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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To start playing video games?

171 replies

Daisy523 · 12/08/2023 22:19

I was never crazy into video games like a lot of people around me, but I always played Sims pretty regularly as I was growing up. I stopped playing around the age of 19/20, when I was deep into college and starting my career. It’s been a few years since, and I’m pretty settled in my career and have graduated not once, but twice.

Now that that’s all done with, I’m finding myself with nothing to do. I work and sleep, and don’t do much else. I have severe social anxiety, so going out or partying was never something that interested me, and I’m not too bothered about tv or books. I don’t have any other hobbies I enjoy either. The only thing that looks somewhat fun is picking Sims back up.

Problem is, I feel stuck in the idea that video games (Sims especially) are childish wastes of time. That it’s stupid for me to spend time playing video games when I’m in my mid 20s.

AIBU?

OP posts:
McKenzieFriend001 · 12/08/2023 23:58

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I actually cried when I lost my first horse. I still remember where I was, and in my panic I didn't administer horse revival potion and I didn't return to a previous save. I called my OH and I sobbed down the phone. I bloody love that game. The visuals are stunning.

McKenzieFriend001 · 13/08/2023 00:01

Oh - and OP, Stardew Valley is a wonderful wonderful game too.

We played Super Mario this afternoon and Mario Kart this evening - it means we get to hang out with the kids and laugh at how shit I am at racing, and how shit they are at bouncing on turtles / mushrooms and knocking seven bells out of Bowser's mates.

TheSilentSister · 13/08/2023 00:01

In my 50's and I play Minecraft. I learnt how to play a few years ago to help my son and got a bit hooked. I'm proud to say that I've just become a Moderator on a server and I love it. It's creative and takes your mind off things. It can be social too if you get caught up in the on-line chats.
Some people turn their noses up at gaming but it's not harming anyone and if you enjoy it, not neglecting other stuff, go for it.

UpAndAwayyy · 13/08/2023 00:05

"If you're looking for a hobby as well as gaming please do something fitness related like weight lifting or something else strength based"

Why? Confused

PacManMom · 13/08/2023 00:07

I play Stardew valley, sims, Disney dreamlight valley, Mario kart, the list is endless. I'm a mum of two, ones in his teens!

YANBU. Video games are a awesome stress relief.

TheGirlFromTomorrow · 13/08/2023 00:11

R2 has got to be the most beautiful game ever made. It had me literally sobbing over a horse too!

I love all the GTAs too. Trevor Phillips has me in absolute stitches.

IdleAnimations · 13/08/2023 00:14

I’m a massive gamer, huge PC set up on a giant TV which is my price and joy. Multiple consoles and a retro gaming Pi set up. Am I ashamed in my 30s? No, because it’s not hurting anyone and I love gaming.

I always find it interesting that women are often judged or feel embarrassed for gaming whereas for lads it’s considered normal. I’m an introvert so gaming soothes me, I’m done feeling guilty that I could’ve learnt a language or a new skill in the time I’ve spent; I need the relaxation it affords me.

I would recommend cities skylines if you enjoy the sims. I’ve had hundreds of hours in that game! Sims became too buggy soul less for me personally. Not a patch on Sims 2 or 3. But if you enjoy it, then enjoy it!

YesitsBess · 13/08/2023 00:18

UpAndAwayyy · 13/08/2023 00:05

"If you're looking for a hobby as well as gaming please do something fitness related like weight lifting or something else strength based"

Why? Confused

Don't feed the troll.

YesitsBess · 13/08/2023 00:20

IdleAnimations · 13/08/2023 00:14

I’m a massive gamer, huge PC set up on a giant TV which is my price and joy. Multiple consoles and a retro gaming Pi set up. Am I ashamed in my 30s? No, because it’s not hurting anyone and I love gaming.

I always find it interesting that women are often judged or feel embarrassed for gaming whereas for lads it’s considered normal. I’m an introvert so gaming soothes me, I’m done feeling guilty that I could’ve learnt a language or a new skill in the time I’ve spent; I need the relaxation it affords me.

I would recommend cities skylines if you enjoy the sims. I’ve had hundreds of hours in that game! Sims became too buggy soul less for me personally. Not a patch on Sims 2 or 3. But if you enjoy it, then enjoy it!

You literally have learned a language and a new skill/skillset 😃

tiberseptim · 13/08/2023 00:29

LOL, is this a race to find the oldest gamer?
I am 71 and have been playing video games since we bought a Megadrive for my daughter in about 1990.
I like RPGs best, have played all the Elder Scrolls games apart from Arena. My son and I are currently enjoying playing Skyrim using the Skyrim Together Reborn mod which allows you to play Skyrim multilayer- it's a bit buggy, but lots of fun.

tiberseptim · 13/08/2023 00:31

Whoops,that should be multilayer, not layer...

Nb. DH thinks video games are boring.

tiberseptim · 13/08/2023 00:32

Dammit, autocorrect! Multiplayer!

TheSilentSister · 13/08/2023 00:37

My ex mocks me every time he visits our son and tells me I should get out more. He goes to the pub, spends £30+ a night, comes back drunk and obnoxious - 'oh but at least I'm speaking to real people'. I play a wide variety of games with my son, take an interest in what he's doing and yes, we also go out and do other stuff. Gaming is just a past time, like any other, not weird at all.

Butterflywings2 · 13/08/2023 00:40

If it gives you enjoyment do not worry about l what anyone thinks. Love gaming for an hour or two a day, let's you switch off and escape reality.

CrunchyCarrot · 13/08/2023 00:45

I'm on a virtual animal game site and have been playing there for nearly 2 decades! I'm fast approaching 70! Many others are also my age or even older, although some are younger.

Basically, there's no such thing as being 'too old' for gaming!

YesitsBess · 13/08/2023 01:26

TheSilentSister · 13/08/2023 00:37

My ex mocks me every time he visits our son and tells me I should get out more. He goes to the pub, spends £30+ a night, comes back drunk and obnoxious - 'oh but at least I'm speaking to real people'. I play a wide variety of games with my son, take an interest in what he's doing and yes, we also go out and do other stuff. Gaming is just a past time, like any other, not weird at all.

This always made me laugh. Yeah OK, you're talking to "real people"...but from my experience of working behind a bar 90% of them are tinfoil hat wearing loons.

Meanwhile, my goose game.....

YesitsBess · 13/08/2023 01:27

tiberseptim · 13/08/2023 00:32

Dammit, autocorrect! Multiplayer!

I knew what you meant!

jamfirstcreamsecond · 13/08/2023 01:30

Another older gamer here. In 50's and loving it. Currently going through all the tomb raider games.

I couldn't give a rat's arse if folk think I'm wasting time. I'm an adult and one of the benefits is that I can, pretty much, do what I like.

For those who mentioned Stray; it's brilliant. Another recommendation is, what remains of Edith Finch.

Go for it OP. My stress levels are so much better now. It's pretty easy to shrug off the day when you're fighting baddies or solving puzzles.

Nemesias · 13/08/2023 06:49

The original red dead is coming to switch soon so I might have to get that. I do think red dead 2 is better, that probably is the best game I’ve ever played. I’m waiting for baldurs gate 3 to come out on ps5 so my DH and I can play it together

RonObvious · 13/08/2023 07:05

YesitsBess · 12/08/2023 23:23

My son and his friends all very quietly play farm simulator.

How have you got on with Roblox? I've avoided it in favour of Minecraft because it seems to be disproportionately open to weird shit that I don't want the kids encountering.

Show quote history

We’ve never had a problem with it, although my kids were under strict orders not to talk with online people they didn’t know at first. I’m a bit more relaxed about it now, as I think they need to learn to navigate through that stuff a bit. You can also put the child settings on, which restricts a lot of the games they can access (although they then miss out on a lot of the best ones!). The language filters on Roblox seem pretty robust - anything with the potential to be swearing is starred out. My daughter’s dyslexic, and it used to look like she was cursing like a sailor, as the filters were assuming all of her spelling mistakes were swearing!

There is weird stuff on there, but you’re more likely to get bored by them playing endless rounds of fashion games where they choose outfits and then compete for the best outfit on catwalks. And I will never admit to the amount of time I have spent on Bee Simulator…

Abracadabra12345 · 13/08/2023 08:39

Mid 60s and I'm actually looking to get into games as I think it's better than passively watching TV. Eons ago, I played FarmVille and loved it

burnoutbabe · 13/08/2023 08:46

@jamfirstcreamsecond ah yes edith finch is good

It's one of a good range of story games/walking simulators. Some puzzles but no actual dying.

Things like gone or fire watch. Games like tell my why are similar, 5 episodes, this one about 2 twins, 1 trans, who are dealing with their mothers death in Alaska. Or life is strange about a young girl with time rewinding powers. Both very well written. More story than game.

(Loved them as a break inbetween very gamey games with stats and inventory and levelling up)

Shoxfordian · 13/08/2023 08:50

I’m in my late thirties, bought a switch to play animal crossing a few years ago and love it. I’m liking potion permit at the moment but there’s nothing wrong with liking games op - have fun

MoralOrLegal · 13/08/2023 08:50

Currently playing RDR2 (it was a present from my DC). Going to put in a word for "The Witcher 3" which is infinitely better than the TV show. Both of them are a bit violent for people who mainly enjoy the Sims, worth watching a gameplay video first.

Minfilia · 13/08/2023 09:16

RonObvious · 12/08/2023 23:07

I play Minecraft, Fortnite and Roblox with the kids - good bonding time, and lets me spy on their online interactions! You want to talk about wasting time? I don’t even want to think about how many hours I have spent playing “House Flipper”. It’s a game where you literally clean and redecorate houses. I am so addicted.

I love house flipper Grin

Gaming is my main hobby (I’m 38). I’ve been gaming since I was 3, playing with my dad on a Commodore 64, so I don’t see it changing any time soon…

Sims 4 is free to play now (bass game) so worth a shot. Stray was good but short and a bit confusing at times. Only worth buying when it’s on sale IMO.

Planet Zoo is wonderful if you’re creative. So relaxing.

Same for animal crossing but that’s only available on switch.

And for VR, Beat Saber is awesome. So much fun and a real workout!