This is something of a prejudice that I hold - that anybody over 21 who plays videogames is not completely mature.
I know it's not the case for many people, but still it's something I find difficult to let go.
I agree with most everyone here who commented. Unless the gaming gets way out of hand and one doesn't have balance in their life, and adult players go around bullying younger players or using them to get some bizarre sort of ego boost about how much superior they are... then, no, gaming really doesn't have anything to do with immaturity. Games have become so much more involved now, in their design and storytelling and features, so it's not surprising, especially in today's pretty sucky world of covid, massive inflation and cost of living, mass social and political divides, that gaming has become a refuge for so many. After all the work, chores, and shit is done and taken care of, people deserve to have a bit of escapism and fantasy away from the often-drudgery of the real world.
I don't respect adults any less for gaming IF it's not the only thing they do with their time, and can have decent, knowledgeable, non-scatterbrained conversations with people about things other than gaming. And they don't shirk invitations to do other things with people sometimes too. People sometimes make friends gaming online, or game with existing friends online, but others are gaming because they have no friends irl, and in the latter case it merely entrenches the person further into loneliness and a sense of isolation. To be fair, people are so flaky and selfish and unfocused these days (largely because of addiction to media), it's no wonder people prioritize their own interests, like gaming, because if others don't appreciate them and act like they care about them and add rather than detract from their life, then why bother. That's another aspect to this. So hours gaming is not about immaturity, but, rather, choices. And the choice to game - or not to game - is about more than just wanting to stay a child. It's really a much larger social question of options and priorities.
Overall, the abuse and misuse by some and the fact that some take it too far, should not limit the responsible and those who partake moderately. (I'm looking at you, China. 👿)
But I think any discussion about gaming also has to include the cognitive aspects. What does it do to the brain? This is something I've researched. I wanted to know, once and for all. Here is my summary:
If someone is ADDICTED/OBSESSED with video games then yes it could be a sign of immaturity but there may be a bigger picture here. Just like with any addict, there’s a reason behind it psychologically. Usually past trauma and they use their addiction/obsession like a pacifier that a toddler cannot let go of.
If it’s just every once in a while such as because someone has nothing else to do, they took care of all their priorities for the day and it’s a substitute for their boredom then I’d say no it’s not immaturity. They knew to take care of their priorities first. That’s the biggest difference. They aren’t obsessed with video games nor do they think about them 24/7. Some even use video games as a means to the end of their day and use it to relax after a long busy day but that can easily turn into an addiction if not careful. I believe playing video games at least 3-4 times a week in a 7 day period for about 3-4 hours isn't all that bad as long as they took care of their priorities first and it doesn’t show a sign of immaturity.
All in all, if video games is all that someone can think and talk about all day everyday then it’s an addiction/obsession; it’s unhealthy, a sign of immaturity and possible past trauma that they have yet to resolve. On the other hand, if someone can prioritize their life, focus on their priorities and not play, think or talk about video games everyday and/or all day everyday then I’d say that it’s healthy to want to relieve their boredom and relax with an occasional video game and that doesn’t show immaturity.
*Sorry I tend to write stories* 😬😅
The people who invented video games were all over 20, and many were middle age or older. Those guys are all in their 60s ad 70s now - some are much older. My father is the one who got me started playing and he'd be over 100 if he was still alive.
There are probably a lot more older gamers than you realize.
I actually think just the opposite. I think parents should not let their kids play video games. They need to be doing other stuff at that age, like being physically active instead of staring at a game. I know a lot of parents around me won't let their kids play games, or only allow a few hours on weekends. The only kid around here who was allowed to play ended up failing school and losing all his friends because all he wanted to do was play games.
People would be better off not playing until they are 30 or so and are a little settled in life with a good job.
I sincerely don’t think so. Playing video games can be a way to detach mind from the hectic and stressing daily life, it’s a way to vent a bit and enjoy time with dear persons. I like playing sometimes video games with my best friend, since we played them when we were young m, it’s a way to remind old times and spend a little time together, freeing our minds and putting aside problems for an hour or two.
I comprehend why people can think video games are the expression of immaturity, especially over certain age, but in general psychologists have explained that game dimension shouldn’t be limited only to children, it’s important also in adults. It allows the brain to maintain its elasticity. Think also adult animals use the game dimension in order to do physical activity and to build the group relationships.
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It doesn’t look well because we tend to see a lot of unfavorable traits with gamers.
I will add this though.
In highschool there are two type of competitive guys, which anyone can notice right away:
Gamers
and
Athletes
Guys/ girls into ‘Xbox,’ staying indoors with their snacks or other
and
Guys/ girls who are into being outside, doing hikes and multiple sports
~This category doesn’t fit all of them, but this is a stereotypical majority.
My question now to you is:
Are there adult athletes/ sports enthusiasts?
Pro or not, there are many adults who continue on in sports, and if it is okay for them to continue doing such activities,
then I see no reason why the other end of the stick- gamers, should be treated any different.
It’s their time, and they spend it as they see fit, of course.
Are the two categories a waste of time? Some may think so. Plenty could say things like “those people could be helping feed the poor” etc.
But
the people who fall into these two categories, naturally occupy their time with whichever seems the most ‘stimulating’ for their brain, and the most “fun.”
I don’t think any one, person, could judge any other single person on the matters of fun/ brain stimulation/ and efficient use of time.
That’s just how I see it.
Nope. Video games are fun and interactive media.
What would be immature is if a grown person has no life outside of video games.
I play video games frequently, but it's only a small portion of my "hobby hours". I work (and have a career with goals and all that), I have two physically active hobbies, I play DnD, and I hang out with friends in real life.
It's immature if a grown ass person can't maintain a healthy and fulfilling life outside of video games. Like my ex boyfriends, who would play nothing but clicker or gatcha games, and had no friends or hobbies.
There's a reason they're exes.
Whatttt? No it doesn't make someone immature at all. It's just a fun hobby to pass the time. Some people even make careers out of playing and creating games.
And I've gotten more into video games as a adult since I actually have the money for them now. As a kid my parents couldn't afford to buy games. So for people like me kind of makes sense to play more as a adult.
I wouldn't use that as a litmus test. It's like saying, "anybody who wears that type of hat is immature." You really have to look at stuff like whether the person takes responsibility for their choices in life. Do they ACT as an adult in how they approach life or not. Although... I'll tell you a secret: the standard applied to women in society is WAY lower than the standard applied to men. So if you're a guy and you think you can do anything in the style of females and not have it bite you in the butt.. you're wrong.
Kind of.
Maybe I'm just getting old, but playing video games does something to your brain. And it ain't good. I used to play Call of Duty. Games are overstimulating and cynical. It's like watching porn. Or plugging into the news. Most modern media is part of the same crap and designed to rot your brain and lower your consciousness..
The video games I used to play on me megadrive used to be so much more innocent. But maybe they had the same affect.
But it's all part of the AI-isation and digital enslavement that is the future of humanity.
Partially
Yes it's childish, but it doesn't mean you can't be organized, disciplined and hard working when you're not playing. It becomes different when you are neglecting more important things due to being addicted to the gaming.
Anything in excess can be detrimental. Playing video games so much that other areas of your life become affected is a serious issue.
Gaming, watching tv... etc is also immature if you don’t have free time. To play so much that you neglect relationships, school, sociability, work, reading, writing, out door activities, etc… is a sign of immaturity.
As long as they don't just sit around and play video games all day then it's not immature. Playing video games is really no different from watching movies just like what LazerBeam said.
Growing up is mandatory. But video games are forever ♾
It isn't. It's just a hobby. I see no difference in being behind a pc for the evening, while the one who judged you for it sits behind the TV during the evening. Like any hobby, just don't let it take over your life and you're fine.
Well, I personally find it difficult to accept the premise that playing video games would be an appropriate thing to do for someone my age. It just seems so unproductive and meaningless.
But, then again, I have watched porn sometimes occasionally, and I suppose that isn't mature either.
In today's society, you definitely have let go because Video Games is a Multi Billion dollar industry that affected over Billions of people in the last 40 years. There's Professionals and Expert players that are getting paid a lot of money, There's Game contests that awards competitive players a lot of money all over the globe, There's great games for families of all ages, and you have games that are not for kids, where adults can relate to real things in the real world like NFL (EA Madden), NBA (NBA 2k), NHL (EA NHL), Baseball (MLB Show), Soccer (Fifa), Martial Arts (Tekken), and more especially with graphics that Playstation 3,4,5 & Xbox 360, One, Series plus PC brings.
That would be like saying all teachers are sex offendors, all cops are dangerous to society. Etc.
It’s determined on a case by case basis.
If you’re a grown adult, still live with your parents, either have a shitty job with no desire to seek a good career or you have no job at all, act like an entitled brat?
All those things or a combination then yeah, I’d say you’re immature.
But if you’re a grown adult, is independent, do not live with your parents, and likes to game a couple or two hours after a long day of work. You can go f yourself lol you do you, I’ll do me
Like with everything there needs to be a balance. I love gaming and I love playing co-op games with my boyfriend. But I can't be sitting for hours on end so the time doing it, there's simply too much to do with work, studies, and other responsibilities
I don't think so. I don't play as many games as often as I used to, but it's still a great way to unwind.
What is the difference between playing a video game for 30 minutes or watching a show for 30 minutes? Both are sitting down and staring at a screen.
You have to realize that video games are one of the biggest sources of entertainment in the world. For example, thor bjornsson, strongest man in the world, broke an ancient viking record.. Gold ranked in the video game league of legends. Are you going to call him immature? That's just one example, there's billions of people, literally, playing video games. I'm a game developer and we don't even design games for children most of the time, we specifically craft entertainment for adults to like them. Hell, I'm working on a big horror title, I wouldn't recommend kids play it at all.
No. It's a hobby. That's like saying people who listen to music and watch movies are immature because children do, too. If anything, it's immature to judge a person based on their hobbies rather than their character and responsibilities. If I were to get petty, I'd say anyone who smokes is a loser because they're killing themselves, yet non-suicidal people smoke all the time.
Not necessarily. Gaming is how a lot of people choose to relax. It's not my idea of a good time, but someone's choice of hobby is not a value statement about the rest of their lives.
Nah I've always been called an oldsoul and I've been a gamer my whole life. I got people lying and saying I'm military rather than just giving props.
I feel like lowkey people who don't game are kinda jealous of those who do. Like they get mad we enjoy ourselves and destress from gaming.
Actually most that do are age 18 to 35 and actually video games have benefits hand eye coordination can be greatly improved and strategic video games is actually better than just watching tv show because your involved and keep occupied but most importantly it's fun
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