't realise it was so common.

I love threads like these. There was very lovely thread on Lego building a few weeks ago - although that one was a bit less contentious, anyone nay saying lego was quickly made to feel like they’d misread the room and they swiftly left the party so to speak 😂
It’s great to have simple interests and hobbies that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home. And I say that as neither a gamer nor Lego player. I’m more of a cross stitched and jigsaw puzzler myself. But it’s all the same really.

We had a WII when they first came out and a Sega megadrive before that. I think DS2 later had an Xbox at uni.

So in my mid 50s if I wanted to get into gaming what would I get?

I'm active so the sound of fitness appeals. For storyline stuff I would like adventure, exploring, mystery type stuff. I'm not particularly techy ( out of touch!!!) for complicated controls!

Love gaming myself, ds and dh also love gaming, we all play together. Also enjoy board and card games together, I also enjoy art and crafts and projects, dh and ds also love hiking. Dh is an avid reader, ds loves writing and making comics. I enjoy socialising and gigs.

It is not all or nothing and a great way to spend time as part of a varied life.

I'm 49 and love racing around Paradise City (Burnout Paradise), love lego Star Wars and am itching to play GoW again. Bought myself a new Xbox over the holidays when my DD spent the week away.