Wondering how many more gamers besides me out there in GB land are retired(from work, not games-we'll never retire from those! )

Most of us who are retirement age grew up in a pre-computer world-some even pre TV!
What are your experiences as a senior game player?

Do you know anyone else your age who plays computer games? (I don't know any-GB is my only source of fellow gamers.Acouple of times I have mentioned to someone in my age group that I play computer games and they act as though I've slipped into the twilight zone, so now I just don't mention it.)

Did you start playing when you retired? (I was 60 when I played a game for the first time-been playing for 9 years now. Do the math! :))

What kinds of games do you prefer? ( I prefer adventure games but have ventured into the action and RPG world too.Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones, Morrowwind, for ex. I like the freedom of movement in those, but I like the calmness and slower pace of pointing and clicking in the adventure games, gravitating toward some of the older "classics", Syberia, TLJ,Tex Murphy,Broken Sword, ect.)

Why do you enjoy playing Computer games? ( I find them immensly enjoyable because for a time each day that I play for a while it transports me into another place where I can forget the cares of the world, and anything that has been weighing on my mind-in other words they are they are theraputic-much cheaper than drugs or psychotherapy!)

Well, I retired just this past summer. I remember my parents getting that first enormous TV with the tiny little round screen!

Although we had big clunky 286 computers at work from about 1991 on, I didn't get my own computer until 2000. About a year later I purchased my first game, Dracula, The Last Sanctuary. And the rest, as they say, is history!

I built my own computer about a year ago and I troubleshoot and work on computers for elderly friends. That means they are 80ish as opposed to my 62ish! I've also move on to play RPG and FPS games in addition to casual and adventure games.

You could say that "I've come a long way, Baby!"

I retired early--50 and have been playing ever since. I played a few games prior to retirement but was way to busy working and traveling (for work) to be able to really get into it. I was lucky in the fact that I was able to get computer experience at work- and I tried to take classes when I could-- I am mostly an Adventure player with a lite very lite touch of games like Indigo Prophecy and Indiana Jones which have some action to them. Eventually I want to play a game like The Witcher......
I am now 60 and a half........

Hi,
I retired about 3 years ago. I was 73, yep worked until I was 73. I have played games since about Dec 2000, when I brought and XP for home. I used Window 95, then 98 at work. Did a bit of dos so long ago I've forgotten all of it. I have an old 98sae for the really old games. I still coach a few hours, or not how ever I feel, each month.
I'll be 76 next month.
Charllotte

Hi bigmamma1

My first experience of computers was a "mainframe" at work (1984) that occupied a whole room. The room was kept locked. And a "pass" and the wearing of special clothes was required before entry was permitted

My eldest Daughter likes to play computer games but I don't know anyone of retirement age that does - except for our friends here at Gameboomers

I didn't have a computer of my own at home until 1992 and my first games on that were only basic things like Solitaire - and later a Golf game.

My first real games were Adventures and then later I tried RPGs and found there were one or two of those I could manage as well.

And that's been mainly it ever since

I too am retired

Cheers.

Mad

I retired a few years ago. I never owned or was interested in a computer until the bosses forced one on each teacher. About ten years ago a comuter was hooked up in every classroom. Once my fourteen year old students were done teaching me how to use the machine, I was hooked.

to everyone-
Am really enjoying your answers! They've brought back so many memories.I guess we all have experienced the transition into the computer age in different ways, esp. in the workplace. I remember somewhere in the '80s when at my job we changed to doing everything at a terminal that was connected to a central mainfraim, very traumatic for some people.
I got my first PC in 2000 and played my first game in 2001(Myst) and never looked back

I've been retired for 5 or 6 years now and, although I've tried to interest my friends of the same age group in gaming, the most they'll play is some form of solitaire. My grandchildren who range from 17 to 28 on the other hand think Granny's the bee's knees and we have lovely discussions on computers, good sites, good downloads, etc. etc. My 4 children all are computer savvy, but not interested in games that much, claiming they're just too busy or that games are for kids. Their loss!
Like most of you I've pretty much stuck to adventure games, although I've developed a fondness for Tomb Raider, Deus Ex and similar games. My very first game was The 11th Hour and it's a wonder it didn't scare me off for life!

Good Morning bigmamma. I remember getting our first TV when I was a little girl. There were only a couple programs on and only at certain times of the day! You had to get up to change a channel - no remotes and no cable TV!
I worked summers in the Actuarial Department of a large Insurance Company when my Supervisor got the first computer in the office!

My younger sister got me started with adventure games in 2004. I rarely used the internet back then, but she introduced me to GameBoomers and encouraged me to sign up. Best thing ever!

I don't know any retired people that play Adventure or Action games except here on GameBoomers. I love Adventure games, but have branched out to Action as well. I love all the Tomb Raider Series and have played them all over and over!

I play like you bigmamma to get lost from the cares of the real world for a while each day. The games are also mind challenging which helps the "old memory". I also find that I have become much faster in my reaction time in some of the more challenging Tomb Raider games!

I can't remember when we got our 1st TV,
don't really remember life w/o one.
I too am retired, raised our children 1st,
then entered the workplace when youngest
was in hi-sch.
However due to corporal tunnel, etc...
that didn't last long.
Of course we had "Pong" like everyone else. LOL
My kids had Commodore 64, and I played along w/them,
with my 1st Adventure Game being "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy".
I played w/entering games in Machine Language
which seemed to take days to enter,
and only produced simple programs.
Bought myself a Dell desktop in 2001,
and played games on Yahoo and Pogo.
Gradually moved from there to BFG, etc.
Oh yeah, will be 60 in Oct and Married 40 yrs
April 18.

Hi there thought I should add my pennies worth. I am 61 and have had a computer since 1986 when I bought one of the first Amstrads, I had a very basic game on there - no pictures just questions, but it got me hooked. However I wasn't really aware of any adventure games until about 96/97 when I bought Myst/Riven, I very quickly found w/t's and hints and then I discovered Gameboomers and wanted more, the problem I found was where to buy the games, but with Amazon and Play.com and now E bay and Interact I'm getting quite a collection and I can't bear to part with any of them even though I don't know where to store them. We got out first TV in about 1958 only 2 programmes but what the h..l it was a TV! I also remember getting a colour TV in about 1976, people thought we were very rich to get one of those. I just get frustrated that I can only get 1mg of Broadband where I live even though its only about 15 miles from London UK so downloads are not really on as it takes so long, but I live in hope that they will update the line. :niceday:

I agree with everything you say. Especially the part about not personally knowing anyone else who plays adventure games. My contemporaries all look at me with mild surprise and then change the subject if I ever mention gaming. My grandchildren are all into action/war/shooters so no connection there. Thank you GameBoomers for being here!!!
Retired about 10 years ago but started gaming when Myst came out in the mid-90's(?). Loved Indiana Jones but mainly played adventure games. For some reason, today's adventure games do not capture my interest as much as the older ones like Gabriel Knight, Shivers, the Sierra games, etc. I have two computers, one for the newer games and one for the older games. Have lovingly kept all my games.
Today, I am a Thief addict. Play Thief fan missions almost every day for my "fix".

Retired on 68th birthday and told them that even if you hit rock bottom, don't call me - and they didn't - call me that is. Was a med tech working nights and later days in a huge medical reference lab in Austin, Texas. Worked nights 4 years.
Am fabulously in love with fps's and finally getting better at them.
Yeah, old ladies my age consider me odd for playing "those games" instead of making noodles for the church dinners etc. Work? What do I want to work for? They don't ask me to volunteer anymore.
And men my age are scared of me. Maybe G'Boomer men aren't but the others are.
Games keep us thinking - keep the old frontal lobes working - I play Zuma and riccochet most every day. Games should be applied in the medical field more, they tell alot about us. BTW Resistance Fall of Man is fantastic.

Hi. I turned 74 this year. Raised our 2 sons back in Illinois and retired out here (Sacramento) in '94. I remember our first TV, with that large bubble in front of it (to enlarge the view?), and then dad HAD to have a color TV when they were available and bought a big "console" of blond wood (the BIG thing back then) and no bubble! Watched Howdy Doody, Micky Mouse Club and Jack Benny back then. We bought our first PC (home computer) back about 1986 as hubby insisted he MUST have one to do our budget on and we had started our family genealogy and LDS offered an inexpensive software program to enter our data - no manual or helpful support at that time so we figured it out on our own. Moved here in 1994, bringing computer with us and soon updated it to WIN95 when it was released. Started (about 1996) a game called Beyond Time (my first) and needed lots of help figuring out what to do so found Gameboomers and have been here ever since. Never played much Pong, but did some PacMan gaming a bit and there was a game with a little man who you had to move around doing tasks to advance into the next room/level, can't remember what it was called, liked it tho. There are very few of my friends/acquaintenances who play the games I like, look at me like I am a genius or crazy, they only play solitaire. There is one lady in our computer club who I got started playing our games but she is also active with her large family and other things and recently lost her husband so she and I do not compare notes at all, she has no time for the games like I do. Gaming on the computer is not the only thing I do. Check out the thread about 'other hobbies' here for more on that.
Love, Betty Lou

These are great responses! Love 'em all-

Kakis Sis: I'm a TR fan too, got hooked on them way back when, started with the first one and now am up to Anniversary, which I found very tough because of the impossible moves in some places-I think I used about 4 saved games from Stella's site, but I like the exploration and amazing scenery parts so it's worth it.BTW, I've been reading your posts off and on about TR games and pictured you as a gal in her 20's I guess we're all young at heart!

Joanie-I also love the Thief games-wonder if they'll ever do another one? I'll have to try the fan missions.

Some of you are fortunate to have grand children to talk about games with-mine are only 5 (twins) but my granddaughter already loves to do things on the "puter", so....maybe someday I'll have a game buddy.
Meanwhile, thank goodness for Gameboomers-such a great place to hang out

Going on 62. Like the rest of you don't know anyone else around who likes and enjoys playing pc adventure games. It is all my son's fault. He and friend brought over console game (Sega?)Myst. I enjoyed watching them play and the let me join in ..i got to be the NoteKeeper. Don't have the reflexes for the action games -so unless there some good cheat codes for that game i can't do them. I worked as telephone operator for years and had a very erratic schedule so was nice to be able to 'escape' on my pc anytime i wanted (what else you gonna do at 3am besides laundry, and you sure can't call and talk to your best friend who has a regular 9-5 job!). Long Live Gameboomers!

Intersting thread! I'm old enough to retire - 69- but can't afford to, so I'm still working. I got my first real computer in'98 - an e-Machine with Windows 98. Now I'm on my 4th - went through XP, Vista and now have a laptop with Windows 7. I still use them all except the e-Machine.

The first adventure game I played was Myst, then Riven, then Beyond Atlantis, etc, etc. This is the type of game I love the most and the hardest to find these days.

And just like most of the rest of you, no one else in my age range in my family plays Adventure game. I tried to get my sister interested, but the closest she got was casual games. I just thank the day I found Gameboomers. Without your support I wouldn't have enjoyed nearly as many games as I have.

I'm 61 and hoping to be able to retire in a few years. There is no one that I know that plays adventure games, or even knows what they are.
My favorite kind of games are like SuMac just said: Myst, Riven, etc and that type. And I also agree that that type of game is hard to find now (or maybe I'm just missing them). All I know is that I'm playing games less than I used to, and many times enjoying them less. But I'm still looking forward to my retirement when I can spend more than a few minutes here and there playing the games!

Um, that would be me. Retired in 2004 and I'm now 68, enjoying every minute and especially having a LITTLE more time for games.

Hey bigmamma I feel young! TR Anniversary is a tough game. I also used a saved or 2 from Stella's saved games in the "impossible" places! The scenary is fanastic and the exploring is great in all the TR Games! I'm looking forward to another one.

Hi, guys. Yes, our first TV and colour although Dad wasn't into frivolous things so it wasn't until I was finished school and married which we started with black and white too. But despite my 61 years I had an aptitude for mathematics and found myself delving into computers my first year of University in '67. And then professionally so I've had most of them over the years. Currently The Boss just retired from teaching this past June so a new notebook Windows 7 and Verizon Wireless and we can keep connected while on the road.

I've played pretty much all of them at one time or other. Got some buddies from Quake that I still keep up with on a mailing list. They've all finished school, gotten married, started careers, got kids, etc., now. That's why "Old Man" -- they were all punk kids when we got together.

Anyhow, my all time favourite games are the Thief series. To answer the question: yes, Thief IV is in development/production at EIDOS, Montreal right now. I often use the 600+ fan missions from the Thief fans to illustrate what can happen with Myst Online. Still waiting not so patiently any longer for this to happen.

Despite all this I just can't keep up with the kids. They are born to it afterall.

I'm up there pushing 80, know no one other than my late brother who has a computer. And he had a Mac and didn't play games with it.

Got my first computer in 2000, a rebuilt one with Win95, started my first adventure game with Myst and was hooked. Upgraded to an HP, then discovered it couldn't be upgraded to what I wanted and proceeded to do a lot of research to build my own upgradeable machine. Now using the 2nd version with both WinXP, my favorite, and Win7 on separate hard drives.

Haven't the dexterity to do any action gaming, so stick to adventure without that. My favorites are the ones with a lot of solo exploring.

I'm 71 (Feb.) and don't think I could do without my computer games. I got my first computer in 2000 Hp. In 2002 my grandson built me one and since I've had 2 more built by a sweet computer guy. They gradually got more and better so now I can play all I want. My granddaughter got me started on adventure games with Nancy Drew. Then I discovered BigFish and really played games. I got my sister (65) started playing and my daughter (52) got hooked last year. Neither of these play adventure games yet but give them time. Thanks to all boomers for a great place to come to and talk to other oldies.

carlahelp


Myst is one game I could never understand or play. I got the first 3 in bundle and now can't play because I'm not smart enough.

What wonderful stories! I got "into" computers by first having a sorta computer, Texas Instrument, and then for the children I bought a "Mac" that was supposed to be the "thing". Well they never continued with making programs for the thing, so I think it probably still sits in my attic, gathering dust as it did when we had it downstairs.

I am 64, started playing games, um, when I don't really remember. But someone mentioned "Beyond Time" and I do have that in my library of games. Most of the old games are stored in my "over the garage room", most of which won't probably play on any of my newer computers. BUT I won't get rid of them. I figure my children and grands will go through them when I'm gone and say, "What the H...did she keep these things for?" I can't bear to toss them.

To fill in the gaps of no game to play, or to replay for the fifth time, I started Casual Games, which do fill in the gap. I find some few of them to be as challenging sometimes as some adventure games that I have played.

I also know no one who is a gamer. I love it...and won't quit until they drag my fingers off the keyboard, fingers still curved like I learned whilst playing the piano in the early 1950's. Can't wait to read further stories, and this has made me want to go up in the room over and check out my OLD games.

Does anyone here remember Rinky Dink on TV where they sent you a plastic (or rubber) sheet that you put over your very small TV screen that sat in the very large cabinet and wrote on it. And where oh where is my decoder ring from...oh dear, elderly brain just took over, um, well whatever!

Jody

jody - how 'bout "tom terriffic" !

my dad tells the story of sitting down to watch tv one night, and couldn't figure out what was wrong with the picture - turns out i'd been unable to find my sheet,and not wanting to miss "rinky", had just gone ahead and drawn right on the screen


ps - feel like such a "newbie" - have only been gaming for 5-6 years ,and a ways to go to retire..