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We all know that about 90% of gamers are teenagers or children. I mean, how many middle aged gamers do you know? Precisely. Most people on these forums are under 18, only a few people aren't (pb, shadow, etc.) Yet what I don't understand (well, maybe I do), is why 18s sell so well. I mean, GTA3 is the best selling PS2 games, and my bet would be that most of the GTA3 owners are under 18.
Anyway, enough of the babbling, what I'm talking about is the post-adolescent image. It was brought to my attention in a very amusing but true letter in PCZone last issue, about a man who loves gaming, but would rather be caught by his mates doing, well lets say, more explicit things than being found out to be a gamer. lets face it, once you've grown out of school and college, you grow out of video-games too.
However, I have noticed that there is a significant rise in adult gaming. Not in the sense we know it as ;-), but in the fact that game shops today are filled by far more adults (not parents, mind) than a few years ago. And I'm quite intrigued by it. What's more, these men aren't the ones found every Saturday down at Games Workshop with their level 17 black mages and the likes.
What really brought this to my attention, was my dad. He never plays games, never ever, in fact the only time I've ever known him express an interest was with Descent, but even then it was because of the novelty of using a joystick *wink-wink*. However, with my recent purchase of Medal of Honor Allied Assault, he's on our new PC non stop. He loves it, and simply can't get enough. Now this IS intriguing, because if you look into the matter further, you'll find that the whole age-limit thing is getting larger all the time.
Back in the 'golden era' of gaming, as its apparently called, during the early 90's, gaming was all about Sonic, Mario, Ryu and Super Deformed Characters. In fact, the only 'adult' theme in gaming at all was that the characters you play as are adults. Zoom forward to today, and we are no longer playing childish games, but our Medal of Honors, Wolfensteins and (god forbid) Erotica Island. If the latter had appeared all those years ago, it would have been shunned from every country it set foot in.
So with the added attraction of technology, and realism becoming a bit hit, games are starting to appeal more to a wider audience. Even Nintendo, who are notorious with cartoony 'child' games (even though the games aren't) have seen the need for a rise in maturity levels. Mario needs to 'grow-up', as they put it, and to the consumer this is 100% true.
I'm not sure I like this realism. Realism doesn't mean fun, but I suppose for newcomers to the pastime (older newcomers, at that), realism means that perhaps gaming isn't as socially unnaceptable. But the terrible thing is, my dad hogs the computer now :-(. I'll tell you one thing, when I mature and apparently grow out of gaming, I still won't ever let it go.
Anyway, enough of the babbling, what I'm talking about is the post-adolescent image. It was brought to my attention in a very amusing but true letter in PCZone last issue, about a man who loves gaming, but would rather be caught by his mates doing, well lets say, more explicit things than being found out to be a gamer. lets face it, once you've grown out of school and college, you grow out of video-games too.
However, I have noticed that there is a significant rise in adult gaming. Not in the sense we know it as ;-), but in the fact that game shops today are filled by far more adults (not parents, mind) than a few years ago. And I'm quite intrigued by it. What's more, these men aren't the ones found every Saturday down at Games Workshop with their level 17 black mages and the likes.
What really brought this to my attention, was my dad. He never plays games, never ever, in fact the only time I've ever known him express an interest was with Descent, but even then it was because of the novelty of using a joystick *wink-wink*. However, with my recent purchase of Medal of Honor Allied Assault, he's on our new PC non stop. He loves it, and simply can't get enough. Now this IS intriguing, because if you look into the matter further, you'll find that the whole age-limit thing is getting larger all the time.
Back in the 'golden era' of gaming, as its apparently called, during the early 90's, gaming was all about Sonic, Mario, Ryu and Super Deformed Characters. In fact, the only 'adult' theme in gaming at all was that the characters you play as are adults. Zoom forward to today, and we are no longer playing childish games, but our Medal of Honors, Wolfensteins and (god forbid) Erotica Island. If the latter had appeared all those years ago, it would have been shunned from every country it set foot in.
So with the added attraction of technology, and realism becoming a bit hit, games are starting to appeal more to a wider audience. Even Nintendo, who are notorious with cartoony 'child' games (even though the games aren't) have seen the need for a rise in maturity levels. Mario needs to 'grow-up', as they put it, and to the consumer this is 100% true.
I'm not sure I like this realism. Realism doesn't mean fun, but I suppose for newcomers to the pastime (older newcomers, at that), realism means that perhaps gaming isn't as socially unnaceptable. But the terrible thing is, my dad hogs the computer now :-(. I'll tell you one thing, when I mature and apparently grow out of gaming, I still won't ever let it go.
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½pint wrote:
"we are no longer playing childish games, but our Medal of Honors, Wolfensteins and (god forbid) Erotica Island."
Do I REALLY, REALLY have to go through this again? The games you listed are childish, I can't be bothered to explain.
"we are no longer playing childish games, but our Medal of Honors, Wolfensteins and (god forbid) Erotica Island."
Do I REALLY, REALLY have to go through this again? The games you listed are childish, I can't be bothered to explain.
Hercules! wrote:
> whats that?
erm...... good post........ i think......... well its the only
> relatively large post that ive ever been bothered to read.
how old are you 1/2
> pint? i remember you saying something like 10?
*****
You have a bad memory then. I'm 15
*****
savatt1668 wrote:
> Its also good for hand/eye co-ordination.
As for the reason why so many 18
> rated games sell. Its the way kids have always been. Its like a cross between
> thinking its cool to own a game like that and at the same time, wanting to have
> something they're not supposed to have.
When kids are left alone, they want
> to watch 18 rated films. Of course sometimes parents don't mind if their kids
> are watching a lot of these kinds of films. And how many of us have encountered
> the porn channels late at night when we were young and found it a big buzz to
> watch it with friends while all keeping on high alert for any adults
> approaching. ;-))
Its basically the same thing. As for adults, I guess it
> comes down to them wanting more mature storylines in games they play. Most of
> us on here, if not all have been playing games all our lives so we're used to
> the sight of Mario and Link. But to older newcomers (around the age of 18
> onwards), they look at someone they're age playing a Mario game and they
> probably rate them on the same level as the type that like to run around in the
> woods pretending to be elves every Saturday.
Really it comes down to the
> modern idea of what is "cool". Most people around our age think the
> idea of being cool is to go clubbing, attempt to get off with someone while
> stumbling around, drink till you puke on your shoes and maybe if your lucky
> enough, you'll find your way home at the end of the night.
Thats probably
> why games like Wipeout sold well. They had that element of club culture to
> them. As for the likes of GTA3, they sell well because again, they show
> elements of our culture. Only difference is in a videogame, you can attempt to
> become a drug baron and not get arrested by the end of the night.
*****
That's true. Mind you, I just laugh at those kind of kids, I only buy decent 18's which you have to have (ie. Perfect Dark, GTA3). I don't get them to be cool, but because I like games. Those kind of people make my day. I remember when one of them was bragging about how they got nicked for being drunk and drinking in public late at night. And that's something to be proud of!?!?!?
*****
Cinnamon wrote:
> I'm 22, and I still like (and am interested) in all kinds of games - from
> realistic sims to cartoony fun games with great gameplay to quirky stuff like
> Rez.
What always bewilders me is when an older person - say someone's dad -
> sees a graphically magnificent videogame and they just indifferently shrug their
> shoulders showing not a hint of interest.
If I was 40 and I saw a game like
> Shenmue or MGS2, I'm sure I'd be at least slightly curious and intrigued.
*****
I just want to say that I've noticed on these forums that only older members (ie. 15 ish +) actually spell properly. Of the people who've posted in this topic, half of whom have said their age, and the other half made a comment. All the old-age-admitters can type properly. Just an observation, but it goes to show.
> whats that?
erm...... good post........ i think......... well its the only
> relatively large post that ive ever been bothered to read.
how old are you 1/2
> pint? i remember you saying something like 10?
*****
You have a bad memory then. I'm 15
*****
savatt1668 wrote:
> Its also good for hand/eye co-ordination.
As for the reason why so many 18
> rated games sell. Its the way kids have always been. Its like a cross between
> thinking its cool to own a game like that and at the same time, wanting to have
> something they're not supposed to have.
When kids are left alone, they want
> to watch 18 rated films. Of course sometimes parents don't mind if their kids
> are watching a lot of these kinds of films. And how many of us have encountered
> the porn channels late at night when we were young and found it a big buzz to
> watch it with friends while all keeping on high alert for any adults
> approaching. ;-))
Its basically the same thing. As for adults, I guess it
> comes down to them wanting more mature storylines in games they play. Most of
> us on here, if not all have been playing games all our lives so we're used to
> the sight of Mario and Link. But to older newcomers (around the age of 18
> onwards), they look at someone they're age playing a Mario game and they
> probably rate them on the same level as the type that like to run around in the
> woods pretending to be elves every Saturday.
Really it comes down to the
> modern idea of what is "cool". Most people around our age think the
> idea of being cool is to go clubbing, attempt to get off with someone while
> stumbling around, drink till you puke on your shoes and maybe if your lucky
> enough, you'll find your way home at the end of the night.
Thats probably
> why games like Wipeout sold well. They had that element of club culture to
> them. As for the likes of GTA3, they sell well because again, they show
> elements of our culture. Only difference is in a videogame, you can attempt to
> become a drug baron and not get arrested by the end of the night.
*****
That's true. Mind you, I just laugh at those kind of kids, I only buy decent 18's which you have to have (ie. Perfect Dark, GTA3). I don't get them to be cool, but because I like games. Those kind of people make my day. I remember when one of them was bragging about how they got nicked for being drunk and drinking in public late at night. And that's something to be proud of!?!?!?
*****
Cinnamon wrote:
> I'm 22, and I still like (and am interested) in all kinds of games - from
> realistic sims to cartoony fun games with great gameplay to quirky stuff like
> Rez.
What always bewilders me is when an older person - say someone's dad -
> sees a graphically magnificent videogame and they just indifferently shrug their
> shoulders showing not a hint of interest.
If I was 40 and I saw a game like
> Shenmue or MGS2, I'm sure I'd be at least slightly curious and intrigued.
*****
I just want to say that I've noticed on these forums that only older members (ie. 15 ish +) actually spell properly. Of the people who've posted in this topic, half of whom have said their age, and the other half made a comment. All the old-age-admitters can type properly. Just an observation, but it goes to show.
I'm 22, and I still like (and am interested) in all kinds of games - from realistic sims to cartoony fun games with great gameplay to quirky stuff like Rez.
What always bewilders me is when an older person - say someone's dad - sees a graphically magnificent videogame and they just indifferently shrug their shoulders showing not a hint of interest.
If I was 40 and I saw a game like Shenmue or MGS2, I'm sure I'd be at least slightly curious and intrigued.
What always bewilders me is when an older person - say someone's dad - sees a graphically magnificent videogame and they just indifferently shrug their shoulders showing not a hint of interest.
If I was 40 and I saw a game like Shenmue or MGS2, I'm sure I'd be at least slightly curious and intrigued.
Just to expand as I am on lunch at the mo.
My brother grew up during the early days of gaming, he actually owned a ZX81!!! Then moved on to the heady heights of an Atari 2600, BBC Micro etc.. and on to his current PC set up.
Being 7 years younger I was so heavily influenced during my formative years that I now have a PS2, several games and will continue to keep up with the current trends until I am old and grey, I am hooked for life.
My dad however coming to games late in life has no background or understanding the way that we all do instinctively and finds it really hard. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks!!!
My brother grew up during the early days of gaming, he actually owned a ZX81!!! Then moved on to the heady heights of an Atari 2600, BBC Micro etc.. and on to his current PC set up.
Being 7 years younger I was so heavily influenced during my formative years that I now have a PS2, several games and will continue to keep up with the current trends until I am old and grey, I am hooked for life.
My dad however coming to games late in life has no background or understanding the way that we all do instinctively and finds it really hard. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks!!!
Great post I totally agree :D
Dj FLex wrote:
> When you are under 18 you are jelous of those over 18 and want to do things they
> do like going in night clubs, buy alcachol and other things which are not
> obtainable at there age. Gaming is the only way an under 18 individual can get a
> taste of what over 18 people has.
Or being able to spell!!
Well said HalfPint although as more people grow up surrounded by the games industry (people who were born in the mid-late 60's through to present day) more people will be carrying this hobby into later life.
> When you are under 18 you are jelous of those over 18 and want to do things they
> do like going in night clubs, buy alcachol and other things which are not
> obtainable at there age. Gaming is the only way an under 18 individual can get a
> taste of what over 18 people has.
Or being able to spell!!
Well said HalfPint although as more people grow up surrounded by the games industry (people who were born in the mid-late 60's through to present day) more people will be carrying this hobby into later life.
When you are under 18 you are jelous of those over 18 and want to do things they do like going in night clubs, buy alcachol and other things which are not obtainable at there age. Gaming is the only way an under 18 individual can get a taste of what over 18 people has.
Its also good for hand/eye co-ordination.
As for the reason why so many 18 rated games sell. Its the way kids have always been. Its like a cross between thinking its cool to own a game like that and at the same time, wanting to have something they're not supposed to have.
When kids are left alone, they want to watch 18 rated films. Of course sometimes parents don't mind if their kids are watching a lot of these kinds of films. And how many of us have encountered the porn channels late at night when we were young and found it a big buzz to watch it with friends while all keeping on high alert for any adults approaching. ;-))
Its basically the same thing. As for adults, I guess it comes down to them wanting more mature storylines in games they play. Most of us on here, if not all have been playing games all our lives so we're used to the sight of Mario and Link. But to older newcomers (around the age of 18 onwards), they look at someone they're age playing a Mario game and they probably rate them on the same level as the type that like to run around in the woods pretending to be elves every Saturday.
Really it comes down to the modern idea of what is "cool". Most people around our age think the idea of being cool is to go clubbing, attempt to get off with someone while stumbling around, drink till you puke on your shoes and maybe if your lucky enough, you'll find your way home at the end of the night.
Thats probably why games like Wipeout sold well. They had that element of club culture to them. As for the likes of GTA3, they sell well because again, they show elements of our culture. Only difference is in a videogame, you can attempt to become a drug baron and not get arrested by the end of the night.
As for the reason why so many 18 rated games sell. Its the way kids have always been. Its like a cross between thinking its cool to own a game like that and at the same time, wanting to have something they're not supposed to have.
When kids are left alone, they want to watch 18 rated films. Of course sometimes parents don't mind if their kids are watching a lot of these kinds of films. And how many of us have encountered the porn channels late at night when we were young and found it a big buzz to watch it with friends while all keeping on high alert for any adults approaching. ;-))
Its basically the same thing. As for adults, I guess it comes down to them wanting more mature storylines in games they play. Most of us on here, if not all have been playing games all our lives so we're used to the sight of Mario and Link. But to older newcomers (around the age of 18 onwards), they look at someone they're age playing a Mario game and they probably rate them on the same level as the type that like to run around in the woods pretending to be elves every Saturday.
Really it comes down to the modern idea of what is "cool". Most people around our age think the idea of being cool is to go clubbing, attempt to get off with someone while stumbling around, drink till you puke on your shoes and maybe if your lucky enough, you'll find your way home at the end of the night.
Thats probably why games like Wipeout sold well. They had that element of club culture to them. As for the likes of GTA3, they sell well because again, they show elements of our culture. Only difference is in a videogame, you can attempt to become a drug baron and not get arrested by the end of the night.
I'm 18 by the way
I saw something on TV to day it said "This is bound to shock parents but gaming can actually be good for you!"
apparently it releases aggression and the presenter said not all games are violent shoot-em-ups some are actually educational and or made not to be violent for children.
There you go they proved what we already knew Gaming is good.
I saw something on TV to day it said "This is bound to shock parents but gaming can actually be good for you!"
apparently it releases aggression and the presenter said not all games are violent shoot-em-ups some are actually educational and or made not to be violent for children.
There you go they proved what we already knew Gaming is good.
whats that?
erm...... good post........ i think......... well its the only relatively large post that ive ever been bothered to read.
how old are you 1/2 pint? i remember you saying something like 10?
erm...... good post........ i think......... well its the only relatively large post that ive ever been bothered to read.
how old are you 1/2 pint? i remember you saying something like 10?
Page: