retired gamers

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..

Well, I'll be 52 in a couple of months and would love to retire but can't.

I bought my first computer in 2000 more to keep my "boy" friend (at the time)occupied. He was quite a bit younger than me and liked the Star Trek games. I didn't think I would ever need a computer for any reason, but totally panic now when my computer goes out for repairs.

Some games came with my computer, mostly arcade type games but also Myst. I didn't have a clue about game genres and bought some games just from the screen shots I saw on sites my friend went on, such as Black & White and Alice. I also bought The Blackstone Chronicles because I had read the books. I tried playing that with him guiding me but just didn't understand what I was doing.

By 2004 the friend was long gone and I needed/wanted a new computer. (Still have and use occasionally the 98 though.) When I got the XP I installed all the games I had accumulated but never played (not the Star Treks)and tried Blackstone again and voila! It all started making sense. I've been hooked ever since and wish I had understood them earlier as I missed out on some good old games.

I am now the proud owner of more than 200 games but haven't played even half of them yet. Most are adventure games and God willing I will be able to play ALL of them at some point.

I have pretty much finished buying up all the older games that I could find that will play at least on the 98 and am current with the new games, I get them as soon as they come out. Now, however, I will need to start looking into Windows 7 I guess, so I can keep up with the new games that won't work on the XP. I'm already running into some problems with a couple of newer games (Still Life 2 - mouse movement too slow to really play) because my stuff is not up to date.

I don't know anybody who plays. I tried to get my sister interested. She played a couple of games but isn't really into it. She does, however, enjoy watching me play and helps me through some of the problems I run into when she's feeling up to it.

Even though I get frustrated within some games at some times, I find they are very relaxing and take me away from other problems. I don't know what I used to do before I found Adventure Games. I also don't know how I stumbled upon GameBoomers but I am so thankful that I did. Gameboomers rock!

Jackie

I'm 69 and my first computer was a Tandy without a hard drive. It had DOS as an operating system. I didn't even want the computer until a friend of a friend introduced me to Adventure games. Then I loved it. I've been gaming ever since. My best friend plays games. She likes the casual games. Since hubby retired, it's hard to get him away from the computer and games. He likes Peter's puzzles and casual games.

I am 63 and have been retired from teaching for two years now. Like many of us who are of a certain age, I know few of my friends who play games and know several who still don't have a computer. However, my most entertaining memories come from the other side of this situation. When a member of one of my high school classes learned that I actually played games and had even written a few reviews, they were amazed. It never entered their 17-year old minds that an old guy like me might actually be a gamer. They ere generally amazed that it was even possible.

Hi its nice to find out there are other retirees playing games. Im 73 and retired at 65, found life boring then one day I was in best buy and saw - wait for it - the crystal key. Fired up my old (windows 98) and started playing and havent stopped since. I cannot find anybody where I live that also plays, they tend to look blank when I talk about games, but most are walking around with a tv remote complaining. Me - well Im lost in Syberia or some other place, walking with dracula or exploring in darkfall. To me its an escape, keeps me thinking learning about things I didnt know and if I get stuck I can come to this site and find friends I dont know who will help. Its opened a whole new world and I luv it. Playing Darkfall 3

Hoooray for all of us retired(but not tired of games)!

I can so relate to what you all are saying-Haze, your comment reminded me of how out of place I feel walking into Gamestop or looking at the games in computer stores.I just pretend I'm "grandma" shopping for "grandchild"
I buy most of my games at Amazon or EBay though.

oldman-Is it really true? Thief IV! These are my all time favorites-Is there any way to get Thief#1 to play on XP? I do have an old WIN98 computer but havn't hooked it up in so long maybe it won't work anymore.
I would also like to replay Indiana Jones Infernal Machine so maybe it would be worth trying.

Can I just say for all of us who are not retired how jealous I am?

I just wanted to say how surprised I was to find out that alot of the Boomers are retired. You all sound so young on the computer. I think gaming must keep you young. I don't think I will ever be able to retire, probably not until I am 98!!(well that's how it feels.)

thracia

Bigmamma1: re Thief The Dark Project. The technical section on Boomers or TTLG.com can definitely get you up and running. Think of all those wonderful fan missions that are waiting for you!!!

In addition to GB and TTLG (Through The Looking Glass, re: Looking Glass Studios developers of TDP and TMA as well as Deus Ex!) technical topics there is my old first Thief forum, EIDOS, the publisher of both TDP and TMA and developer of Thief IV: http://forums.eidosgames.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7. Dusty and Peter will take care of you. Tell them Old Man sent you. I am currently in the process of getting all the previous Thief games up and running on a Windows 7 notebook. TDS and TMA okay so far but for some graphics issues but still playable. Going slowly but that's because once I get one installed and playable I want to play it! So I am.

jody319,

I am in my late fifties(and won't be able to retire for a long time)and I remember Winky Dink (I think that is what you meant) and the green plastic screen for the TV. I loved it! I think that this was the very primitive start of interactive media. I think that the green screen had to be ordered through the mail and I remember how much I loved this show.

Was the decoder ring for Buck Roger's Space Patrol? I remember being a member of that although I really dislike Science Fiction.

I looked online a few years ago and found a site for Winky Dink and it was fun to find it.Thanks for bringing it up. Lots of great memories.

Thanks Oldman for the heads up-I bookmarked the link to the topic of how to get it running and will try it soon-I've been in a taffing mood lately!

Bigmomma1,
My son, my younger brother by some ten years, and my daughter take me with them, to best buy, so I can help them pick out their new computers, and TV's the look on the salesmen's faces are priceless, when my daughter at 55, says we brought mom the geek to help us out. Funny!
Our first TV, black and white. First tv show, ever seen was, wrestling with Gorgeous George. Dec of 1952.
Charllotte

.....and how about pre-TV, sitting around the kitchen table listening to radio shows, Mr Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, the Lone Ranger and Tonto-Hi O Silver!, Sargent Preston of the Yukon, Jack Benny and Arthur Godfry
Little did we know we would be living in a science fiction world, using technology that no one could have even imagined back then. I don't remember ever reading in the sci-fi stories anything like the internet or virtual reality games. Who knew?!

Different radio programmes here in the UK, bigmamma1, but I well remember listening to many, regularly, for years before TV became available

It was 1952 when we got our first TV and we were the only ones to have one in our area, so neighbours used to be invited in to watch "specials".
Tea and cakes thrown in

Same with the phone - although years before.
We were the only ones to have one of those, too, and neighbours used to knock and ask could they make a call !!

Hey GatsbyGirl...you are right on the name, I guess that's what being 64 is all about. Thank you. And as to Buck Rogers, yep, I think that might have been it.

Your comment about interactive "media" makes a real statement I believe that YEP we were in the beginning generation for that...not that the real interactives of today would think so.

Thank you for putting me straight on the name...going to Goggle it right now and be nostalgic for a few mintes.

Jody

I don't know the ages of some of you, but here I am at 79 enjoying computer games. I mostly play adventure games. I'm just not fast enough for most of the RPGs. My only problem, since I am on a retirement income is trying to figure out how to afford all the games I would like to get, so I try to get the large file ones from BigFish when they get them. Sometimes it's a long wait, but I am patient. I hope they get Machinarium as the demo seemed fun.
ruthie

I retired in my mid-40's, which is very young to retire, but that was due to an accident which prevented me from getting around very well.

I got my first computer shortly after that. My cousin suggested it. I think she was getting tired of phoning me every weekend (long distance) to make sure I was okay.

I started out with Windows 95, then 98, 98SE, and then XP. I've stayed on XP ever since. I'll be 59 next month.

I bought a Windows XP for Dummies book and sort of taught myself how to use it. If I got stuck, there was always my cousin I could contact my email. Glad I stayed with it, even though I am still no expert on computers.

I retired in 2007 at age 61. But, I've been playing adventure games since 1996 when we got our first computer....Win 95. My first game was The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff", then "Urban Runner". My gosh that's old!

Then onto Win 98, 98SE, Win XP and now Win 7. I have played all the Tex Murphy games twice. Thanks to GOG.com, I can play TM on Win 7. Man, are those old games pixelated!!!

Anyway, I play something nearly every day. Sometimes, it takes a long time to play a game, dependng on the time I have.

Great question and I am enjoying all the answers!

I just remembered, BEFORE Woodruff, I played Duke Nukem back in '96. Talk about dying every 10 seconds. I still have that '95 game, but it won't play on Win 7 :-P

Happy to be retired! I went early, at age 58 after both my parents needed full-time medical care and then my hubby up and left and I just couldn't handle work and family needs at the same time. I just turned 64.

My first computer experience was when I was teaching Home Economics and the Principal plopped the very first Apple computer in front of me and said, "Learn it and then teach the rest of us!" Duh? I'd never seen a computer, although my Dad was a rocket scientist (really) and the Principal thought I'd be the best choice for this new fangled stuff.

So I managed to figure it out, did a little 'programming', which consisted of copying commands from a book, and eventually got a game up and running for the kiddies. Just words and some 'drawings' but it was exciting. I even managed to transfer some of our book tests to the computer and taught the kids how to use it.

Then I bought myself a Mac SE. I had changed teaching jobs to a Plato computer lab (later changed to Novanet) and one of the kids got me started on an interactive game with the system operators. It was a dungeons and dragons type of thing, very primative but very addictive. It was also the very first 'messaging' since you could talk in real time with the other players with a line at the screen bottom as you played to get help killing things. Very fun. I played day and night, at work and at home. Nothing on the screen but a little drawing of lines and numbers of the monsters,etc. It was a maze of levels and such fun.

So after that, I somehow found 'adventure games'. I really don't know what happened, but I think I bought a used copy of Myst at the thrift store and that was my undoing. After being totally stumped and screaming at my computer, my friend told me about Gameboomers and said it was a great place with good people and loads of help. He was right. Without GB I'd have given up right then. I've played adventure games ever since, everything I can get my hands on except shooters. I have no dexterity and I much prefer the walk around and find things and do things at my own pace.

Just recently, thanks to Gameboomers, I found Casual Games and Big Fish. I can't get enough of those. Easy, can do them a few minutes at a time, don't have to worry about being 'killed' by something.

Still love the big file adventures but nothing much has been produced lately. Waiting for something awesome.

Love being retired, would NEVER go back to work, nope. Enjoying being a Landlord now, which 'almost' pays my mortgage. Love games, love GB, love life.

I've so loved this thread as it has brought to life some of the Boomers who have hitherto only been known to me by their "nom du guerre".
We are encouraged not to reveal very much that could identify us on forums and so it's been fascinating to learn about some of the members of this community. I think it's a great community of people and I'm so pleased to be part of it.
I'm 64 and have only been playing games since about 2004. The only other person I know who plays is my niece whom I introduced to gaming and who gets all my played games.
When I mention games to anyone else they think it is something like patience or first person shooter games. I find it impossible to describe adequately exactly what a point and click adventure game is. Does anyone have a succinct description?

My personal definition.

An interactive story in a fully realized environment, in which the gamer "walks around" in the environments while exploring them, solves puzzles, and (usually) interacts with other characters while learning more about the story. The emphasis is on using your wits, not your reflexes.

This is really odd. Been visiting this site for a few years now and sort of imagined I must be one of the older ones on here. Somehow I had most of you down to be late 20's up though 30's. It appears I'm a bit of a young wippasnappa at 46:-) although I've been playing adventures since my first computer (ZX Spectrum - Dont think it made it to the Americas) in around 1982. In fact it was seeing a review for an adventure game in a magazine that persuaded me to buy a computer.

Jody319,

Hope the Winky Dink sire is still there. I loved finding it because it brought back so may memories of the show and how much I loved it when I was a little girl.

I agree that this current techie generation won't understand how much fun some of these old programs were for us. Kind of like watching old classic black and white movies. We have to have an appreciaition of what came before in order to realize (and appreciate) how we got to where we are now.

Hi gatsby-
That's one thing I like about being older(not getting older!) The ability to remember what came before and what led to where we are now.That's why I enjoy watching the old movies-brings back memories of how different things were back in the '40s and'50s. Maybe that is happening with computer games-"old" being from the '80s and '90s

I too am surprised at how many retired folks are Gameboomers-many times I pictured someone 20 or 30 who is actually 60 or more. Great comments-also enjoy hearing from retirement "wannabes" Just think-you'll never be bored or wondering what to do with your spare time!

If i am not mistaken this site was named after
Babyboomers. So it is no suprize to me that there
are many retired Boomers.
I am 60 and find that the older i get the pickier
i get on games.I know this is said alot but
for me it is true[the older games are better then
the new ones]
I don't know why.The new ones blow the old away
with stunning graphics and sound.
Maybe its all been done before and they have to
try harder.
I to like many of you like the less talk and more
freedom to wonder around on your own.
I find playing with good over the ears head phones
makes the gaming more fun..just saying.Ron...

Just been reading through everybody's replies and it is amazing how many of us started with Myst, they have a lot to answer to, and long may it last. Its a shame there is nothing out there to compare - at least not in my estimation - I'm sure someone will disagree :easter:

I too am now retired as of three weeks ago. I have set up my old W98 for my older games and I can finally sit and play a game well into the night and early morning because I don't have to get up early to go to work. My first game was Myst but the game that really got me hooked on adventure gaming was Under A Killing Moon and to date I have not enjoyed a game as much as I do that one. I replay it every year even though I know how it will end. I too feel an attachment to the older games but I realize that time changes and so must we. We Boomers are adapters and can change and appreciate the fact that the newer games may not be Myst or UAKM but they still entertain and challenge us and what more can we ask.

Oh man!
I still have around 15-20 years before I can retire. That's a loong time!

Although I hate every morning, when I have to leave for work, then it's also OK on some level, since that's where my social needs get fed, lol.

But, it's so lovely to read all these post - and I'm happy for you all, that you now have time to do something you love.

I am so glad this this topic was introduced and just awed by all the responses (hope lots more show up!). Agree with Monbron and others about enjoying Myst and Myst-like games, enjoy the exploration and puzzling-however, did not enjoy the difficulty of puzzles in Myst4, or the 'drawing' in #5. The next one that came out Uru is very interesting and has exploration but also more action/timed puzzles that took away a bit of the enjoyment--BUT still when/if you got past them the exploration was great! The online version is one i enjoy because you get to 'talk' with other 'boomers and also you can get help from them within the game! Enjoy the Rhem games for that reason(exploration)--though with #2 most of the puzzles too hard for me(glad of the walkthrough)but the exploration is wonderful, have #3 on shelf ready to get into after 2, and see that #4 is in the works..i hope for more and more from that developer.
I am so glad i now have time to enjoy adventure games - really fond of the spooky ones(and the BigFish casuals too!). I also remember the first thing i did when i retired--took off my watch--and haven't worn it since!

I've been waiting for someone older than I am, but looks like that is so not going to happen. I can't honestly say I'm surprised as I have long suspected I may just be the oldest one here.
I was born in the Roaring Twenties, the boomer gen of World War One! Okay, so I'm 86 and looking forward to whatever is new in adventuring. The same way I enjoyed the start of the PC games in 1980 with our first Radio Shack TRS-80 when I was 56. Those were the days when something new came along almost every other day it seemed like and my husband bought new computers almost as often. I got the "old" computers when I wanted one and the rest he sold or gave away.
April Fool? I'll let y'all be the judge!

Sorry about that April 1 silliness! My inner ten-year-old got carried away, I fear. I really wasn't kidding about the rest of the post.

Finally found someone in my age group!! I'll be 81 in June and I thought for a long time I was the oldest gamer. After reading through all the responses what more can I add? I got hooked on puters when I "forced" my boss to get a word processor for the office. It wasn't too long after that that the powers that be decided we needed computers. Before that the places I worked we had a closed, locked room with a monster kept under wraps. As for games, my husband is a big fan of Tex Murphy and Myst and he got me interested. Now I play and he's beginning to return interest (especially Big Fish games). So here we are and still going strong!!!

way to go ... bless you all I will be retireing now now but soon maybe in six months ... Cant wait ... love my games too much

Sometimes the awful thought strikes me that I never will be able to retire. Sure would love to retire, though, and spend all the time I'm not tracking with my dog adventure gaming. I've only been at it a few years and I can still remember the "hook" when Grim Fandango got me but I look at it this way - I've still got a lot of the classics to experience. Grim sure made me picky though!

Adorable,

Loved you post! You have a few years on me but I hope that I am still enjoying gaming when I am your age. Great inspiration for all of us. What kind of games do you like to play?

I think I like the third person games the best, but first person is fine too. Also like creepies and horror. Guess I'm just a gamer at heart. Don't care for the rpg's which are practically all you can find in the stores nowdays (except for Nancy). But I have enough unplayed games to last me until the Grim Reaper. I also love the casual games (mostly IHOGs). Thanks for asking.

I am retired, I have been playing games since the famous , that is - ZORK, no graphics, only text.

When people knew I had bought a PS3 looked at me astonished as if I were from Mars, only my grandson found it great, so when he has vacation here can use it too, of course taking turns with me

Fellow retired gamers-You all have inspired me not to give up on old games, old computers(or old people)!
I have finally fired up my old WIN 98 and managed to get Lighthouse installed(in DOS)am enjoying it immensely. Now I have a treasure trove of older games to play or replay.

Didja notice when this thread started and is still going with over 2,000 views? Surely that must tell developers something about us!
We aren't just tired again. We are retired, playing GAMES!

Three cheers for retired gamers!And for Gameboomers giving us a voice.

I can't believe the great response to this topic-shows that there is a market for well done and thoughtful games out there(not just war shooters and sports) and the Baby Boomers are just starting to retire

Have often wondered-is gaming helping our older brains be more agile and perhaps helping with situations where quick response and thinking is needed?