No one to play games with

[Alucard1191]

As a general rule I don't discuss religion or politics with friends. That's how I KEEP my friends!

I honestly wish that was more of an option around here. People bring it up out of nowhere out here. Completely no warning either. I help my wife run a thrift store and you'll say something like "Weather is really nice" and the response will be "Well obviously because global warming is a hoax." In the 8 years I've been out here now I have a lot of examples. As a liberal I also have long since learned to just smile and say, "Oh yeah?" and try to change the subject.

There is even some traveling evangelist groups that set up in a field every year, we have a former employee that had MS. She was super tight lipped about it and also an Atheist. This group came into the store several times to 'pray for her' and crap like that.

Back in the big city, and in my online gaming group, (Pen and Paper RP, things like DnD and Zombies) there is more of a spectrum. Most of the group is from the south, so needless to say they don't see eye to eye with me on everything, but it isn't any kind of deal breaker on either end. They like guns, I don't. Move on. Out here that is a literal 'screw you' to someone. "Oh you don't like guns? Well you can come get them over my dead body you dirty liberal" etc.

Sorry, bit of a rant here. But yeah, I genuinely miss having couch friends you could play a game with, and unfortunately I feel like in the small town that I live in it is practically impossible given how extreme the culture has become.

[Herschie]

As a general rule I don't discuss religion or politics with friends. That's how I KEEP my friends!

This. I quit talking politics, especially on Facebook, because I've lost contact with way too many people over stupid political crap. I'll certainly never mention it on a video game board. Am I a liberal? Am I a conservative? Do I want to reelect Trump? Do I want to feel the Bern? Or does Biden get my vote? You all will never know!

Probably be more appropriate to mention the last video game I played, which would Madden 12 on PS3.

[jon]

I think it comes down to lifestyle. There’s guys I play basketball with that would probably want to play some Neo Geo games with me, but it’s women that get in the way. These guys have women in their lives. Having fun playing video games with the guys means stress in 5)3 relationship. Once that happens the divorce is soon to happen. Hopefully it’s just girlfriends. I don’t even ask guys with women in their lives to hang out. There was one time a couple guys with girls or wives overheard me talking about gambling and were like let’s have a guys night out. I’m not going to ask them to play video games. Once there’s stress in the relationship all bets are off

[David]

I feel the exact same way. People are too caught up in being grownups. A lot of people I think have spouses who get in the way or are just too consumed with having a social life.

About once or twice a month I get together we my pals half my age and we get into a good gaming session. My pal used to have lan parties. We no longer do them. His life is more complicated now. I had moved from my home up north and it took a while for me to get a good gaming network set up again.
I have in various times got good gaming networks set up. Then people get married or their partners get jealous and we no longer play games.

I think it comes down to lifestyle. There’s guys I play basketball with that would probably want to play some Neo Geo games with me, but it’s women that get in the way. These guys have women in their lives. Having fun playing video games with the guys means stress in 5)3 relationship. Once that happens the divorce is soon to happen. Hopefully it’s just girlfriends. I don’t even ask guys with women in their lives to hang out. There was one time a couple guys with girls or wives overheard me talking about gambling and were like let’s have a guys night out. I’m not going to ask them to play video games. Once there’s stress in the relationship all bets are off

Wow. Let me guess, you two are single? I know I’d much rather spend time with people who blame my wife for everything than actually spend time with her. Oh, wait...

[BlasteroidAli]

Wow. Let me guess, you two are single? I know I’d much rather spend time with people who blame my wife for everything than actually spend time with her. Oh, wait...

Wow indeed.


I dated two women last year. I am kind of still dating one this year. So I think you will find that does not make me single. Not that it is any of your business.

So WOW.

[VideoGameCritic]

Well to be honest the big thing that first attracted me to video games was how you do NOT need anybody else to have a good time. Most of the time I prefer to play alone, getting lost in my pixelated virtual world.

I enjoy getting together with my friends but there's not a lot of serious gaming going on when I do. Mostly a lot of drinking and goofing off.

[Atariboy]

As a general rule I don't discuss religion or politics with friends. That's how I KEEP my friends!

This. I quit talking politics, especially on Facebook, because I've lost contact with way too many people over stupid political crap. I'll certainly never mention it on a video game board. Am I a liberal? Am I a conservative? Do I want to reelect Trump? Do I want to feel the Bern? Or does Biden get my vote? You all will never know!

If we had a smiley face giving a thumbs up, you'd both get one.

[TheEagleXIII]

I occasionally game with my wife, but watching TV/movies or playing board games usually tends to take up most of our free time we spend together. She's only really a casual gamer, and neither of us has any particular interest in the modern stuff. But she grew up with SNES, I grew up with Mega Drive... its like West Side Story if it revolved around the 80s/90s console wars

As for my friends, its definitely down to just getting older. Time, money, work, travel, family, kids, relationships. Life takes priority and that's fine - even getting the gang back together just to meet, let alone play some games is difficult. My life has been like that too, though, it's just part of growing up and having responsibilities.

I'm on the solitary gaming side of the scale, though. But multiplayer is always a welcome change of pace. It's always felt more about having a good laugh and socialising, whereas single player feels more challenging/rewarding/immersive.

[Herschie]

I just played Mariokart 64 with the window salesman. He saw my mancave as he was measuring the windows and seemed quite impressed. As he was leaving, he sort of threw it out there that he was up for some gaming, so we played.

I think a lot of us are in the same boat. Five years ago I'd always have people over gaming, now it seems like I can't get anybody. People get busy with their lives, get married, have kids. Often move way far away. It gets harder and harder to coordinate schedules. And believe me, I understand, I'm not one who's up for driving an hour and a half to play some Madden.

And I did not talk politics with the window salesman. So that helped.

[Voor]

The women comments are hilarious, but there is a ring of truth to that. If you have a family, there’s just so much competition in your non-working hours between rest, household chores, kids stuff, spouse stuff, etc etc. and when you do have some time, you may have other hobbies you’d rather enjoy at that moment—movies, books, physical activities, etc.

I got a switch a few months ago and I tend to play 8-10 hours week, split between online with my brother, my kids, and myself; and this is the most I’ve played in a decade (mainly because kids are getting older and more independent.

Im super pumped to have the ability to play with my brother online. It connects us these days and we talk more. Of course, we play after the kids are in bed, typically 2-3 days a week for a couple of hours. True, it doesn’t compare to couch play, but it’s a nice option just to have something regularly.