Older player

addiv · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 2:09 pm

I'm one of the older members of the RSBandB community. I have a mortgage and both my kids are out of the house. It's not something I usually advertise only because, for some reason, some of the younger players think its weird. Whatever. At least I'm not a teenage boy pretending to be a girl? Now that's weird.

I was told this past weekend that I'm too old to play Runescape. Not sure what the correct age to quit playing is but I'll bet anyone who really loves gaming isn't going to stop just because they get older. My first "console" was Pong. I remember when Space Invaders and Asteroids came out in the arcades. If anything, just based on how long I've been actively gaming, I have more right to be here than the player complaining I'm too old.

The other thing that seems to bother them is that an older player among younger players looks like a pedophile or social predator. Really? Seriously, really? Jagex has rules about trying to solicit personal information from other players for this reason. This doesn't mean there aren't possible deviants out there and you shouldn't report them if you are approached, but that is a horrible assumption to make just based on age.

Runescape is targeted at a younger audience but the age limit is on the low, not the high end. There are no MMORPG games out there marketed towards adults but that's fine with me. Can you imagine a game designed for the older crowd? It'd be more like The Sims but with everyone talking about their kids and car payments or recipes. That doesn't sounds any more appealing to me than it does to you.

This isn't meant to be a rant. I don't mind having to game with a younger crowd though occasionally I wish I didn't have to deal with immature players but you can find them at any age. I'd just like to point out that there are a lot of older players in the game (maybe more than you think) and they are just like you. They love to play games and socialize. If you don't believe me, ask my mom. She still plays occasionally.

Adbot · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 2:09 pm

trekkie · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 3:24 pm

as i recall almost all of the great people in the past were above the age of 20.
zezima, old nite, gearshifter (? first 99 prayer guy).
i honestly do not believe that anybody in the top 100 overall are teenagers considering how much time people put into it.

addiv · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 4:13 pm

Runescape is old enough now that some of the early players have grown up in the game and are now adults but they still aren't so old that they don't fit in with the average RS player. They might be older but there are a lot of them that still actively play so it doesn't seem unusual. If you're old enough to have kids that play RS though I think you really start getting lumped into the too old to play category. It's just interesting to hear that I shouldn't play because a kid too young to play to begin with sees me as a deviant.

Ablazin Scar · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 4:55 pm

Don't listen to idiots like that. It's just people who think they're cool over the internet, probably little nerds in real life. I'm only 14, but I don't run around "your old gtfo the computer." that's just stupid. This game can be played by anybody, it's fun, addicting. Just like the old people that watch sports, it's just something they like to do.

Priss · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 4:55 pm

addiv wrote:

At least I'm not a teenage boy pretending to be a girl?

**** it really? You really had to bring that up? wtf... I AM NOT A DUDE!!!! ](*,)

Anyways I don't think its weird that you are older. I have played other mmos where some of the really cool players are on their 40s or more. I never had a problem with that. In fact, I think its cool to have them around. And from experience, I rather play with the older crowd than teenagers

Ablazin Scar · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 4:58 pm

I remember playing a MMO, not 3d or anything, it was pretty fun, and almost everyone who played was atleast 30+
Half of the clans in the game required you to be atleast over 18, some of them over 20/21.

Adbot · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 4:58 pm

addiv · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 5:14 pm

Priss wrote:

Anyways I don't think its weird that you are older.

I appreciate that. Most people don't find it unusual but the ones that do have an extreme reaction.

Uncle Dano · **12 99's on 12/12/12!**

addiv wrote:

I'd just like to point out that there are a lot of older players in the game (maybe more than you think) and they are just like you. They love to play games and socialize.

Heh hummmm... I resemble that remark. Believe you me Addiv, you are not alone. There are many players just like you. In fact, I could have written your post myself without having to change hardly anything. It's always good to meet other similar players, especially ones in the "mature" category. :wink:

There is no age at which you would be expected to quit playing RS.

It is not just a game. <------- Re-read that!

Those that would ever suggest that you should quit playing because you are "too old" really don't play the game very well, do they? Seems like quite a shallow approach for someone to think that way actually. There is always the ignore list. :wink:

And, with respect to being labelled a "deviant", just ask anyone in the RSBandB Community if they would ever think that Uncle Dano was a deviant. It was said in chat once or twice that I'm the only uncle they know that doesn't creep them out. And with the word "uncle" in my name, don't you think I've thought exactly the same as (if not more than) you regarding what others may assume about me? I plan on portraying in my character, exactly who I am... one of the decent (not deviant) guys. There are still a few of us around. Maybe if there were more of us in-game portraying who we are and what we do stand for, then maybe the whole concept of a "deviant" would stop being regarded as commonplace. Maybe people could actually get back to living a good, safe life, instead of trying to do so within such a morally depraved society. I'm actually quite ticked that someone would actually think an older player is just some "deviant" prowling on others. Makes me quite ill in fact. :cry:

But, I digress.... *hops off his soapbox*

In general, I'm in this game for life. That's my goal. Age has nothing to do with pwning this game!

Well met, Godspeed, and another fine day in The Scape to you. I certainly will continue doing so, and continue to expose the player base to a good character played by a good person. They need to have that so bad, it hurts.

Warren · **Posted:** September 12th, 2011, 11:04 pm

Lol well there are lots of people who think you should mature out of games when you reach 18. And not just mid teens. E.g. one of my friends parents were so disappointed that he wants to go into video game design. Also, a parent, "I know they weren't the best role model, 27 years old and still playing video games".

But it comes down to this: there will always be someone who will judge free-time activities/appropriate age, and sometimes there will be lots of people to judge free time activities/appropriate age, and maybe you will be part of those people on some things, and maybe even some people hate certain things so much they push for law against it. The good thing is you can decide for yourself whether things are appropriate at your age, how much is unhealthy, etc.

Rodsay · **Posted:** September 13th, 2011, 1:52 am

Well I think I am your token geriatric player as I have been retired from work some years now

I have been interested in computers since I was about 20, and the computers from that time are now only seen in museums. Most of my employment has involved computers and as home PCs came in they became my hobby too. Why would I give up when I retired, had more time to play?

I was not introduced to Runescape until after I retired. I belong to a small private forum, a bit like this but initially focussed on a different common interest. A few people played RS and as we read about their 'fun' we all gradually joined too. These people were all adults, a few in my age group (retired), most in their 30s or 40s and some in their 20's. The only real young people we had were the children of the core members.

In the game I do not advertise how old I am but I will give some indication if asked; such as " so old it's not polite of you to ask"

My friends and I all take 'mentor' roles helping out new and young players. It is an extension of how we live in real life.

Yes, I can agree with a Sims analogy, but tbh I never wanted to play The Sims, just as in real life I didn't want to sit around talking about my kids or my new lounge suite or the latest fashion. I guess I never was 'average'.

I'll let someone else hunt up the stats but the highest % game players in any age group is said to be women in their 30s.

My husband says I am seriously addicted to Runescape and I'll put my hand up to that

However I have seen quite a number of young players learn valuable life skills from RS. Perseverence and patience, forward planning, budgeting and map-reading come immediately to mind.

Long live Runescape - even with all the problems it has right now.

Any older (or younger) players who care to add me in-game feel free but do say where you 'met' me when adding?

CreepyPirate · **Posted:** September 13th, 2011, 4:31 am

I get annoyed that i can't reach through the screen and smack the little turds around the head most of the time. That bugs me far more than them picking holes on my age. But then i don't broadcast my age in game and i very rarely act my age in game either.

trekkie · **Posted:** September 13th, 2011, 10:07 am

older people are cool. they are usually smarter, better when doing quest, and usually richer

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

A games a game. Anyone can enjoy it. Age doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't or can't game. Most the time, younger players are more annoying than older players, too. The only people you can have an intelligent conversation with in a game are older people...usually.

Bottom line: Older gamers fit just right into most gaming communities.

Pennstate315 · Runite Member 5-25-10

I have a few Older friends is Runescape. At first I was taken aback, but once I got to know them it felt no different then most the other teenagers I talk to. Their pretty cool guys.

Uncle Dano · **12 99's on 12/12/12!**

I'd say we have unanimous consensus that age really doesn't matter. I think that conduct, behaviour and attitude in-game are probably much more important things to consider than how long someone has been alive. As I've said before, the RS community is much more diverse than one assumes or is initally led to believe. We come from all backgrounds, from all over the world, and we are definitely not all the same age :!:

For those who say that you should grow out of games as you get older, first: those are younger people saying that, and second: they have never seen the inside of a casino. Who do you see hogging the nickel slots? Nuff said.