When are you too old for FM?

[larsson-is-god]

My relationship with FM goes way back to the days of ‘Champ Manager’ which is in fact the title I still use to this day when talking about the game.

Recently, and having just bought FM23, I have began to wonder (and worry!) when will I be “too old” for playing this game.  At present I find myself aged 45 with 2 kids, a wife and a middle manager job still finding a few hours per week to escape in to the world of ‘champ’ and am increasingly enjoying this.  My son is now a ‘gamer’ and there are times I am slightly embarrassed when he catches me playing on the laptop or as has been the case more recently dipping in to some YouTube content!!

My query and internal conflict is when should I stop being a ‘man-child’ and begin to act my age or do I still have more time in the old legs yet to continue developing those lower league sides to CL glory?

[KillYourIdols]

You never get too old to do what you enjoy.

[kevhamster]

25 minutes ago, KillYourIdols said:

You never get too old to do what you enjoy.

This. I'm 40 and have been playing computer and video games since the days of the 48k Spectrum. 

I have three kids with the oldest being 22 and the youngest being 11.  They all like the fact I'm into games and the youngest likes me to join in with him when he's playing something. 

As you get older and have responsibilities, it can be easy to forget to unwind and do things you enjoy. The key is not allowing that to happen. We all need leisure time and it's not down to anyone else to judge us for what we do in that time. 

[phnompenhandy]

I'm in my 60s. A few years ago, I had to keep deleting the game because it was interfering with real life. I'd go cold turkey for 4-6 months before crawling back. But now I've retired, I have time. My 9 year old niece that lives with me watches and expresses an interest to play, but I have to explain she has to get into footie first before understanding a complex game like this. No need to hide it from her though - she thinks it's cool that an oldie plays computer games.

[Federico]

Nobody is too old to do whatever he wants. And especially in this community you'll find a lot of aged people still being extremely passionate about FM and VG in general.

[sdx15]

You're to old to play only when you can't work with the mouse anymore. Just enjoy FM. It's a hobby just like anything else.

[DementedHammer]

If you're 45, you're probably around the average, if not slightly to the younger side of the bell shaped curve of the FM player base!

If it still brings you joy, then there's nothing to worry about.

[el_manayer]

If you are already older than 29 you should consider selling yourself and buying a new promising teenager to play the game for you, so you can sell him after a few years and repeat.... mmmm maybe I played the game too much...

Jokes apart, what is starting to limit me is my eyesight, even though I am only 31 I have a small problem that got worse and my eyes get tired extremely easy when there is much text with a lot of contrast. I would not be able to enjoy the game if skins weren't there.

[gunner86]

I’m 36 and have no interest in slowing down. In f lacy I’m happier now my real age is realistic for a manager.
Married,  2 kids, and a proper job now. If anything I find it easier to play now as I have no socialising to get in the way. Once the kids are in bed, I can knock out a couple of hours with a movie on or while the missus watches <insert reality show du jour> and everyone’s happy.

[TheGrahamF]

I'll never be too old for FM.Im 31 and have found my interest in games in general is going and few get my interest but not for FM.Still love playing it,watching and reading stuff about it.The only problem is finding time!

[fc.cadoni]

I am creating profile manager with my age (IRL) and finish my save until I reach 65 y/o (inside the game) for retirement. The "problem" is that every year I am see approach the retirement faster. Hahah 

[kevhamster]

47 minutes ago, el_manayer said:

If you are already older than 29 you should consider selling yourself and buying a new promising teenager to play the game for you, so you can sell him after a few years and repeat.... mmmm maybe I played the game too much...

Jokes apart, what is starting to limit me is my eyesight, even though I am only 31 I have a small problem that got worse and my eyes get tired extremely easy when there is much text with a lot of contrast. I would not be able to enjoy the game if skins weren't there.

I hear you on that.  I had a cataract removed at the age of 33 and so glasses are now a necessity.  The artificial lens you get to replace the cataract-ruined one only focuses on distance so anything close up is a blur without glasses!

[gunnerfan]

I'm 69, and I've been playing since CM99. I have no intention of stopping, certainly not because of my age. After all, age is just a number.

[Pasonen]

I think it should be asked when you're too young for the FM

[kevhamster]

6 minutes ago, gunnerfan said:

I'm 69, and I've been playing since CM99. I have no intention of stopping, certainly not because of my age. After all, age is just a number.

I couldn't resist.  I'm a child despite being 40.

[Crispypaul]

Never - I'm 41 and still play FM (since CM 00/01) and many other games

[roykela]

Never too old. 43 here and i will never quit playing FM, unless they stop making it or i physically cannot play it.

[Minotti]

Im 39 so I dont feel too old but I do feel like Im in a situation where FM feels very limited in how much they change stuff. Kind of like those FIFA fans. Reasons explained in my other post

[jlammi]

I am 49 this january... not too old.

[rusty217]

When you're dead.

[gggfunk]

Never. For me FM is more than just a game, it's a part of my biggest hobby - football. I love watching football on TV and play FM at the same time - it combines so great!

I'm 31 and this is the only game I play, other games don't interest me anymore (maybe I'll do an exception for GTA VI when it's finally out).

[larsson-is-god]

Love this take on life - looks like I will be carrying on regardless 

[keysi]

The older I'm, the more I love playing it despite all the bugs. And in combination with thinking about the game and writing about it, it's better and better. As many people said, you will never be too old for it. It would be the same as if you would say that you are too old to read books or drink beer. I love my family but there will always be a place for things I love to do like playing FM.

[BayernMB]

3 hours ago, larsson-is-god said:

My relationship with FM goes way back to the days of ‘Champ Manager’ which is in fact the title I still use to this day when talking about the game.

Recently, and having just bought FM23, I have began to wonder (and worry!) when will I be “too old” for playing this game.  At present I find myself aged 45 with 2 kids, a wife and a middle manager job still finding a few hours per week to escape in to the world of ‘champ’ and am increasingly enjoying this.  My son is now a ‘gamer’ and there are times I am slightly embarrassed when he catches me playing on the laptop or as has been the case more recently dipping in to some YouTube content!!

My query and internal conflict is when should I stop being a ‘man-child’ and begin to act my age or do I still have more time in the old legs yet to continue developing those lower league sides to CL glory?

I'm two years younger than you, have 1 child and same issues :). But don't worry - our parents would also play FM if it was around when they were young. We just happen to be part of a generation that grew up with computer games. 

[Tony Wright 747]

I am 73 and waiting to see much better graphics before I die

[XaW]

3 hours ago, larsson-is-god said:

My relationship with FM goes way back to the days of ‘Champ Manager’ which is in fact the title I still use to this day when talking about the game.

Recently, and having just bought FM23, I have began to wonder (and worry!) when will I be “too old” for playing this game.  At present I find myself aged 45 with 2 kids, a wife and a middle manager job still finding a few hours per week to escape in to the world of ‘champ’ and am increasingly enjoying this.  My son is now a ‘gamer’ and there are times I am slightly embarrassed when he catches me playing on the laptop or as has been the case more recently dipping in to some YouTube content!!

My query and internal conflict is when should I stop being a ‘man-child’ and begin to act my age or do I still have more time in the old legs yet to continue developing those lower league sides to CL glory?

Wear the badge of the gamer with pride. When our daughter gets older both my wife and I will show her the joys of gaming as we both share an interest for it. Why should this form of entertainment be any less than showing your kid the joy of films, reading, art, or sports? All of these are things that people enjoy and spend their spare time doing, and gaming is the same. Been gaming since the late 80s and don't see any reason to stop any time soon. Of course, time becomes an issue when one chooses to take the responsibilities of the adult world, such as having a child, but the joy is still there when time allows.

Having a hobby as gaming has nothing to do with being a "man-child". As long as you are there for your family what you spend your free time on is your choice alone. I know I spend my time on FM (and here being a forum police) without any concerns about my adult status!

[priority76]

125 is probably pushing it a bit.

[Steve1977beyond]

I'm 45 with 2 kids also and I still play FM. It's the reason why I loved FM13 classic and FM18 touch.FM and games in general are a leisurely pursuit. No different from your spouse playing 'Candy Crush' or whatever is popular these days or going out to play football, fishing etc. If you enjoy playing FM, as long as you're not neglecting fatherly duties then you'll be fine

[stevie_G_32201]

We don't  stop playing games when we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing games.

[grade]

The real question is are you patient enough for FM?

If you are... have fun! Play away.

[kstoyle]

44, divorced (not FM related!), 2 kids, stressful job.  Plus I do the research for Torquay United and am in the game.  Cant remember being so into FM or playing it as much as I am now. 

[DominicForza]

5 hours ago, larsson-is-god said:

My relationship with FM goes way back to the days of ‘Champ Manager’ which is in fact the title I still use to this day when talking about the game.

Recently, and having just bought FM23, I have began to wonder (and worry!) when will I be “too old” for playing this game.  At present I find myself aged 45 with 2 kids, a wife and a middle manager job still finding a few hours per week to escape in to the world of ‘champ’ and am increasingly enjoying this.  My son is now a ‘gamer’ and there are times I am slightly embarrassed when he catches me playing on the laptop or as has been the case more recently dipping in to some YouTube content!!

My query and internal conflict is when should I stop being a ‘man-child’ and begin to act my age or do I still have more time in the old legs yet to continue developing those lower league sides to CL glory?

The guilt makes it HOT

[CalumF]

Im 41 and live with my 11 year old daughter. I see the girlfriend at weekends and occasionally one night during the week. Not sure she could live with me full time because I have sky sports news, football and/or football manager on constantly. Im happy. And thats the main thing. 

[Pafnus]

I am 30. Play started to play CM 3.. and i played all versions of fm as time passed.

 

Now i am a doctor.  But i am playing fm too.. i think everybody loves fm who really loves football..

[XuluBak]

Such a strange question. 

I think one of FM's biggest selling points is it's very easy to "pick up" and "put down" as time, responsibilities, etc. allow/require. In other words, it fits in around "adult life" better than most games. 

[larsson-is-god]

4 hours ago, XuluBak said:

Such a strange question. 

I think one of FM's biggest selling points is it's very easy to "pick up" and "put down" as time, responsibilities, etc. allow/require. In other words, it fits in around "adult life" better than most games. 

Query wasn’t so much to do with ‘time’ and more to do with ‘age’ - just a thought I’d been having

[anpuerta5]

On October 26 I will fulfill 57, the output of the beta in the next few days will be my best gift.

[Dagenham_Dave]

I'm 52 and have been playing football management games since I was 12 when I played the first Football Manager on the ZX Spectrum. 

I will die before I stop. 

[dennie]

39 been playing sins cm days , if you like it keep playing I say.

[gothenburg83]

7 minutes ago, Dagenham_Dave said:

I'm 52 and have been playing football management games since I was 12 when I played the first Football Manager on the ZX Spectrum. 

I will die before I stop. 

Pretty much the same as this, other than I’m 49 rather than 52! 

[Brother Ben]

This question is like catnip to this forum 

[busngabb]

Haha, no one is ever 'too old' to do anything really. If you get enjoyment out of it and it's not highly illegal, then crack on until you can't enjoy it anymore.

The thing with age and gaming is a silly one. The people now in their early 50s through to the 40s are really the first decade of people who grew up with gaming being an ever present part of their lives. You don't see many 70+ playing, not because they feel too old, but because it was never there for them to get into when they were a child. There are plenty who have picked it up along the way too, which is great.

A final point to note is that continuing gaming is likely very good for you. Science is swinging back towards gaming being a positive and provided you don't start throwing water bottles in disgust because your crown green bowling buddy missed an easy one I say keep going. It'll keep the brain focused and it'll be a superb mental workout.

[RCCook]

I've played numerous sports simulation games since I was a teenager, but didn't start playing FM until I was 37. Turned 51 in June, and no plans to stop playing any time soon.

[stevedaytona]

I just turned 60, and I am waiting with baited breath for FM23.

I'll let you know when I'm too old for it!

[Powermonger]

19 hours ago, KillYourIdols said:

You never get too old to do what you enjoy.

Please tell that to my wife 😁

[SC00P0NE]

There are popular people on youtube in their 60s, and such old-timers built a career on games which are way more childish than playing FM is.. I don't think that stigma (haha, playing video games as an adult!) is gonna survive this decade tbh..

Edited October 19, 2022 by SC00P0NE

[DazRTaylor]

20 hours ago, larsson-is-god said:

My relationship with FM goes way back to the days of ‘Champ Manager’ which is in fact the title I still use to this day when talking about the game.

Recently, and having just bought FM23, I have began to wonder (and worry!) when will I be “too old” for playing this game.  At present I find myself aged 45 with 2 kids, a wife and a middle manager job still finding a few hours per week to escape in to the world of ‘champ’ and am increasingly enjoying this.  My son is now a ‘gamer’ and there are times I am slightly embarrassed when he catches me playing on the laptop or as has been the case more recently dipping in to some YouTube content!!

My query and internal conflict is when should I stop being a ‘man-child’ and begin to act my age or do I still have more time in the old legs yet to continue developing those lower league sides to CL glory?

I’m 46, married with two kids and have played every single edition since 1992.

FM is the only game I am guaranteed to pre order every year.  I rack up thousands of hours every year.  I intend to keep going for many decades yet playing this game, health permitting.

My youngest, 12 years old, plays now too so that’s two copies.

[thefmveteran86]

I'm 36, single and still loving football manager games ever since CM2 when one of my relatives (my mum's cousin son or something like that) introduced me to that game and not looked back since 

[kevhamster]

I think the conclusion we have is there is no upper age limit. If you have something you enjoy, then there should be no shame in that. 

[kopfan1977]

When it stops being enjoyable!