Kids These Days (and X-Box LIVE realizations)...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 12:18 pm

Okay, something has been bothering me recently and I need to get it off my chest so hear it goes…
 
 WHY THE HELL DO I SUCK AT VIDEO GAMES SO BAD COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD !?!?!?!?!?!
 
 Let me start by stating that I am currently 30 years old and grew up an average video game player. I never did have an Atari but all my friends did so I played it just about as much as the next kid. I really got into games when I discovered that certain mind altering chemicals (which shall remain nameless) and Super Mario for the NES mixed quite nicely. I must have stayed up all night playing that game more times that I can count on my hands. Which then led me to the classics like NES Wrestling, Punch Out, ect…
 
 I then continued my gaming career with late nights on Sega Genesis and Super NES playing everything from Toe Jam & Earl to Madden and NHL, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, FIFA, PGA, more Madden, you name it. I was very much a console gamer through college and after.
 
 Okay, enough of my history, I just felt it was important to bring up so I can verify that I have much experience and always was VERY competitive in these games (I could definitely hold my own, if not dominate a few here and there). I remember I was TOTALLY unbeatable in NES Hockey. Which now leads me to my main point:
 
 X-Box LIVE (and online play in general) has made me realize that I cannot hang with the gamers anymore. I am getting my ass kicked left and right in all the online games I play now. I wanted to share this because I see some of the same frustrations coming from others on this board in the Top Spin and Amped threads. I was pretty good at Ghost Recon when it first came out for X-Box, but now my ability has crumbled along with all the other online games I play. I am lucky if I win one out of every ten games of any online sports game I play. And now, looking at my stats in games like Rainbow Six, and Top Spin, I just downright suck ! What is it !?!?! I used to be a contender !!!
 
 This ‘kids’ nowadays are just wiping the floor with this old man and I am getting really frustrated. What is it ? I am no less coordinated than I was tem years ago. My reflexes seem to be about the same. My eyesight is still 20/20. I can’t figure it out. The only thing that I can attribute my newly found lack of gamer skills is the amount of time I have to invest in one particular game at a time. Obviously for a lot of us, the older we get, the more ‘other’ responsibilities creep up and take priority (damn kids and there need to be fed and looked after <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif"> ). But I still invest a pretty good chunk of my free time to gaming and I don’t think it should be as heard for me as it is to hang with the ‘big boys’ in games like RS3 and Top Spin (again, considering that I ‘thought’ I was a wiz at Virtua Tennis and Ghost Recon when it first came out).
 
 This now leads me to my other issue/question: How the hell do these guys get so goddam good at these games ? Like Top Spin, we have all been wondering just how the hell some gamers out there are able to play the way they do and why we can’t be more competitive. Now I am seeing it when playing ‘Team Survival’ in RS3. There are guys out there who have 2000 kills and only like 300 deaths, where I am at like 60 kills and 140 deaths. Granted they have obviously spent more time playing than I have or can, but, even with my limited play, why can’t I be at least .500 or above with my kill to death ratio ?!?!? I feel that I am better than average at this game and when I play with my buddies I am usually leading, so what gives ?
 
 I would love to hear everyone else’s take on this topic, as I do not think that I am alone in my curiosity/frustration. Is there a ‘secret’ pill that I am not allowed to know about that enhances gaming skills ?!?!
 
 Anyway, it doesn’t bother me that much, it’s just that I found myself getting frustrated this weekend while playing RS3 and getting my ass handed to me, then looking at these other players stats and seeing the outrageous numbers they put up. Then I started trying to play at my absolute top level, and still got my ass handed to me.
 
 Please share with me ! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">
 
 Signed,
 
 Old Man Gamer Hands

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 12:58 pm

Spooky:
 
 I hear ya man. I´m 34 and have on average one hour per night to game. I love Live and being able to play against real opponents but these kids who play 6 hours a day and know the games inside and out just slaughter me when I pick a quick match online. That´s why I love Poker Nights. It gives me one night a week when I get to compete with mature gamers in my general skill level. Not to mention that they´re a pretty cool bunch of guys.
 
 I realize that I´ll never again have the time to invest in gaming that the average 13 to 19 year old is going to have. My career, my family, and my other responsibilities come first but I will always be a gamer. So I just hope that Poker Nights or some similar event continues so I have a gaming night where I don´t feel totally pathetic. If all else fails, I can always resort back to single player gaming. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">
 
 mixdj1

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:10 pm

Ya know Mix, the funny thing is that most of these LIVE gamers who are putting uo outragous stats, seem to be around our age (granted they are probably very anti-social with no wife/girlfriend and/or kids to look after).

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:19 pm

As long as I´m improving in each game and having fun, I don´t really care if I get my ass wiped, for a couple of reasons.
 
 One, I don´t spend anywhere near the time on games that teen-age and college kids do. I have a job, a wife, kids, other interests.
 
 Two, I don´t define my manhood by success in video games.
 
 I´m competitive as hell in real life, and I am in video games, too. Hence my swearing in so many XBL games! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 
 But I´m also a realist. And I know it´s going to be next to impossible for me to compete in a game in which I´ve spent one-eighth of the time as some teen or single guy with tons of time and desire to play.
 
 The only games in which I can pretty much jump in and be competitive from the get-go are racing sims or arcade games with decent driving models, such as Moto GP 2. That´s why I´m eager for Project Gotham Racing and Sega GT Online later this month, as I should be competitive out of the box. At least I hope!
 
 Let´s face it: There also are some nights where I just don´t want to play. Last night was a perfect example. I watched soccer and some other TV and read. I had zero interest in playing video games last night, so I didn´t.
 
 Balance is crucial in my life. And there´s no f*cking way I´m going to spend four hours per night getting good at a game just so I can say I´m rated No. 100 in the world or say I´m 67-4 in Top Spin.
 
 Video games don´t define even .001 percent of any success in my life. They´re a hobby, one in which I spend a good chunk of time, but a hobby in which I interact with some cool people. Nothing more.
 
 Again, as long as I´m improving and having fun, I´m cool with gaming.
 
 Take care,
 PK

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:21 pm

Spooky,
 
 Just to let you know, you´re not alone. I too am 30 years old and have come to the realization that I just don´t have the time nor the energy to hone my gaming skills to compete with a teenager. While we grew up on Intellivision, Atari, and the NES, it seems we also spent our quality time playing ball outside or running the neighborhood with friends. Seems as though kids these days don´t do that as much.
 
 Thus, they come home.....do their homework and then really get down to what matters to them. They most likely play these video games from after dinner and on. The parents probably don´t mind as much because they´re being quiet rather than cruising the streets.
 
 For those of us like you and me, it´s taking pleasure in the enjoyment of our kids and spending quality time with the wife first and foremost, and then video games as a side hobby. Too many of these kids take it extremely serious whereas I just don´t have that competitive edge like I used to. Further, as you touched on, they play ungodly more hours than you and me. I´m lucky to pick up the controller until 8 or 9 on the weekdays, and sometimes 10 on the weekends. Teens are playing in the morning, afternoon, and evening on the weekends. It´s just common sense they´re going to have the gaming edge.
 
 Thus, what is the solution to your problem? Well, for one look at the topic of the post Pk had running for Top Spin: Wanted lousy gamers. Really, the topic of the post should have read was: Wanted....Gamers with responsibilities and a life who suck at Top Spin. It´s all about surrounding yourself with other gamers of your skill level. There are plenty of us out here. As you stated, we grew up playing video games. So.....you gotta think there are plenty of us upper 20 and 30 something gamers still out here....struggling....aggravated......frusturated.
 
 In the end, just realize the stage you are in your videogame life. It´s not as bad as you think. Game on.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:32 pm

I do alright at football, which I´ve been playing since the Intellivision days. I think because that sport blends strategy more than the other sports games.
 
 Doing pretty well with ESPN NFL and this is the first year that I´ve owned a VC football game. I see people charging up and using special moves, which I never use (just never got around to learning them). I do well just by playcalling.
 
 I haven´t gotten into the other sports games like basketball which just started being offered online. But I wasn´t nearly as good in offline multiplayer basketball or hockey as I was in multiplayer football. Used to be pretty good at multiplayer baseball so I´m really looking forward to playing online baseball.
 
 I don´t think it´s purely reflexes either. The sports games are so motion-captured animation intensive that I dont´ think the player control is nearly as responsive as it used to be in the pixel days or even the PSOne days. Unless the younger kids are good about timing their inputs to when the animations end.
 
 In other games, I do rather poorly, like SOCOM II and tricks games like Tony Hawk. I believe it´s just impatience and unwillingness to really delve into these games as much as the sports games. For instance, in SOCOM, a lot of maps call for stealth, which I have absolutely no interest in. I rather go blasting in and kill or be killed instantly.
 
 I like the leisurely pace of strategy games (which I hope come to console online gaming) but in these "action" games, there´s impatience there.
 
 There´s a Trivial Pursuit online game coming out for the PS2. There, being older should be an advantage over these kids.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:35 pm

Having a video-gaming past similar to yours and being 33 years old, I think you hit the nail on the head with not being able to spend as much time gaming as you could/did in the past.
 
 Having a wife and son (with another child due Friday), there are many times that I don´t get to play videogames all week and can only squeeze in an hour or two on Friday or Saturday night. I also don´t have the desire to explore games as deeply as I used to. I think this also has to do with my limited time and attention span.
 
 Being ´older´ gamers also gives us the ability to pretty much buy new games whenever they are released or whenever we want them. Younger gamers don´t have that flexibility and wind up playing the same game for so many hours because they don´t have any new games to distract them. Personally, I just started getting good at ESPN NFL Football and along comes ESPN NBA Basketball which is now dominating most of my game time.
 
 With the scope of the Internet for online gaming the simple fact is that you will have the oppurtunity to face the best-of-the-best. Just like any other sport - the competition would be much tougher worldwide than just competing against people in your neighborhood.
 
 Finally, I agree with your last post. Some people just have no lives.
 
 Jason

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 1:48 pm

"There´s a Trivial Pursuit online game coming out for the PS2. There, being older should be an advantage over these kids."
 
 YEAH ! That´s coming out for LIVE too ! Let´s show those brats who´s boss !!!! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> I am actually excited for that game though.
 
 PK and Sport,
 
 You guys are 100% right on about gaming and it relating to it´s importance in our lives (especially PK and his comparison to manhood), however, I did not mean for my post to come across like I am feeling like less of a gamer or man beacuse of it, more just a venting and realization that I can´t hang anymore.
 
 I get frustrated though when I do decide to invest some good hours in a game like I did with RS3 this weekend and still not see any results. I feel that I have the same ability and strategy as the next guy in RS3. I just cannot seem to do it on the same level.
 
 Let me get this across though, I DO NOT CARE ABOUT MY RANKING in any LIVE game. If fact, I am pretty much against the ranking system online as a whole since it causes all the cheese and cheating and other idiotic behavior. I just am confused at why I am really that different

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 2:39 pm

Hi......my name is RallyMonkey...........and i
 ´m, i´m, err, i´m a 32 year old bad gamer.
 All: "Hi Rally"
 
 Just wanted to join the fray and share that i too feel like i´ve lost my skills. But, like you guys, with a wife, family, and actual career I just don´t have the time. Not only little time to game, but so little time to jump online to hear some jack*** talk crap or feel it´s his place to make my down time his forum to support his habit of idiocy. Guys i play regularly like Spooky, pk, Sport73, etc make the game fun because they treat it the way we older players expect it to be treated. The talk is fun, the gaming is fun, and the smack, if any, is totally good natured. I find myself playing a lot of single player if i don´t see you guys online and i expect this to continue. So, long story short, LONG LIVE the 30+ gamer and "WAR" (Rome talk) fun games with whatever outcome they may hold.
 
 I´m out.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 3:26 pm

Jason nailed my situation exactly.
 
 With a family, I only play a few hours each week, but I still manage to buy (well, more like trade for) several new titles. Heck, these past two weeks I think I picked up seven games!
 
 I´ll play a few minutes with each title each session, get a taste for all of them, yet master none! This is fine for me, and I prefer variety over mastery, but it really shows once I take these games online.
 
 And I agree with the sentiment that these messageboards provide the best folks to game with....
 
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 5:35 pm

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2003-11-10 11:26, webdanzer wrote:
 Jason nailed my situation exactly.
 
 With a family, I only play a few hours each week, but I still manage to buy (well, more like trade for) several new titles. Heck, these past two weeks I think I picked up seven games!
 
 I´ll play a few minutes with each title each session, get a taste for all of them, yet master none! This is fine for me, and I prefer variety over mastery, but it really shows once I take these games online.
 
 And I agree with the sentiment that these messageboards provide the best folks to game with....
 
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 
 And you pretty much nailed my gaming habits exactly Web !!!
 
 Variety over mastery ! Perfect wording !!! That has been my ´unamned´ motto for a while now. Thanks for giving it a name. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 5:56 pm

Spooky, I am with you 100%, but I will go even further... I have ALWAYS sucked at most video games, even from my early days with the Magnavox Odyssey and Atari 2600.
 
 It is kind of a joke within my family that I have spent so much time and money with this hobby over 20+ years, but still suck.
 
 I am usually only decent at racing games. I thought I was pretty good until I first went online with Nascar Racing back in 1995. Then I found out real quick that there were people with crazy good skills.
 
 I just try to have fun and get better. Only when I am no longer making progress, do I get frustrated. Right now I am about at that point with TW 2004 (PC). The recently ended tournament I was like +53 or something for 4 rounds. I feel like I am getting worse with no explanation for it. Grand Prix Legends is another one. I have been in a love/hate relationship with that game for 5 years now.
 
 In the past, I too spread myself thin with many games across multiple consoles and genres. I still come across PC games on my shelf that I never actually opened. I can remember a couple PSX games that never even made it out of the shrink wrap. That has changed completely for me over the last year. In the old days I probably averaged 4-6 games a month. I think I have only purchased 4 or 5 in the last 10 months.
 
 I also have much less time these days, so I just try to not be the absolute worst or last in the world. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif"> [ This message was edited by: DChaps on 10-11-2003 14:01 ]

BBReBozo · Post by **BBReBozo** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:32 pm

DChaps was my partner at Peugeot during the classic SR Fantasy Rally way back when and I must say he was an excellent teammate. As last place finisher on every stage of every rally, it was his responsibility to pull up all the signage and road cones for all the courses.
 
 I´m sure the WRC officials appreciated your assistance, Don! <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif"> [ This message was edited by: BBReBozo on 10-11-2003 14:33 ]

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 6:55 pm

Hi, my name is Sport73, and I´m a videogame loser...
 
 Step 1 is accepting the truth. Only 11 more steps to go...
 
 I´d like to add that I´m the guy who got his ass handed to him by Spook in many a Ghost Recon Poker Night...So, if Spooky sucks, what does that make me?
 
 I´m OK with losing. At least I can do it without quitting or cheesing like so many online. Competition is the key, if at least 1 out of 10 games lets me feel "in the hunt" before I get smacked down, that´s enough to make it all worthwhile.
 
 AFTER ALL, I´M A RED SOX FAN...LOSING IS A WAY OF LIFE!

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 7:35 pm

Spooky it´s because you don´t have time to play 4 hours a day.
 
 I used to play tecmo bowl back in middle school like it was an obsession. Now I play WE6 and maybe some Madden on average an hour a day. WE6 actually is more satisfying than watching TV now. (I can´t take any more cops, lawyer, reality TV on mainstream TV).
 
 It´s all about the practice.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 8:30 pm

Spooky, I´m 32 and I understand how you feel.
 
 I have varying success online.
 
 Last week I was ranked as high as 16th with Top Spin winning 11 out of 12 games.....but I haven´t played since.
 
 I suck at GR and other shooters online....terribly...
 
 I´ve had success with ESPN Hockey and 2K3....and Amped 2 so far....and was preety good at Fever..
 
 I think I do somewhat well with the sports games because I am a pretty good athlete and continue to play baseball and basketball competetively.....
 
 I also teach and coach so I think it helps me figure out what I need to do to be successful at the sports games...
 
 But I only play games 1-2 hours a day tops....and go from one game to another on a weekly basis...hence I haven´t touched Top Spin in a week because of time spent with Pro Evo 3 demo, ESPN NHL and NCAA Football 2004.
 
 Last year Grogs 2K3 league had around half the players 30+ and the other have under 25...us older guys used to joke about the competetiveness of the youngsters...they took everything so seriously....
 
 we need a 30+ leagues for us...that would solve the problems I think...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 8:41 pm

And what´s the deal with this ´Clan´ s*** too !?!?!
 
 People get waaaaay deep into this stuff. I was playing with a bunch of people in this ´Clan´ the other night and guys came in and out of the session because they had to go and fill in for another guy in a scrimage session. That´s deep! I mean, not only do these guys have scrimages, but they actually have subs if other guys can´t make it. That is dedication.
 
 I guess I am still somewhat competative at heart and sometimes it gets to me when I feel like I can´t keep up with a game that I know I am more than decent at. I really think I should be able to compete with these guys a lot of the time. I guess I have to lower my expectations of my abilities. Again, it is not a big deal, really, it´s not, I just have moments of frustration and long for the glory days... <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 9:33 pm

We have a clan here at DSP, Spook...
 
 It´s called Poker Night...
 
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 9:56 pm

"DChaps was my partner at Peugeot during the classic SR Fantasy Rally way back when and I must say he was an excellent teammate. As last place finisher on every stage of every rally, it was his responsibility to pull up all the signage and road cones for all the courses. "
 
 "And what´s the deal with this ´Clan´ s*** too !?!?! ´
 
 
 
 Funniest things I´ve read so far in the funniest thread I´ve seen in a long time. Thanks for the laughs Spooky <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_biggrin.gif">

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 10:41 am

Well, what can I add to this thread? I´m 24. I don´t spend nearly as time on viedo games as I did a year ago. I don´t have as much free time now since i´m back at school and have my full time job, girl etc etc. I´ve always been pretty good at bball games, and not bad at football games. I don´t cheese when I play, but I am competitive. The simple fact is that most players you find online have an absurd amount of time to play games and just flat out learn details that give them an edge doesn´t matter how good you are. I really hope you guys pick up Inside Drive so we can have some fun non-cheese games. Competitive of course <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_wink.gif">

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 11:52 am

Yeah, I´m only 21 and I can´t spend nearly as much time as I used to on video games, or even hanging around with my friends, as I used to be able to.
 
 I have to read at least a book a week (sometimes 2-3), work around 17-25 hours, spend time with the girlfriend (if we even have time), work out with one of my friends on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and do other miscellaneous things. The only "sure day" that I have to do things is Saturday nights (which I usually spend to go downtown and destroy the brain cells that I´ve been working so hard to enrich.) The bulk of the rest of my time is spent teaching myself PHP/MySQL so I can run my ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 league at www.xshockey.com . Coincidentally, NHL 2K4 is the only game I´ve had time to play since school started this semester (September 7th). Luckily, I´m good enough at that game to beat most people and give the best players a run for the money (sim-style only, of course).
 
 The life of a pre-30 year old ain´t all peaches and cream, although most of us don´t have to take commercial pitches from Bob Dole seriously.