What happens when we get older? More opportunities and more responsabilities. I’ve played videogames for the better part of 2o years now and I still remember the first time I played a game: it was at the 7-11 around the corner from my house.I was six or seven and my dad would have me tag along with him and he would always let me play a game of Star Wars. I mean the oooooold school Star Wars, the one that looked like a geometry problem.
I was too short to see the screen, so he would pick me up so I could reach the controller and see the screen.Being so young, I sucked, of course. The thing that happened was that I was and have been hooked ever since. So, what has happened since? I’m 28 years old now, I have two kids, a wife and I went back to school.
I have a year left before I get my bachelors in Liberal Studies. Let me tell ya, there’s not a lot of time to play much anymore. I have more than a full load.I still get on Xbox LIVE for some Call of Duty 4, but just for a couple of quick games and I’m out. So, now what kind of games do I look for? I’ve been trying to play games that I can jump in and out of real quick, just so I can take a quick break from my studying, kids and responsibilities. That’s what games are for, right? It’s an escape.
Has anyone else out there had to give up their old gaming lifestyle because they have more on their plate? If so please leave a comment on this post.With that said, here’s something that has changed in the last couple of years: the number of games that I own, that I actually beat! The last game I beat was Crackdown and before that, damn! I have a huge pile of shame, which is a phrase that I can’t take credit for. I have a ton that I wish I could devote more time to; Portal for example.
I know, it’s a crime to own such a great game and not have gotten all the way through. Think you can top that? Then let me know!
4 Comments
I think many face this ‘problem’. A lot of old clanmates I used to hang out with when I was younger quit playing all games and devoted their attention to other stuff in real life. Just a bunch focused on other games.
Same goes for the pro scene I think? When you’re younger you have all the time of the world. Then you get older and got to make a decission. The few that get paid can continue playing a lot, others get to finish studies or start careers etc.
(On a sidenote: Why is that sometimes GGL is filled with spam advertisement popups and stuff? Reason why I hardly visited the website for a period of time).
The point you’re making is exactly why I had to give up on RPGs. I couldn’t devote and still can’t devote that much time to them. Some of my friends on Live have dropped me messages asking where I’ve been. I jump in and out so quick, just so I can get a quick game in as a break from what I got going on.
Gone are the days where I hacked and slashed to try and find the next unique so I could feel, well, indestruktible. Gone are the days where I’d ctf until night literally becomes day. And so gone are the days where we would lan party and play 4 vs. 4 to see who had better group micro/macro skills. Work and other responsibilities have taken over completely. If only that toys’r'us jangle rang true…
Exactly! Those days are long gone. My wife have been living together going on two years and my son turns one on Saturday. So, in the last couple of years my playing time has steadily been declining. Even on days when I “think” there’s nothing to do, something just seems to pop up. I do miss spending all day playing Tekken, Soul Caliber and of course some form of Street Fighter. Aww, those were the days. Or were they?