I’ve answered so many questions like this so forgive me if I come across as a dick, but there seems to be a lot of people like yourself out there, maybe I can liberate your mind from the prison it’s in, Respectfully speaking here. Who are you to judge how someone entertains themselves? Especially if it makes them happy?
I’ve only ever ran into this problem with women, all whom have a horrible outlook on men who game, this post isn’t about just women here either, this is purely from my experiences and not all women think this way. This isn’t a post to bash women, and lots of other people think this way too, especially parents, but I’ll get to that later.
My partner watches nothing but soap operas or reality tv. I personally feel like it’s garbage tv or a waste of time, but it makes her happy and it entertains her, who am I to judge? Could you imagine for a minute that I would say to her to stop watching that stuff, and tell her that it’s a waste of time, or that she needs to grow up? Do you see how horrible of a mindset that is? Not only is it controlling but disrespectful. I’ve come across a few women in my time that tried making me feel bad about my hobby and I told them to kick rocks. It’s a giant red flag when someone takes offence to how one chooses to entertain themselves, especially if it’s not hurting nobody and most importantly, it makes them feel happy.
I’m a 42 year old man who grew up with video games. Obviously I don’t get to play as often as my 7 year old Nintendo days due to life responsibilities, but I still manage to game for about 3–5 hours a day, and Sunday being my true gaming day. It’s no different than a man coming home after a hard days work and watching tv or a sports game.
Most men my age are out of shape, drink, smoke, are never home, or have serious problems with their wives. I’m in shape, don’t drink, don’t do drugs, and am a bit of a homebody. This is me not gaming and enjoying nice weather being physically active staying lean with weight.
My current girlfriend loves it because she always knows where I am, and her last boyfriend was never around and she never knew where he was. So what did she do? Well, not only has she not trashed my hobby, but she bought a Nintendo Switch and games with me. Her and I beat Super Mario Oddessy together, and I bought her Zelda Breath of the Wild for the Switch and we beat it together, I was in my man cave and she was in her living room and we were both playing it at the same time, often comparing notes and helping eachother with secret shrines and puzzles. This is a woman who works for the RCMP and has never played an RPG in her whole life. I’m talking about hundreds of hours played together. Now we’re playing Fortnite almost every night as duos getting Victory Royale’s.
In my opinion video games are no different than watching tv or movies, and I feel like they’re even better because you get to interact personally with them. We all literally have one life to live here on this small rock flying through space, and do you really think I’m going to let one persons judgement on my video gaming as a man get in my way? Hell no.. Remember, Nintendo kids had to grow up and become adults too, and there’s no little switch that turns off because of your age.
Below is a picture of me winning 2nd place in a Street Fighter 5 Tournament, this was the Cineplex WorldGaming Canadian Championships sponsored by Cineplex Movie Theatres. I got 2nd place dude, I was 38 and guess what,? Nobody seen me coming… Well, maybe except for maybe the 1st place guy. Nobody there knew I grew up playing fighting games in arcades with quarters. These fighting games I used to play in arcades just simply transitioned to home console gaming. This tournament was meant for me. I was a statistical anomaly. Because I wasn’t playing for money I gave all of my winnings to the last place player to share it however he saw fit, the younger kids need the money, I work full time for a living. Video games, they did this. This is memory I’ll cherish forever.
The beauty of video games is there is no barriers, no age limits, no gender limits, and it brings people together. The social aspect of video games are literally insane, especially with a huge focus towards online multiplayer games. One of my best friends is someone I met playing Call of Duty back in 2007. He recently got married and I was his best man down in Atlanta,Georgia. I’m Canadian so this was quite an experience for me, video games did that.
If you think Zelda is for kids and a waste of time then that’s your opinion, but it sounds to me like a brainwashed opinion that was influenced by a negative person or people you met in society. I’ll be gaming when I’m in an old age home and die a happy man. The most important thing in my life these days is self happiness and peace of mind, I have both of them. Maybe you need to find something that makes you happy and not focus so much what makes others happy. That mentality is toxic.
There’s plenty of other things people do to fill their time that’s childish, bad for you health, or waste of time. Adults can spend a lifetime at dead end job that’s a waste of time all while becoming miserable and depressed. With your mindset, what’s next? Are you going to say that adults that watch Cartoon Disney movies are being immature? New Star Wars stuff is coming out like the Mandelorian, it’s causing adults who were raised in the 80’s with Star Wars to cry with tears of joy.
Is them watching that stuff childish or a waste of time? Like I said before, your mindset is holding you back and you need to evolve a bit.
Any Zelda game I’ve played is like reading a mythical novel, but you’re the main protagonist and it’s your story to play. Have you ever truly played a Zelda game? Besides the gameplay, the music is soothing, the quests give you a sense of accomplishment and pride, and the puzzles encourage you to use your brain. There is no movie or tv show on the planet earth that can allow me to do and feel what I’ve mentioned above. It sounds to me like you need to take a weeks holiday off of work and lose yourself in a Zelda game for awhile, maybe you’ll get it. Here’s a list of a few to try out, I could give you some retro ones, but since you’re a non believer I’ll give you some more modern ones that may change your mind.. In no particular order.
-Legend of Zelda:Wind Waker-Nintendo WiiU
-Legend of Zelda:Twilight Princess -WiiU
-Zelda Breath of the Wild-Nintendo Switch
-Zelda- Links Awakening-Nintendo Switch
Remember friend…There’s worse things out in the world that people can be doing than video games. And for any kids reading this, show this post and photo below to your parents to further prove my point. ⬇️
