Snapping the Sports-Gamer Stereotypes

[Laettner32]

People don't look at me funny when I bring up videogames. More often than not, they play a little too...or are kinda interested in it but have never had the nerve to bring it up to anyone.
My wife doesn't mind it. I only play like 30 minutes a day, sometimes on weekends I'll play for an hour or so. But it does keep me home, keeps my competitive jones flowing, and it's cheaper than playing golf...(and more fun in my opinion.)

[Hellisan]

Good article Will!

Much of the pressure for me comes from my wife. She loves t.v. and watches a ton of stupid reality television shows. But my gaming is childish to her. She openly wonders when I'll "finally stop playing."

I told her that will never happen. Period. People who were raised on watchiing television, by and large, watch television for amusement and probably will not grow out of that.

People who grew up playing video games for amusement will not grow out of certain genres provided the games are well done and they don't become consumed by making lots of money (truly a full-time occupation) or give in to peer pressure provided by their significant other.

[Matt Diesel]

Good read. I always find it good to relate my hobby to other hobbies to put things in perspective. I could be fueling a massive 1k a week coke habit. But no. I am sitting at home, with the fam, trying to take the pirates to the world series.

Hellisan, I say come right back at your old lady and ask her how grown up it is to watch reality tv. If you are 40(not speaking of your wife here) and watch American Idol, you have no room to jones on us. At least, there are achievable goals with our hobby.

[stlstudios189]

I agree mddst34 my friend and I are video gamers and comic book fans. Our wives give us a hard time about it but, as we tell them, we could get drunk and beat you. plus I only spend $$ on a new baseball, football, basketball game each year plus a few used ones here and there.

[statum71]

I'm with Sim God....

Yeah its my hobby, but at least I'm home. And my girlfriend is completely okay with it. At least I'm not some guy that she has to wonder where I am.

Besides that, I work 2 jobs, work out, and am a lot busier than the average person.

Bottom line...these games are really just now starting to take off. The Show is the bomb, Madden, NCAA, Fight Night and Live are looking up, so this is no time to quit. To h*ll with what people say.

[statum71]

By the way Hellisan...tell your wife games are catered to grow-ups now days. Hello.

[LingeringRegime]

Great article. We are a bizarre little group aren't we?

[jczar78]

It's a generational thing, I grew up playing video games and I'm never going to stop . This coming from a teacher, my gaming habits have changed a bit because I'm older and I have a family. I either play before my wife and daughter get up for work or school or after they have gone to sleep. So its rare that they see me play.

Not that my wife would tell me anything but I value my family time especially with my daughter, so I sacrifice some sleep in order to get my gaming in. But to say I'm going to stop gaming, never.