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 think playing long games while you have young kids is basically impossible (not that it stops some people).

There must be a market ready to explode of 5-10 hour games that cater to new parent gamers who enjoyed gaming themselves as kids. Not everyone has time for the Witcher 3.

No but you don’t have to play it all through at once. Don’t most people play for a couple of hours, save and come back to it?

Oh because if you don't game you're obviously shagging like rabbits 🙄Maybe read some posts on here about all the people in sexless relationships, not all of them are gamers.

YANBU. I love playing animal crossing. Currently playing Until Dawn on the ps4. Also watch my favourite gamer on twitch. I count it as a hobby.

I've adult children and playing video games has played a massive role in our family. We've had so much fun over the years with them. My kids still get together to play together and if they don't meet in person they play together online. They were never allowed to play video games excessively, maybe 1 hour a day when they were kids. Always strictly timed. They were also never allowed to play first person shooters or anything unsuitable.

The are all healthy, social and hardworking people and they all do plenty of other things apart from gaming. I don't see any downsides tbh. I genuinely think video games have made our family closer.

Our games systems (N64, GameCubes, wii etc) are an important part of our family 😂😂😂

Well most things can be considered a form of escapism like reading books (in particular fiction books), watching movies and non documentary TV shows, boxsets etc. Going out playing sports or to the gym is a form of escapism (escaping the house which we can all appreciate post lockdown).

Majority of people can and do find time to do all the boring stuff like cleaning, food shop etc alongside their hobbies.

See, I'd be a bit disappointed if mine were into sport. For me, that would be just like being into computer games (equally boring) - though I suppose it has the fitness element in its favour. Other than that - and there are lots of ways you can be fit without participating in sport - I'd not be in the slightest bit delighted about this. The conversations at home must be very, very dreary.

Oh I loved Until Dawn. The makers have a new one out The Quarry which looks equally good. It's on my list for when I have the time.

I’ve always played games, and I don’t really care much what people say about it. Usually when people share negative opinions of gamers, it becomes clear quickly that they have no idea what they’re talking about.

That said, my ex was addicted to games, but not because the games were inherently addictive, just because he was selfish and wanted to spent 100% of his life doing fun things and not being responsible.

I don’t hold games responsible for that, in fact as a single parent- games give me something to do when my kid has gone to bed. Playing an MMO with the same people regularly also gives me a chance to be social without my kid in the evening.

People not liking games/gamers doesn’t bother me. You do you. What does bother me is when people write them off entirely without trying them- and when women on MN (and I’ve seen this multiple times) say they have NO hobbies. That just makes me sad.

Some of my favourite games: FFXIV, Fire Emblem, Bloodborne, Skyrim. But I’ll play a bit of anything, really.

On the back of this thread I've gone and bought Skyrim Elder Scrolls V for my Nintendo Switch.

So that's me lost to the world for the weekend 🤣

Interesting comments on this thread. I don't know when video gaming became known as a male geeo thing. When I was young I was playing King's Quest, Money Island, Prince of Persia etc on the PC and Mario, Sonic on the Nintendo 64 and Sega GameCube. Me and my brother played together all the time and loved it. Some of it was escapism for sure, but I don't see the harm if it's not taking you away from other stuff. My ds is a gamer but he is very social in his gaming, he has a tight group of friends who game together and they talk about all sorts of stuff so I'd argue it does help with interaction and friendships (they meet IRL too and are great friends.) So I'm not disappointed he's into that and not sport - he's a lovely, well-rounded young lad, polite, kind and compassionate. Doesn't seem his gaming has caused any harm at all. The other plus is that we love gaming together so it's great for spending time with him.

Is Skyrim easier to play on a Switch? I bought it through steam and tried it on my desktop but gave up as I just couldn't get to grips with the movement controls.

Hello! I am a 44 year old woman and I love gaming. I particularly loved Assassins Creed Valhalla, the Ghost of Tsushima and Red Dead Redemption 2. All really interesting and beautiful.

I was given Elden Ring for my birthday and am struggling with it. What am I missing? Or is it just not very talky and quite difficult?

I started it today on the Switch. It's pretty easy and intuitive. It's showing its age a little with graphics and glitches but good fun so far, I meant to play for half an hour tonight just to get started and ended up playing nearly 3 hours...sigh...here we go.

I don't see why a game is like re-reading a book. It has a start/middle/end like the typical book. Unless you're talking about competitive online games, which are more like repeatedly playing a sport or board game.

I suppose it's whether you value the intellectual abilities/knowledge gained from reading or the physical jumper gained from knitting. I'd defo rather be stuck somewhere with an affcianado of the arts than a good cross stitcher. Would likely be much more intellectually stimulating.

I've see it about cycling, going to the gym, golf, going to the pub and playing football though! At least with gaming they're in the house

That's out of order, now kindly pickle off.

There are many adult gamers, then cosplayers etc, very big and profitable industries, plus most age ratings are ment to be 18+

I dable on call of duty,. warzone , but then I need an intellectual fix, too. So I have an hour here and there most days. But overall I do prefer studies of different documentaries.

Back in the day, when in my teens, completing, halo on Xbox as the sun was rising at 4am, and next day had to be in college too, now days hardly make it past 12am, before I'm zzzzzz

I play Animal Crossing and Sims, and Pokemon, also the old Mario NES games. And Runescape. What other games would I like? I feel like I'm not a proper gamer, whenever people ask what games I play I feel embarrassed to tell them (my problem I know, I think others are super cool for playing them!)

I'd just have a look around on sites like GAME or Amazon and look for games which are 5-7 years old and going cheap for your console. So you spend £2 on an old copy of Tomb Raider and love it - you can then go and buy others in the series. Or Assassins Creed, Call of Duty, whatever floats your boat. And on the flip slide, if you don't like a game, you've not lost lots of money.

Meant to add - there are endless youtube channels featuring people playing games, watching those can give a wee flavour of what the game is like.

I'm 36 and a gamer. I met my other half gaming on Xbox live playing call of duty. We now have a little boy and We still find time to play together.
we play COD, Forza Horizon, Fall Guys, Back for Blood and a few more.
i also like games like two point hospital, Jurassic park evolution and just started Two Point Campus!
we both have the Xbox Series X - he pre ordered his, but when I got round to buying mine....I did feel a slight bit guilty that I was spending all that money....but then told myself that it is really my only 'hobby' - I don't buy expensive things in other areas so why not!
Its a great escape and we love it.

My husband and I have been gamers for years. You're right OP, it's just a hobby like anything else.

Everyone on Mumsnet is perfect though, don't forget that.

Posted too soon.
Any WOW players here? 😬
Not any more mind, 2 year old DD to contend with nowadays.

I play Halo and FS20 nowadays.