- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
I am 45, and my sons are 7 and 10. They have played PC and console games since they were about 18 months old. The whole idea of age and perception/comprehension of these games is fascinating to me.
I would say that around age three, a child can understand the relationship between the controller and the virtual 3D environment onscreen. Both my sons were easily able to drive tanks around the map in a PC game called Wild Metal Country about that time. With practice, they were also able to elevate and fire the gun on the tank and beat unpracticed adults with ease.
In a sense then, they could play Halo. However, Halo requires a lot more quick analysis and planning, and it was not until about age five that they could play Campaign effectively. Online play against other people requires yet another level of strategic thought and snap decisions. My seven year old is just developing that, last year he could perform perfectly well, but his gameplay was obviously childish.
An experienced nine or ten year old plays indistinguishably from an adult. All the tricks and strats I discuss with the older boy are fully developed. He plays much better than me, actually, his aim is far superior and he does not fall for traps or give in to frustration and lose it. He plays about a 25-27 level, better in individual than team, and better at slayer than objective. I am better in team and objective because I am old and sly...
On the other end of the calendar, at 45 my eyesight is going, but my reflexes are still as quick as ever. I have big adult hands with a lot of work and abuse and miles on them, and my fine motor skill with the controller is not what it used to be. Still, I see no reason that you can't keep playing effectively until Alzheimers takes your mind and your hands are clawed with arthritis. I know I intend to.