At What Age Should Grown Men Stop Playing Video Games?

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Let me make one thing crystal crack clear,  there is absolutely nothing wrong with playing video games as an adult. Dead ass. Whether you’re running 2K in your apartment, grinding out FIFA seasons, or getting smoked by some 12 year old in Fortnite, it’s all fair game. Gaming has become just as mainstream as watching Netflix or scrolling TikTok  and it’s honestly way less brain rot than TikTok. So if you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or whatever and still hopping online with the boys after work, I respect it. We all need our escape. For some people it’s golf. For others (Tate) it’s doing a live stream for over 48 hours trying to win ONE national championship in CFB26.

But, and there is a but,  at what age does it start to feel a little weird, if you’re gaming like there’s 100 bands on the line? Like, if you’re 38, have two kids, and still throwing tantrums in your headset because your teammate missed a shot in Fortnite, maybe it’s time for therapy. I’m not saying stop entirely. I’m just saying… the vibe has to change. There’s a fine line between playing for fun and your whole personality revolving around how good you are at COD. Maybe it’s just because I suck at video games but I have no problem sitting on my living room couch ripping some brews and playing the CPU all night. In fact, I prefer it.

That being said, you could argue that gaming is just the modern man’s version of clubbing. Some people go to the club every weekend to dance, drink, and try to get laid (me). Others go online to yell into a mic, drink beer, and talk to strangers who end up being friends. Same concept, different vibe. Both are loud, chaotic, and sometimes a little depressing. The club guy is chasing tail. The gamer is chasing a dub. 

So is there really an age where dudes should stop playing video games? Or is this whole debate just because of the stigma from the days when “gamers” were seen as dweebs who got no pussy? Because in 2025, everyone plays something. Your boss probably plays Clash of Clans on the toilet. Your uncle (I’m an uncle) is Lowkey pretty solid at Madden. Gaming isn’t “just for kids” Jesus that sounded like a trix ad, it’s just another way to unwind.

Honestly, if you’re a responsible adult, who contributes to society and doesn’t neglect his family so he can focus on recruiting some fake 17 year old QB from Southern California to play QB at FAU then you’re fine. Play what you want, when you want. Life is short. The real loss is letting strangers on the internet shame you out of something that brings you peace.