I fondly remember my first time playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on my brother’s Playstation 3 when it first came out back in 2011. Everything about the game- the soundtrack, the graphics, the storyline- was the most beautiful virtual experience my child self had ever experienced. Now fast forward to today where after 67,000+ (I lost track after high school) hours, I own the same game on multiple gaming platforms without any sense of remorse or guilt. Why? Because I can. Why should I, or any other young adult, feel the societal pressure of having to give up games once you hit the stages of early adulthood?
Most of us might’ve had some of our fondest memories over video games, and more so, the memories we shared with the people we’ve played with through many of these games. The ability to communicate and share laughs over competitive matches creates a unique experience between gamers; people from across the world come together to partake and indulge in their virtual fantasies through various conventions and events to express their love of video games. Such interactions may be found primarily in what some people might refer to as “Gaming Culture”. Precious memories should not be defined by one’s age, so why is there such a buzzkill whenever adults try to play games?
But first, what exactly is Gaming Culture?
Technology and pop culture has witnessed changes in the video game industry over the past few decades, and they are accelerating at a rapid pace. As video games transitioned out of public arcades and into homes in the 80s and 90s, players found they were able to play for longer periods of time with a variety of more complex games. From William Higinbotham to Hidetaka Miyazaki, the concept and overall appearance of video games has amassed into something even greater than the video games themselves. Since their introduction to the world, video games have quickly spread their influence into the world of literature, cosplay, televised media and many others, allowing people from various communities to engage in new thrill-seeking experiences.
Gaming Culture can be defined as a new media subculture that revolves around the concept of engaging with, in, and around video games. Its specific set of customs and traditions has paved the way for video game fans all across the globe to engage and unite under a modernized culture. As what many would refer to as “Pop Culture”, Gaming Culture allows fans to engage in a multitude of thrill-seeking activities like Esports and get in touch with their virtual persona over at Comic-Con. For many, Gaming Culture serves as an outlet for individuals to express their private identities and show the world the things they enjoy.
Gaming Culture allows people of all backgrounds and ages to partake in things they feel are ways to express themselves through their hobbies. Should society take part in determining who is too old for video games? Take for example an 85-year-old woman by the name of Shirley Curry a.k.a Skyrim Grandma (I have a profane love for Skyrim if you haven’t already noticed). With over 900K followers on YouTube, this sword brandishing, dragon-slaying grandmother has captured the hearts of video game fans from all across the globe. She’s doing exactly what she should be doing at her age: doing what she loves the most. So, should adults indulge in video games as they age?
Verdict: If it makes adult you happy, then YES
So what if I’ve stayed up past my bedtime underneath the bed covers playing Pokémon LeafGreen or witnessed too much gore for my parent’s approval in Resident Evil 4? As a child, I found my happiness through many of those games growing up. I found my joy in the ability to express my interest in these games’ unique mechanics and grew a deep love for breathtaking graphics and style. Virtual characters have taken over as social love interests and as pop culture role models. So why shouldn’t I do the same now? Life is far too short to worry about social stigma, so grab a controller and just press Play.