mikeyboy

I'm 34, and married with a child, and I still play video games. I've had my GCN for over a year, and at least one system from each generation. It all started back when I was 8 years old, and my parents bought an Atari 2600. A friend of mine who is the same age picked up a PS2 after Christmas, and my wife remarked that my friend an I are in a very small minority because most men my age have given up gaming (at least on consoles). I told her that it's not as uncommon as she thinks. Who out there on these boards is a "mature" gamer? Has anyone ever thought that it was strange that you still play games?

Also, does anyone have any statistics as to either what percentage of gamers are over 30 or as to what percentage of over-30s are gamers?

dglaser6

I'm 31 and have an xbox, gamecube, and just re-bought atari 2600, sega genesis, and snes. My wife doesn't mind it that much

I did read somewhere (wish i had the article) that the average age of video game players is 29! Seems like it's a bit high, but i wouldn't doubt it. there are a lot of us grown-up kids out there.

Shon

I'm 32...but mostly play pc games, but i have a PS2 I play once in a while. Also married with 1 kid

Lastblade

I am 30. No kids yet..... just bought an xbox with Steel Battalion, Splinter Cell, SSX Tricky and a few others

I love games but not enough to own all 3 systems

young

i'm 34... but, most of my life, i have been deprived of a video game system so when the ps2 came out, i said wtheck; i'm getting it.

TeeSeeJay

None of you guys are "Over the Hill," just starting to climb it.

I'm 27 and have been an enthusiastic gamer (table-top/pen&paper/console/PC) since middle school and see no reason to slow down.

The average age of the gamer is likely rising because the generation that grew up on games (Generation X and beyond) are getting older and not changing their entertainment preferences. So it doesn't really surprise me that the avg gamer is a 29-year-old male.

djones6746

I am 35 and still going strong...just starting to introduce my 5 year old and 4 year old twins to Jak and Daxter. I will be playing video games when I am old and gray.

Shon

TeeSeeJay-- Im from KC also

gcribbs

40- I will be 41 in 3 weeks.

my wrist and fingers are shot but I continue playing. Don't even ask about my eyesight

Young Vito

Um.....sir.....youre in the wrong forum

djones6746

Shon

Bwahahahaha

jekbrown

my dad is 53 years old and plays Team Fortress Classic 1.5 every single day online with his PC. He's not much of a console guy (always has a high end pc) but he IS a HARDCORE game imo. Hes in a TFC clan and everything.

Im 27... still own a dozen consoles... prolly will always be into gaming.

J

sniper308

32, with 2 kids (2 & 4) ... I currently have a DC, a GBA & a GCN ... most of my friends are into gaming, and most are mid to late 20's.

Hope to pick up an X-Box in April (maybe May ... hopefully an E3 price drop will occur )

edstein

33, I've been playing games since the 2600 and have been hooked ever since. I have a DC, N64, PS2, Xbox, and GC. My three sons (2, 5, 7) are following in my footsteps. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. I believe us between our 30's and 40's are the baby boomers of the video game industry. If it wasn't for us there would be less adult types games. We would still be playing pacman and super mario.

joltaddict

All of us guys in our thirties grew up with these systems. We have more disposable income and more flexible hours than teenagers so it doesnt really surprise me that "older" gamers dominate the market.

Im 32 and I have an old school gameroom upstairs with all the old systems hooked up and a XBox and Gamecube in my living room. My nieces and nephews LOVE coming to my house.

darkside

I'm 30, married and have a son who is 8 and plays video games.

I grew up on gaming and still have many of my old systems. I have my own computer room with a TV and entertainment center full of game systems. The PS2 and GameCube get the most use, but I still have my Dreamcast, 3DO, and even my old Sega CDX hooked up.

jekbrown

lol, "grew up on gaming". My first real memory is of my dad holding me up so I could play a Space Invaders arcade game (vintage 1978). We had the original 6 switch atari 2600 around that time too. Fun stuff. Nintendo acts like it invented multiplayer games sometimes... I was playing Combat etc vs my dad when Nintendo was still making playing cards. LOL!!!

J

djones6746

I remember playing Space Invaders at my local roller rink in the late seventies. God I am getting old.....

remjim

I'm 27 and am an avid gamer. My parents first bought my siblings and I a 2600 and I've been hooked ever since. Right now I have a Gamecube and a PS2 and I just bought my gf a GBA for Christmas. We're both enjoying Castlevania:COTM at the moment.

I think that its great that so many people continue to play games and just don't give it up as they grow older because its 'a kiddie thing'. I can't imagine ever giving it up and now that I have a good job I find myself spending more than I ever did on it. This might just be one of the main reasons why the business is growing- because we are all getting older and continue to spend money on video games! And considering how young that the business is we're sort of the first couple of generations who grew up with it.

s}{ammer

well, I am 27 and I used to buy every new system when I was a kid, or should I say my parents did. Anyway, I had em all till I bought the jaguar and then I was turned off to game consoles. I have been playing PC games till last year around this time when I bought the PS2 and now I also have an xbox.

mrpayroll

42 in April and I have an XBox at home, but I don't have enough time to play any of the 10+ games that I have. My Gamecube is at my friends house, they are 10 & 12 & 13, and they have a great time with it. And then when I go over, it's 4 player madness. I have a Playstation, Dreamcast & N64 in storage right now.

I'm actually more of a computer game player, but haven't had the time to really get into a game for over a year now. But I would love Microsoft to port over some PC games to the XBox (i.e. Age of Empires, Empire Earth, etc.), because it would be nice to play them on my 60" HDTV (not yet) Widescreen t.v., relaxing in my comfortable vibrating chair. Ah, maybe I will have more time when I retire in 25 years!

Chris

RoQuEr

my grampa played his Atari daily until he died

Shuki

28, married with three sons (7, 5 and 4 mos). Also started on Atari 2600 then moved up to NES. Stopped gaming then until the dreamcast about 2 years ago... Bought the xbox a year ago at launch and my wife just got me a PS2 for Christmas and I bought myself the GCN/wavebird/metroid prime deal from Cir. City using MSN wallet deal....

still seem to spend most of my time on MOHAA though. think its just because I can't do any 'mature' gaming until after the kids go to bed but then the wifey usually wants to watch TV.....

Homer Simpson

35, married, 3 kids, 7 systems hooked up (PS2, GCN, XBox, Dreamcast, N64, PS1, and SNES) with lots more in boxes. My Brother is 32, married, 2 kids, GCN and PS1 hooked up (and lots more in boxes). Have most of the major consoles starting with the 2600.