Does Gaming Become Irrelevant - The Three Principles

Despite recent studies releasing information that the average gaming age has increased to approx 25-28 in male and female genders does this fact truly reflect the current situation, and more importantly, does it apply to me? I am an 18 year old student and after beginning to fade away from my PS2 from late 2006 - I decided to take a plunge and purchase my heart racing desire, a PS3. But why a year later, have I only used it sparingly by myself, moreso with friends, for a total of probably a weeks game time?

I have been a gamer ever since playing Mortal Kombat on the SEGA Mastersystem II, then I was given a Nintendo Gameboy with Super Mario Land 1/2 for christmas, in either 1994 or 1995 meaning that I have been involved in gaming for at least 10-11 years. Through this time I have seen the inception of 3D Consoles, myself purchasing a Playstation back in 1997, a Playstation 2 in 2002, and finally a Playstation 3 in 2007, as well as numerous hand held consoles, PC Games and a short lived experience with Nintendo Gamecube and XBOX 360. Yet as I look back on some of the great titles I have played, the Metal Gear Solid Series, The Grand Theft Auto Series, Halo, Tomb Raiders, I seem to have come to a point where Gaming has become Irrelevant. No longer do I sit for hours on end meaninglessly trying to accomplish the completion of a game within the fastest time, or in order to unlock that extra secret. Or even just to have a good "session".


A Matter Of Interests?
It may be argued that in fact gaming is not as popular with me certainly as it used to, due to a change of interests, more outside interests and activities, but this could'nt be more false. In fact I regularly join in discussions with the UK and USA gaming community, always checking the latest news via the internet and magazine medias, and to be truly honest, the past few months has seen me do pretty much nothing at all, which I find weird as why is this time, in which I am doing nothing, not being devoted to a good old game?

For example, I still recall hammering away at the mudane yet addictive career modes of WWF Attitude, and the Smackdown PS2 series, way into the early hours of the morning, often forgoing any outstanding homework I should of completed or revision for prior exams. So what has changed? I have summed it up to three basic principles.

The Principle Of Expense
The Principle Of Quality.
The Principle Of Interest.

The Principle Of Expense
Having my own employment now means I have to foot the bill for gaming software myself, however, my purchases before were if anything rare - I was never a spoilt child. Maybe the fact that £38-50 for a game which I may very well complete within a few days is off putting. Surely a game I anticipate months before release should also off great replay value?

The Principle Of Quality
This is perhaps the most defining and yet the most controversial Principle. Despite many fans of all games and consoles to me for my console, PS3, there are not enough quality games that would allow me great replay value or interest. Namely the reason I brought a PS3 -was of my like for the Playstation consoles, my back catalogue of PS/PS2 Games, and Metal Gear Solid 4. (Of course other games, GTA/WWE/Warhawk/ were also wanted) But due to the MGS Series only being on the PS3 that was a sole reason. Now it seems that there is no game I wish to play. I have interest in others, but I'm disappointed that besides online, I pretty much feel no point in replaying MGS. I have camo, and all so why continue?

The Principle Of Interest
The above pretty much leads me to assume that subconsciously with a degree of unawareness, I have just, not grew out - that would suggest gaming is childish, but moved away from gaming. It no longer holds the huge interests that it used to. Sure it is great to have multiplayer battles with friends, to pass the time having a virtual shoot out or kick around but other than that, my PS3 is collecting dust, only being used for DVD/Blueray viewing. Which is to say I have something I paid £450 including games, an extra controller for little over a year ago, which is being used as a standard DVD player, in honesty. It appears that I would rather watch a whole TV Series, a film or even go the gym instead of a game.

Summary Can It Really Be True??
I guess I have to admit personally I've just lost interest. Which is shocking to myself, and fellow friends. Especially with the birth of next gen, it is just that no game appeals to me in the next year. People will indefinitely read this article and state the endless list of awesome games that are to be released, but the fact is none appeal to me. I find myself playing on my PS2 games more now than ever, if I ever use the machine. I have the pinnacle of gaming consoles a few feet away which has lay dormant for the past 45 days.

Pray For Me!
I have even considered removing it, trading it in, at least for a 20GB version, I have a sense of possession over it, I do not want to get rid of the PS3 all together, because I fear that as soon as I do I will have a craving for gaming again. I have considered another console but after having a 360 and taking it back not long after I feel that a WII would be pointless for my needs. The same occurred with the PSP - which was a great technological feat, and addicting, yet the cost of games for that and my PS2 was off the chain. In conclusion I do not believe that it is a matter of age, no -no , it is a matter of interest. Yet somehow I have lost. Pray for me.

Reads like a blog entry instead of an article. Interesting yes, but some scope would have been cool.

People will indefinitely read this article...

addicting

could'nt

F'NARR!

It may be argued that in fact gaming is not as popular with me certainly as it used to, due to a change of interests, more outside interests and activities, but this could'nt be more false. In fact I regularly join in discussions with the UK and USA gaming community, always checking the latest news via the internet and magazine medias, and to be truly honest, the past few months has seen me do pretty much nothing at all, which I find weird as why is this time, in which I am doing nothing, not being devoted to a good old game?

For example, I still recall hammering away at the mudane yet addictive career modes of WWF Attitude, and the Smackdown PS2 series, way into the early hours of the morning, often forgoing any outstanding homework I should of completed or revision for prior exams. So what has changed?