Gamers and Their Kids

Frankski

Frankski

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Hey

Any other CAGs have kids out there? Currently hanging out with my 16 month old. I've found in the last year and change that most of my gaming habits have significantly been altered (not surprisingly). I remember getting so mad about games that only offered a story of 8-15 hours. Nowadays, that 8-15 hour game can take my up to a month to complete.

Anyways, just wondering about any other changes CAGs have had to make for adjusting to their newest little time sink.

-Frankski

PS- I'm reminded of a Dilbert comic where he's talking to his g/f and he says that he likes spending time with her as opposed to his computer, with his thought bubble asking her not to ask about the laptop. Funny stuff.
 
[quote name='Sofa King Kool']Yup, having a kid means kissing your "me time" goodbye, which is why I don't plan on ever having any.[/QUOTE]

This.
 
[quote name='pacifickarma']I've got my 1st one coming in January. But I haven't had "me" time since I got married 3 years ago...[/QUOTE]


That's another thing I think I might avoid doing...
 
I found that portable gaming greatly increased with a child. Plus I currently only own a Wii for home console this gen. I never have enough time to play mature games. I agree on game length. I prefer games that are shorter. I just beat Ghostbusters, and loved it but the length was perfect to me.
 
[quote name='Sofa King Kool']Yup, having a kid means kissing your "me time" goodbye, which is why I don't plan on ever having any.[/QUOTE]

We don't want another you running around.

[quote name='Dead of Knight']This.[/QUOTE]

Or you.

:]
 
My kids are a bit older; 12 and 10, but that presents a different way to lose gaming time. Now I have to share the TV with other gamers in the house (primarily my 12 year old). So, apart from all the other time obligations that come with being a parent, even when I do get a free hour or so, sometimes my son has beaten me to the TV. (We have all of our systems hooked up to the same set)

I work nights and get home around 6:00 a.m., so in the summer, I try to play while they're still sleeping in. Once school starts back up, my gametime will mostly be in the mornings after I've dropped them off at school.

[quote name='Frankski'] Nowadays, that 8-15 hour game can take my up to a month to complete.[/QUOTE] Absolutely. Same for me.
 
I have a 3 year old and a 19 month old and have been married for almost 10 years. before kids i would come home from work sometimes and play halo 2 till bedtime. i obviously dont do that anymore. these days I get game time in mainly when the kids are asleep (bedtime is 8pm) or napping. i still get more than enough game time in and it helps me pick and choose what games to spend my time/money on and appreciate them more. Those of you not willing to better your lives with a wife and/or children because you wont be able to play games as much are either still dumb teenagers or just dumb grown ups.
 
Mine are 19,18, and 16. You do get a bit of me time back the older they get.

But the damn games are so much harder now. :)
Or I'm just slower.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']Those of you not willing to better your lives with a wife and/or children because you wont be able to play games as much are either still dumb teenagers or just dumb grown ups.[/QUOTE]


Well, I think that's painting it a bit too simply. I'm not avoiding a kid/wife just to increase my game time, that would be stupid. I'm just not to keen on the idea of dedicated all my free time to someone else...
 
[quote name='Malik112099']these days I get game time in mainly when the kids are asleep (bedtime is 8pm) or napping...and it helps me pick and choose what games to spend my time/money on and appreciate them more.[/QUOTE]

This. And having to catch up on dvr'd tv shows and movies from Netflix are the other diversions from gaming.
 
[quote name='The Crotch']I wish to hear from io on this matter.[/QUOTE]
I don't trust his memory to be accurate. Age is a terrible thing.

It's hard enough to find gaming time right now; what will happen in 7 months is terrifying!
 
[quote name='Sofa King Kool']Well, I think that's painting it a bit too simply. I'm not avoiding a kid/wife just to increase my game time, that would be stupid. I'm just not to keen on the idea of dedicated all my free time to someone else...[/QUOTE]


my free time is my time....you just have to realize that once you get married/start a family your previous free time gets divided between them and "me" time....if all of most of our free time was spent on our family we wouldnt have time to play games or be a CAG for that matter....
 
[quote name='Malik112099'] Those of you not willing to better your lives with a wife and/or children because you wont be able to play games as much are either still dumb teenagers or just dumb grown ups.[/QUOTE]

Oh please don't give me that self righteous bullcrap that people who decide not to have crotchfruit are constantly fed.
 
i have a 3 yr old and a 15 month old i find that i nolonger have time to play sand box type games. get me in the action so i can shoot someone in the face and turn off the system before the kids wake up. case in point -army of two-
 
Frankski, you and I are in a similar situation. My son is 17 months right now, so I do most of my gaming at night after my son is in bed and my pregnant wife falls asleep on the sofa. I'll usually get 1-3 hours in depending on how tired I am. It's the best time to play since I don't have to worry about my son seeing or hearing something inappropriate when I play more mature games. The benefits of having a family more than makes up for less gaming time, so I don't mind the change.

Besides the time element, my gaming has adjusted to not only being a hobby that I use for stress relief at the end of the day, but also a way to spend time with the family. I really look forward to tossing in Rock Band every few days when we have an early dinner to play with my wife while my son "sings" along on the mic. Of course I'm really looking forward to when he gets older and can play games with me :)

Having less time to play also helps me save money since by the time I finish a game, all the "hot" new games that have come out have dropped in price. I've also learned to leverage our local library (which carries a great selection of new 360 games) to save money on games that I would normally purchase, beat, and then resell at a loss.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Oh please don't give me that self righteous bullcrap that people who decide not to have crotchfruit are constantly fed.[/QUOTE]

Im not giving you self righteous anything. If the only thing you plan on doing with your life is video games then so be it. If your reasoning behind NOT getting into a relationship or having kids (even though you want to) is video games then you are a Grade A moron.

I dont totally understand what you are trying to say though....people who dont have kids are constantly fed....please explain what the hell you are talking about...

Also, you were once a crotchfruit yourself.....
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Oh please don't give me that self righteous bullcrap that people who decide not to have crotchfruit are constantly fed.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. It's personal choice. Now let's stay on topic. If people want to discuss the merits of having/not having kids, start another thread and GTFO of this one.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']Im not giving you self righteous anything. If the only thing you plan on doing with your life is video games then so be it. If your reasoning behind NOT getting into a relationship or having kids (even though you want to) is video games then you are a Grade A moron.
[/QUOTE]

Did I say that was my reasoning? Sofa King Kool and I said we didn't want to get rid of "me" time, which you pretty much have to give up when you have kids. I'm getting married next year, so I'm not avoiding a relationship just to "play videogames" like you claim. Where the hell did you get that we don't want kids so we can play videogames all the time?
 
[quote name='mzbagel']I've also learned to leverage our local library (which carries a great selection of new 360 games) to save money on games that I would normally purchase, beat, and then resell at a loss.[/QUOTE]

What? Your library lends out games? That's crazy! I doubt that the CPL does that around here, though. I'll have to check that out next time I'm at a branch.
 
MZBagel,

Yes! I haven't bought a full-price new game since Smash Brothers Brawl (a store in the area broke the street date by like a full week), and before that for a long time simply out of being a CAG (and a regular ol' cheap ass). With the kid though, it's like triple-certain that happens.

I recently got (and beat) (and was disappointed by) Prince of Persia for PS3. I spent 20 bucks on it used, and then ranted (in a bad way) about it to my friends. My one friend who buys a new game seemingly every week commented about how he played that game like 8 months ago and for me to get with the times. (He is engaged now and knows that once the wife enters the picture his wanton spending/staying up til 3am playing games will end, let alone any kids).


And I can't wait to play games with my kid. Another friend of mine has a 7 year old and she's played Smash Brothers with us since she was like 5 (but only recently got good enough to hang with us on team play). So much fun to play with her. I also loan her pokemon games for her DS (she got one last XMas) for the long road trips they take. SO cute! Can't wait.
 
[quote name='Frankski']My one friend who buys a new game seemingly every week commented about how he played that game like 8 months ago and for me to get with the times. (He is engaged now and knows that once the wife enters the picture his wanton spending/staying up til 3am playing games will end, let alone any kids).
[/QUOTE]

Hehe, my fiance and I live together and we up at 3am just a couple nights ago playing videogames. :lol: Him: Dragon Quest IX (he's fluent in Japanese and he's Japanese) Me: Valkyrie Profile. I doubt that will change once we get married. It will probably change once my job officially starts in September though.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']It will probably change once my job officially starts in September though.[/QUOTE]

Are you a teacher? For some reason, I thought you were. Kids think that it is so cool that people our age play games and listen to the same music that they do (I used to sub on my days off).
 
[quote name='shieryda']Are you a teacher? For some reason, I thought you were. Kids think that it is so cool that people our age play games and listen to the same music that they do (I used to sub on my days off).[/QUOTE]

No, I'm a Big 4 auditor. New Big 4 hires right out of college generally don't start until September for what I believe to be various reasons (and they have done this since well before the mess we are in now): 1. They have a lot of interns in the summer and don't want them to intermix. 2. Summer is their slowest season, so why pay for help you don't need yet (interns are much cheaper than f-t)? and 3. It gives us a good 3-4 months to study for the CPA exam.

I would love to be a teacher but the money or administrative competence is simply not there. Perhaps if my fiance's career track was more promising than mine, I would, but my career track has put me on the path to being the household breadwinner compared to him. (I'll be making about as much as him coming right out of college than he makes after 10 years out of college.) I told my fiance that maybe he should look for some teaching jobs, as he majored in physics and is unhappy with his current job. But he said he didn't want to deal with the bullshit, specifically the possibility of getting jail time just because he failed a female student and she wants a little revenge by falsely saying he sexually abused her.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']Where the hell did you get that we don't want kids so we can play videogames all the time?[/QUOTE]

[quote name='Sofa King Kool']Yup, having a kid means kissing your "me time" goodbye, which is why I don't plan on ever having any.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='Dead of Knight']This.[/QUOTE]


You were saying?
 
ive got 3 kids
a 2 yr old
a 5 yr old
a 11 yr old
(older 2 are adopted) and i am 29
generally the time i get is on the weekend in the morning or evening. while everyone else is asleep.
i cant wait till the 2 yr old is bigger and out of his crib/out of diapers
then i feel gaming will increase by an hour or so a weekend and ill be able to use my damn sound system :)

those who dont have kids and dont want them, enjoy your decision.(no sarcasm) at least you realized is before you had them.
 
My daughter and I play games together all the time.

She loves the wallace and gromit episodes on steam. They're a lot of fun and don't rely on reflexes or timing but solving little puzzles. The stories are fun too.

I love it when I'm stuck and she figures out what to do. She's almost 4.
 
[quote name='Dead of Knight']"Me time"=Only playing videogames?

You're a moron.[/QUOTE]


We are discussing shit in a thread about gamers with kids. "Me time" was brought up by someone in reference to playing video games and how they dont plan on having any due to the constraints they will put on said "me time." You reply with "This" which means you agree with the statement.

I deduce that you are the moron. If you don't see this logic then I suggest you stop giving yourself mirror five's and run into traffic.
 
I wanted to get my son into Viva Pinata, but he's not yet 2. He loves animals, but he's not into gaming yet. He'd probably really like a game involving tractors, trucks and Old MacDonald, too, but I don't think one has been released yet.
 
[quote name='shieryda']I wanted to get my son into Viva Pinata, but he's not yet 2. He loves animals, but he's not into gaming yet. He'd probably really like a game involving tractors, trucks and Old MacDonald, too, but I don't think one has been released yet.[/QUOTE]


If they made a game that was all about Noggin my 3 year old would be in HEAVEN.
 
[quote name='Strell']We need Yo Gabba Gabba games. Digital acid trips.[/QUOTE]

In 3-D.

I wonder how much that black dude with the glasses makes for doing that crazy-ass show?
 
[quote name='Frankski']Hey

Any other CAGs have kids out there? Currently hanging out with my 16 month old. I've found in the last year and change that most of my gaming habits have significantly been altered (not surprisingly). I remember getting so mad about games that only offered a story of 8-15 hours. Nowadays, that 8-15 hour game can take my up to a month to complete.
[/QUOTE]

I don't have kids, but I got much busier with Grad School and now with being a professor, so I had a similar change.

Now I prefer short games as I'll actually finish them vs. a long game which I won't unless I just decide to make that mostly all I play for 6 months or more like I did with Oblivion last spring/fall.

I have Fallout 3 waiting on the shelf to get to some time. Have several shorter games I'm trying to get through first--Fear 2, Prince of Persia, Rock Band 1 & 2 etc.
 
If we get a Yo Gabba Gabba game it has to be based off of the Jack Black episode. I want to know how that crazy ass show pulls in all the celeb guests. The whole time it's on my mouth is going "whaaaaat theeeeeeeee faaaaaaaaaaack?"
 
[quote name='Malik112099']If we get a Yo Gabba Gabba game it has to be based off of the Jack Black episode. I want to know how that crazy ass show pulls in all the celeb guests. The whole time it's on my mouth is going "whaaaaat theeeeeeeee faaaaaaaaaaack?"[/QUOTE]

Ha! I just saw that one last week. I was giggling when I saw JB sneaking at the back of the stage. I actually jumped up to turn up the volume when I saw that he was on the show.

I was at the forest preserve last week during some volunteer work, when one of the older guys said "Hey, isn't that Shannon's backpack?" I started singing "Backpack, backpack" (from Dora), and 2 of the guys with kids were like "Oh, man. Don't start singing that song!" I then finished the song with the line "Yum, yum, yum, yum. Delicioso!"

I think only those 2 guys had any idea what I was talking about.
 
[quote name='Malik112099']"Me time" was brought up by someone in reference to playing video games[/QUOTE]


Just for the record, I in no way meant to imply (and I'm pretty sure I didn't) that "me time" meant "playing video games" and nothing else.
 
Yeah, I didn't read that as game time either. Just a general statement having time to yourself to do whatever.

I'm in no hurry to have kids either as I work a lot and already don't have much "me time" and the "me time" I do have doesn't get allocated to games very often.
 
First of all, Kipper? Come on - I can barely stand that show.

What we need is a Thomas the Tank Engine/Make Way for Noddy super sing-a-long Game.
 
A Lazy Town game would be awesome. There has to be some sort of subliminal messaging on there telling you to stare at the tv with your mouth open.
 
What's the story with the dude in blue with the mustache from Lazy Town? Is he a former gymnast/martial artist, or something?

The worst kids' show has got to be Adventure Pets, or whatever the hell it's called. Drives me bonkers.

Whatever happened to "Jakers"?

Speaking of Thomas, our boy has a pop-up book that plays the theme song for each train character on a separate page. The music comes out of the speaker at about 110 decibels, so we always have to put our thumb over the speaker when our son pushes the button for music. I don't mind it much, but my wife wants to throw the book out the window.
 
[quote name='shieryda']What's the story with the dude in blue with the mustache from Lazy Town? Is he a former gymnast/martial artist, or something?

The worst kids' show has got to be Adventure Pets, or whatever the hell it's called. Drives me bonkers.

Whatever happened to "Jakers"?

Speaking of Thomas, our boy has a pop-up book that plays the theme song for each train character on a separate page. The music comes out of the speaker at about 110 decibels, so we always have to put our thumb over the speaker when our son pushes the button for music. I don't mind it much, but my wife wants to throw the book out the window.[/QUOTE]

Wonder Pets? That show is awesome! I have that theme song for my ringtone.

And "crotchfruit"? That's kind of ignorant, don't you think and obviously said someone who does not have children. They are life changing, and in the good way. I have 3 (Ages 15, 8, and 5) and some of the best 'me time' is spent with them.
 
[quote name='shieryda']What's the story with the dude in blue with the mustache from Lazy Town? Is he a former gymnast/martial artist, or something?

The worst kids' show has got to be Adventure Pets, or whatever the hell it's called. Drives me bonkers.[/QUOTE]

it's Magnús Scheving....he's a famous icelandic athlete

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnús_Scheving


Wonder Pets! My kid loves em....THIS IS SERIOUS!
 
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