If it's too loud you are too fucking old.

Too old to play video games? I don't think so. I am a member of generation X, the generation of video games. Are there other generations that overlap with mine that love of video games, sure. But what I am trying to say is my generation was there from the birth of video games to the current evolution.

It would be silly to think that just because we got older that we would stop playing. But, the question is, as we get older do we still have time to play the way we want to? Most of us are married, have jobs that are demanding, or have kids. This drastically reduces the time we have to dedicate to anything additional in our lives.

So, do we just become the “old” man or woman that logs on every once in a while while the youngsters run the corp? Do we lose our ability to participate in a meaningful way? I say no. If the game is important to you then there are plenty of ways to still be a productive part of any corp. Hell, there are plenty of ways to run a productive corp.

The first thing you have to do is determine if this game is really where you want to be. Our priorities change as our lives changes. Don't lie to yourself and accept roles and responsibility in your heart you can't live up to. I know I have done it in the past for various reasons and it never works out well.

The way I see it the only thing that has changed as I have gotten older is I have to be more responsible in how I play. No more skipping class or not studying for a test. I have to go to work, I have to be prepared to do my job. Do I skip the Wednesday night roam because I have to be at work at 4am the next day? You bet I do, not only that but I tell everyone a week out that I won't be there.

I plan my time in Eve out in advance. I set time to handle corp issues and I schedule roams that won't take away from my family life. I am always looking for ways to maximize my play time. Additionally, I do my best not to allow others, particularly those outside my corp, to steal my time. Time in game is a valuable commodity that can be taken from you. My time in game is dedicated to my friends in my corp as soon as the admin shit is taken care of. No random convos, no answering emails. Just straight up enjoying the game.

Do the youngsters have an edge? Sure, extra energy and time to waste. I will take my extra life experience and a better understanding of responsibility any day. I know I don't have time to waste, so I do my best to use it wisely.

Will I always succeed at controlling my time and doing the things in game I want to do? No, because real life will always be greater than Eve. But I refuse to believe because I have gotten older that I cannot participate in this game in a way that is fulfilling and successful.

*steps away from the computer and turns up the volume*