Too old to play: Ageism in Games (Topic)

It seems that every person comes to a stage in adulthood when you begin to evaluate all your pleasures that you received in your youth and think if they are suitable for your age. If you play games and you are over twenty, I think you have more than once come across the fact that someone raised their eyebrows when they found out that you are doing this, they say: "Are you small?" This is often the type of opinion held by older people who do not play games.

Despite the meteoric rise in popularity among a wide variety of demographics, mature players are still the victims of frequent condemnation. It is a hobby that has simultaneously gained popularity as a mainstream form of entertainment, but at the same time has become a target for accusations of adults who spend time on the couch at the console or sitting at the computer on their day off.

Many of us grew up during the boom in the industry and we had a lot of time to look back at the evolution of these magical worlds on the screens we play and wonder if ageism is justified in games? To answer this question, you need to find out what should make people who have spent their whole lives in games forget about these worlds, as society tells them. Also, are these reasons for loving games "childish" or are they forever?

Wonderful worlds

It seems to me that the first thing that attracts players to the screen in principle is the variety and uniqueness of the worlds that video games offer us. Remembering my personal experience, I still remember how I played Fable as a child and with what joy not only did the hero's task, but also kicked the chickens. The prerogative of kicking chickens in a game may sound like a waste of time to a non-playing person, but anyone who has ever dived into the world of Peter Molyneux will remember this wonderful feeling of nostalgia for the fairy-tale world of Fable. Even replaying this game today, I feel amazing and every game play is akin to relaxation for me. I leave her feeling refreshed and optimistic.

And this is one of the most important points when discussing the importance of games in the life of an adult. They remind us that we should never take our daily routines too seriously, and that relaxing and escaping into fantasy land stimulates both the adult and children's minds. For example, drinking beer is considered a good option to relax after a hard day at work. It's just that in the case of games, I do not get intoxicated, but pure joy from the interactive work of art and the charming main characters that I play as.

Collective experience

The second point why games are important for adults is social experience. As with the previous example of drinking beer, which is often drunk with friends or family, video games in multiplayer environments have become commonplace for gamers in the modern era. Playing online games like Rainbow Six Siege or Fortnite is a very modern way of interacting with both strangers and close friends, bringing people together in a way that's as productive as going to a bar or going to the movies.

At the same time, many argue that online games are further proof that the younger generation needs to interact at a distance, never having physical contact. Supposedly people do not know how to communicate. At the same time, adults of all ages allow social media to dominate their social interactions throughout the day. This demonstrates that online gaming is just another incarnation of the virtual world in which we currently exist. And there is no specific age to enjoy such a collective experience.

Local multiplayer has long united people of all ages. It is an activity that introduces people who have never played video games to this wonderful environment before and creates an affection between family and friends.

It creates a bond between people and brings back memories of great experiences. When we play video games with people who are important to us, we develop affection through the positive emotions we have together. We often take our feelings for granted when we do something boring and everyday with them. Games make us laugh at each other without resentment, they make us ask stupid questions and give answers without the typical indulgence.

The memories they create are probably one of the main objections to anyone who doesn't mind spending time playing games as a hobby.

Games for everyone

And probably the last and most obvious thing - games are a product for all ages. Children can introduce their parents to a hobby, and parents can even pass on playtime as a hobby to their children. I remember watching as a child my uncle playing Wolfenstein and Serious Sam and wanted to try his hand at these shooters.

Games are a generational tradition, albeit a fairly new one. Many adults have played games from the very beginning, and when they introduce them to the younger generation by their example, it becomes clear that there is no age group in which video games would not be adored. People who think they are only “for kids” are missing out on the opportunity to experience the joys of interactive entertainment.

Whether you watch TV or movies, go for a walk to an amusement park, or do outdoor sports, you are taking part in the fun that was familiar to you in your early years. These activities are easy to transition into adulthood, and this creates a double standard when these hobbies are "allowed" and video games frowned upon. However, when you think about it, does it really matter if games have reached the level of mainstream where they will no longer be judged by non-players?

If you play, you know what makes games good. Creativity, social inclusion and memories that bring us so much joy in a world where it is so lacking. Adult players should continue to participate in games, and non-gamers can continue to judge us. I just hope that when you are 50 and another hater asks you: "What are you playing games?" you answer - "Yes, so what?"

The Topic of Article: Too old to play: Ageism in Games.
Author: Jake Pinkman