Right age for gaming?

[uberpwner93]

Ever since I was 5, I have been very fond of video games. Now, I am 14 and turning 15 in September. I consider my self a hardcore gamer. I look at Joystiq, Destructoid, Kotaku, and many other gaming sites regularly, and spend a majority of my time gaming or doing something gaming related, and I am very happy with what I do.

But should I keep on playing, or stop and "get a life". After all, I am 14.

[Kendal]

Whatever you do, do not hang yourself because you can't get a Wii!

[uberpwner93]

Whatever you do, do not hang yourself because you can't get a Wii!

I already have a Wii and I am not that stupid. Plus, I posted that thread

[Sofa King Kool]

Do you have social skills?

[Moxio]

Just put some attribute points in Social, Personality, and Appearance skills and you should be able to have Sex with a lvl. 3 girl. Just bring a Stamina potion.

[darkslime]

Do you have social skills? Social skills from someone with the username uberpwner93?

[Moxio]

Social skills from someone with the username uberpwner93?

Hahaha.

[uberpwner93]

Do you have social skills?

Yeah, actually. I talk to a lot of people at my school. Plus, I am going into high school so I should branch a lot more because I know a lot of upperclassmen.

[uberpwner93]

Social skills from someone with the username uberpwner93?

I get that a lot, so don't think your clever for saying that. It just proves how immature you really are.

[darkslime]

Do you have any hobbies other than video games?

[darkslime]

I get that a lot, so don't think your clever for saying that. It just proves how immature you really are. You get it alot. How many topics do you post asking if you have social skills?

[uberpwner93]

Do you have any hobbies other than video games?

Yeah. I play guitar, I like to draw, listen to music(if you count that as a hobby), and I like to read.

But these are usually when I get bored of gaming for a bit or no games are around.

[uberpwner93]

You get it alot. How many topics do you post asking if you have social skills?

I meant I get a lot of people making fun of my username. I pretty much use it for every website I use.

[Sofa King Kool]

Yeah, actually. I talk to a lot of people at my school. Plus, I am going into high school so I should branch a lot more because I know a lot of upperclassmen.

As long as you've developed social skills, I see no problem with it. I know people who have done nothing but play video games and watch anime since they were four. That's not an exaggeration either. I mean, they quite literally did nothing else. Like, people would call them and ask to hang out and they'd stay home and play games.

Naturally, the kid I'm thinking of had absolutely zero social skills, and it's his own damn fault. Seriously, in high school, this kid would sit by himself at lunch and watch anime on his iPod. He played his Gameboy in class, wouldn't shut the fuck up about Hellsing, and wore the same Zelda shirt every day.

I sorta dragged this on a bit, but my point is, as long as you know how to be social, there's nothing wrong with playing a lot of games. Just know your limits.

[uberpwner93]

As long as you've developed social skills, I see no problem with it. I know people who have done nothing but play video games and watch anime since they were four. That's not an exaggeration either. I mean, they quite literally did nothing else. Like, people would call them and ask to hang out and they'd stay home and play games.

Naturally, the kid I'm thinking of has absolutely zero social skills, and it's his own damn fault.

I have a cousin who is like that.

[Kendal]

I already have a Wii and I am not that stupid. Plus, I posted that thread

Really? Wow...small forum. I wonder why I posted that... :D

[Sofa King Kool]

Really? Wow...small forum. I wonder why I posted that... :D

He posted the repost thread. There are currently two Wii suicide threads.

[Kendal]

Maybe a third!

[Chase]

Why would you not be able to game and socialize? I have been gaming since I was very young (I'm 24 now), and can't say it deters my social life. In fact, I can remember instances where each videogame system has aided/enhanced my social life. For example, in the NES generation, I played with different neighbors for different games. One kid had Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project; another, Q*Bert. When we weren't riding our bikes, or exploring nearby hills, we passed time by gaming. I have a story for every console gaming system - minus the Wii and PS3. Long as it complements your life, there shouldn't be any issue.

[xeno]

neh, you never to old for gaming! as long as you talk to other people and get a job when your old enough. Also try and get in the habbit of doing your HW before you playvideogames!

[HotShotX]

I'm 23, I've been gaming since I was 6, I grew up as complete nerd, didn't exercise, didn't shave, and was a bit of a social outcast. Then in 10th grade a friend of mine got me into wrestling, which caused me to lose 20 lbs in the first week alone.

I'm in college now, finishing up a Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, I'm in ok shape (still need to work out more), I earned a Red Belt in Tae Kwon Do, I'm doing research for NASA, and plan on attending Graduate School in the Spring. I've been dating the beautiful CrimsonSnipette for over 2 years now...

and I still game at least 2 hours a day, more on the weekends, and am Captain of the CAG Grifball Team (which is even more of a gaming investment).

So no, there isn't any point in your life where will you have to give up gaming to proceed. You will however, need to balance gaming with other life activities, such as working out and relationships, because those will require a decent amount of dedication and love on your part to succeed.

So to answer your question, you already have a life (just to note, any life that requires the approval or validation of your peers is NOT a life), and the only way you're ever going to "not have a life" is if you ever stop trying to improve on yours.

For more answers to these questions, and any of life's other questions, please purchase my new Bestselling Book: I Don't Bang Supermodels, and that's OK with me.

I will admit however, that Crimson is extremely cute.

~HotShotX

[bostonfrontier]

Can you talk to girls? hot looking one, not fat ugly ones.........and not the ones that don't talk back to you either

[leveskikesko]

Be yourself, and don't sell out for others. Odds are you'll meet better friends, and you'll like yourself more.

[darthbudge]

There is nothing wrong with gaming until you die.

However, the problem starts if you are so obsessed with them, that they become the only thing you do with your life.

[The Mana Knight]

Ever since I was 5, I have been very fond of video games. Now, I am 14 and turning 15 in September. I consider my self a hardcore gamer. I look at Joystiq, Destructoid, Kotaku, and many other gaming sites regularly, and spend a majority of my time gaming or doing something gaming related, and I am very happy with what I do.

But should I keep on playing, or stop and "get a life". After all, I am 14.Sounds like me in ways, but I'm 25 (about to be 26 soon). I spend ALL my day playing games, CAG (or video game related forums), reading gaming news at several sites, etc.

EDIT: But to be honest, don't get too involved within gaming. Once you build up a crazy addiction, it's tough to break out. Sometimes, I'd trade away ALL my video games for a better social life, good job, license, etc.

[HotShotX]

There is nothing wrong with gaming until you die.

Absolutely, if you want a real, honest to God reason to keep gaming, spend about an hour in a retirement home, and watch was the residents there do for entertainment. Sorry, but Bingo and shuffling about the halls aren't my thing.

We take it for granted now, but I'll thank God every day that I have a gaming console when I'm 80, and still cursing out 10 year olds online, while the rest of the populace who shunned gaming to "grow up" will be wondering when their kids are coming to rescue them from "prison".

~HotShotX

[Nathan_Sama]

If you join band, it will be your life.

[neocisco]

You don't have to stop playing games, just don't let it be your life. Moderate it with other things/interests.

[Halo05]

Don't stop if you don't want to. I'm 29 and I think I have a pretty normal life in addition to the fucking mountain of videogames in my house (MY house, not my parents house).

[StinkyCheese]

He posted the repost thread. There are currently two Wii suicide threads.

and I own one of them!

<-- so proud!

[urzishra14]

my suggestion.. play as many of those really long winded RPGs as you can when you are 14-18.. after you go off to college and get a full time job, you'll have less and less time to attempt those..

other than that.. try to join an after school activity.. when i was in school Acting and theatre got me into a group of friends I may not have ever got into.. I also started a punk band and played a lot of fun shows.. the only thing in high school I wish I would have done was science fair but I just didn't have enough time in the day to do so.. it was the only other thing I was halfway interested in..

[BigSpoonyBard]

I'm almost 30 and still gaming. In fact, when I mentioned selling my older systems, my wife refused to allow it. That's love, folks.

[lilboo]

<~ agrees with everyone else.

Just make sure you go to school, and do your homework. Make sure you at least get out with friends a few times a week. Make sure you (eventually) get a job and make that a priority.

Any free time you have, there's really nothing wrong with making gaming a hobby. Even if it turned out to be your only hobby. As far as I know, it's pretty much my only one, but I balance that out with a job and going out w/ people a few times a week and have a pretty healthy relationship.

I don't know what it is about that age, but I know a lot of people (myself included) who felt like..they should give up on gaming because they wanted a 'normal social life'. I'm so glad I didn't.

[CouRageouS]

When I was in high school, I spent what little cash I had on clothes and social outings. It wasn't until the cash flow came in that I was able to fund all my hobbies, gaming included. If you don't have time now, its always fun to play catch up when the past year or two of gaming becomes really cheap.

I will say gaming as an adult versus as a kid is a lot better though. You can more or less buy whatever you want. I'm only 22 but just over the last couple years alone I've bought so much more crap than I know what to do with.

[Danimal]

You don't have to stop playing games, just don't let it be your life. Moderate it with other things/interests.Completely agree with this. Moderation is always the key; anything, even good things like gaming, can become a problem in your life if you let it get out of balance and become all you do.

I'm 42, and I've been gaming pretty much since videogames were invented. I played a lot of games all through high school, but also found time to have a very active social life, including dating, and playing basketball for my school. Now I'm married and have two kids. I still play as often as I can, but obviously being a husband and a dad comes first for me.

So yeah, no need to stop gaming. Just always make sure to maintain some balance, and you'll be fine.

[SpazX]

^.....fucking pepsiman

Anyway, game or don't game, have a social life or don't have a social life, who the fuck cares? If you don't then it doesn't matter.

So if you want to play games and have a social life then make sure to balance the time to make it work out, if you only want to game or only want to have a social life, then do that. Whatever makes you happy.

[neocisco]

uberpwner93 dont listen 2 the postesr on page 1 of 2 ( didnt read page 2 oudlent stand page 1 so y would ir ead 2?and theyre mostly a**holes looking 4 attention. os i will be serious i think about 8 yrs. of age is right age 2 start gaming... its a little young but not 2 yung and little odl but not to old so its all right....

Not only is your post nearly unintelligible but your response doesn't even address his query.

ur post dont mak sense und yur anser is rong

[uberpwner93]

CAG Grifball Team

A CAG Grifball Team? Is their anyway I can be a part of that.

BTW, I recently received the complete Red Vs Blue series on DVD if that is any consolation.

[JMEPO]

As long as you have a stable ballance between your social life and gaming I see no problems.

[Sir_Fragalot]

Ever since I was 5, I have been very fond of video games. Now, I am 14 and turning 15 in September. I consider my self a hardcore gamer. I look at Joystiq, Destructoid, Kotaku, and many other gaming sites regularly, and spend a majority of my time gaming or doing something gaming related, and I am very happy with what I do.

But should I keep on playing, or stop and "get a life". After all, I am 14.

Don't stop what you love. Seriously, keep gaming. Although you do not want to end up some fat nerd living in his parents basement. Try to socialize with the people in your school (even if most of them are idiots, I am sure you can find some good friends), and well just try to live your life. You don't want people to think, oh this guy is a nerd, lets not even bother with him, but then again you don't have to so intertwined with what they are liking. Be yourself (and if you like gaming well maybe you can hook other people on gaming), but be open to meeting new people, and also do your schoolwork.

I actually got lucky, because a lot of my friends from college are avid gamers. :D

[uberpwner93]

Don't stop what you love. Seriously, keep gaming. Although you do not want to end up some fat nerd living in his parents basement. Try to socialize with the people in your school (even if most of them are idiots, I am sure you can find some good friends), and well just try to live your life. You don't want people to think, oh this guy is a nerd, lets not even bother with him, but then again you don't have to so intertwined with what they are liking. Be yourself (and if you like gaming well maybe you can hook other people on gaming), but be open to meeting new people, and also do your schoolwork.

I actually got lucky, because a lot of my friends from college are avid gamers. :D

I do socialize with people in my school. But my school is kinda like an inner city school. The kind populated with "gangstaz" and crap like that. But all my close friends game a lot. We even have a game night once a month. But at my school, it's hard to walk down the hallway in an Iron Maiden shirt and not be criticized. I get crap all the time just because I like heavy metal and video games. It's either "Do you worship Satan?", or "You stupid nerd, get a life."

[Bathory]

I do socialize with people in my school. But my school is kinda like an inner city school. The kind populated with "gangstaz" and crap like that. But all my close friends game a lot. We even have a game night once a month. But at my school, it's hard to walk down the hallway in an Iron Maiden shirt and not be criticized. I get crap all the time just because I like heavy metal and video games. It's either "Do you worship Satan?", or "You stupid nerd, get a life."

The real problem is that you wear an Iron Maiden shirt.;)
And you should get to know these "gangstaz".

[HotShotX]

I do socialize with people in my school. But my school is kinda like an inner city school. The kind populated with "gangstaz" and crap like that. But all my close friends game a lot. We even have a game night once a month. But at my school, it's hard to walk down the hallway in an Iron Maiden shirt and not be criticized. I get crap all the time just because I like heavy metal and video games. It's either "Do you worship Satan?", or "You stupid nerd, get a life."

Might be good to counter with "Is it true you'll put spinning rims on anything?"

and last I checked, Iron Maiden was cool, diversifying your music tastes is almost always in your own benefit.

as for the Grifball team, we've already got 7 players, so were definitely full for the season, sorry.

~HotShotX

[VAD3R or Fro]

I started playing when I was eight years old. I am seventeen now enjoying my last real summer waiting to go back to school to be a senior. Next summer I will have to get a job and car maybe even go to a community college. I say play as much as you can during your teen years as you might have less once your out of school, but never quit dude. 8-)

[Gentlegamer]

I consider my self a hardcore gamer.

But should I keep on playing, or stop and "get a life". After all, I am 14.The second you refer to yourself as a "hardcore gamer," yes, you need to pull back and get a life.

[Gentlegamer]

I do socialize with people in my school. But my school is kinda like an inner city school. The kind populated with "gangstaz" and crap like that. But all my close friends game a lot. We even have a game night once a month. But at my school, it's hard to walk down the hallway in an Iron Maiden shirt and not be criticized. I get crap all the time just because I like heavy metal and video games. It's either "Do you worship Satan?", or "You stupid nerd, get a life."
UP THE IRONS!!!!

Just remember, it's ok to wear "normal" clothes, too.

[neocisco]

Ask the "gangstaz" where they get those hats with the bill on the side. The only hats I can find have the bill on the front.

[StinkyCheese]

Ask the "gangstaz" where they get those hats with the bill on the side. The only hats I can find have the bill on the front.

:rofl:

[dmaul1114]

There's no age to stop gaming. It's like any other hobby. If you're not obsessed with it to the point that it's hurting more important aspects of life (school, work, social life, family life etc.) then there's nothing wrong with it.

I'm 29 and I still game, albeit much less than I used to since I have a lot less free time than I used to. I am losing interest a bit as I get busier, but I'll keep gaming as long as I have the time and interest in doing so.

[SerenityKry]

There is no age limit to playing video games and enjoying it more the most things in life. I was about 5 years old when I sat around and played my Nintendo, sure it was basic stuff like Duck Hunt but man I loved it.

I'm now 22, I work a decent full time job, I have a more then amazing fiance who doesn't game himself but has no porblem with it being my personal hobby. I have a great group of friends whom I see at LEAST twice a week.
And I've never stopped gaming.

I spend time reading up on gaming news when I have some downtime, I play video games whenever I get an open chance. Heck, I spend most of my lunch breaks glued to my PSP or DS.

You just have to make sure it's not the ONLY thing you're doing. On the weekends I spend time with friends, my fiance races quads for a hobby, so of course every weekend we're out at the races hanging out with our friends.

I make sure that my family and my fiance get attention from me before my consoles do always.

I'm at work 8-10 hours a day, sometimes I really have to fit gaming in where I can.

I have a life and I am a gamer, you can have both and should never stop playing games as long as you know how to balance it.

[tehweezner]

There's no age to stop gaming. It's like any other hobby. If you're not obsessed with it to the point that it's hurting more important aspects of life (school, work, social life, family life etc.) then there's nothing wrong with it.

I'm 29 and I still game, albeit much less than I used to since I have a lot less free time than I used to. I am losing interest a bit as I get busier, but I'll keep gaming as long as I have the time and interest in doing so.

well said. i'll stop when gaming when i lose interest in gaming. i also don't get how people try to separate it from other sedentary activity like DVDs or TV.

[pitfallharry219]

I have a more then amazing fiance

Aren't you the one that posted this thead?

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184708

I hope you're talking about a different guy now.