Age distribution of PS players

[Under the moon]

I completely agree with Raleigh on this one. 'Mature' for me has more to do with the things he mentioned, rather than showing more skin, gore, or the use of...well -immature- language.

If you don't mind, could you list what more 'mature' content in PS would constitute?

[Raleigh]

I completely agree with Raleigh on this one. 'Mature' for me has more to do with the things he mentioned, rather than showing more skin, gore, or the use of...well -immature- language.

If you don't mind, could you list what more 'mature' content in PS would constitute?

There are already some hints. Owning houses should be more complex than just grinding to get the gold and buy them, and of course, there are taxes, but there should be opportunities of tax evasion as well that could then lead to deeper plot lines and allegiances with less than honest underground organizations, for example. Certain types of guilds should have need of financial support and could go bankrupt, an economic model with believable IC inflation could exist too. Persuasion should require more than just rolling dices with stats, roleplaying a "fast talk" could be important as well(this already is possible to happen in player-to-player interactions, though I would like to see it more, it's quite rare the use or respect of PCs charisma around that it makes all my charismatic characters seem useless, perhaps a "you evaluate" message or alike could indicate the first impresssion your character according to the other one's charisma?).

Every single gameplay mechanics and plotline that has a bit of complexity instead of being a thing a 13 years old boy can do, understand easily already makes a game more mature, as it does things that the younger audience won't be interested into(this is quite visible in books. Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, though dealing with similar themes, are focused on completely different age audiences for example). Of course, I would rather to see it as the focus, not as the only thing. The game could still be accessible for younger people, even though I suspect those few of them who are interested in roleplay instead of "l33t l3v3ls" and "ph4t l00t" are usually those who have more maturity than the usual crowd of MMOs and wouldn't have much difficulty digesting the more mature themes("mature" is another thing). Want a minor example of slightly mature themes?

The old SNES Final Fantasy III, although being PG-10, has an history involving power, empires, cities being razed and occupied, unethical exploitation of its magic, and some references to massacres as well, and even without gory graphics, it can create a quite desolate feel in the later stages of it. Suggested violence and the psychological outcomes of violence instead of the act itself with all that hollywoodian/doomesque violence is a sadly underexplored theme and it doesn't alienates people from what violence is.

Deep NPCs and different reactions according to what you say to them(Being very polite would be seen as good for a noblesse type, while the rough survivalist would see it as wimpering pamper, for example), though those things are ahead, for now the charisma idea isn't bad, as long is it isn't badly used and you don't make an ugly uneducated dwarf that can draw more crowds than Jesus or Gandhi.

[Rayken]

27.  I always thought I was an old man compared to a lot of you, but I guess not

[Zan]

I'm feeling pretty young too with my 23 years of experience in life

[kityarah]

Nice to know I'm not oldest for a change lol    ~~~~31

[Mariana]

25

[zanzibar]

Personally, I think it would take more maturity to run a RPG free of violence.

[LigH]

Maturity. In mind. Not necessarily in age.

[Jurrel]

   Well im 37 and most of my guild is between the ages of 20-45.  This was done on purpose our guild is fun and peacful because of it. And those that are younger are respectful and kind.

[foxgamer]

Hey I now know that I'm not in the oldest group! Woohoo! I'm young!

[Pizzasgood]

I'm 19.  I have no interest in obese treasure, nor elite implements of destruction.  Nor the various other "immature mature" stuff previously mentioned.  On the other hand, I'm not really that into role playing either   Some roleplaying is fun, but I don't like having to pretend as much as Planeshift currently requires.  I might as well just turn off the computer and imagine I'm playing it (not that that isn't fun too, but it's a different fun).  I'm sure it will change as more is added to the game though.

I do like exploring though; exploring the terrain, exploring the setting, and exploring the new features Planeshift comes out with every so often.  Just watching it grow is kinda fun.  I don't play much so it doesn't really get boring.  And I do a little questing too.

The fan-art section has also inspired me a little, and if I can get more of the loose ends on my other projects tied up I might try my mouse at some contributions of my own.  Blender gets easier every time I run it, and my Wacom tablet is begging me to give it something to do...

[evil scotsman]

I'm one of those who's age flls into the last category available, mature enough to know better, still young enough to enjoy life, and wise enough to see the potential of this game, (anyone who has witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the bronze doors should know what I mean).

Age is only a number i've been told, and although over 45, ( i'm 46 ), I still enjoy exploring new experiences, nice to see that most of those who have responded to this poll are in the upper reaches of the age range ( so far ).

I would love to see Planeshift develop into a more mature product, getting away from the endless 'hack and slash' of other MMORPG's with their emphasis on killing each other for 'fun and profit', in fact it was this very feel to the community that attracted me in the first place, ( ok, so the rat killing to make enough early start up trias might be seen as hack and slash, but it's only a start), that and the generally mature outlook of what is really only a 'tech demo' rather than a finished, (or even beta), game. Yes there is a long way to go yet, but it already shows so much promise, an adult game, yes, but not in the sense that it contains 'adult' content, in fact I haven't seen anything I wouldn't allow my kids to see.

I hope that this poll and some of the replies in this thread will show that computer games are for all ages, and that it's not the elite sparkly weaponry, or the showing off the top armour to the noobs that makes a game, it's the players and the developers, working together that makes it.

Like others, I was also put off by the emphasis on RP, however I can see the sense in it now that i've explored some of the world we have so far, it gives more depth and richness to the experience, although my characters will always be a little taciturn, and seem less involved, since i'm very much a loner, preferring to see what is over the next hill, or around the next corner.

Did I mention just how awestruck i'm feeling today after my first trip to the bronze doors?

[zanzibar]

I like you.

[RIP]

ok, I'm feeling old now, 44... 

Where/who are the voters over 45? 

[evil scotsman]

ok, I'm feeling old now, 44... 

Where/who are the voters over 45? 

* evil scotsman refers the honourable gentleman to his previous post