So, XWM was my first 'hardcore' game. I soon picked up SWLCG afterwards, but that's not the point. I've been playing for about a year now, and one thing that always amazes me is just how few teenagers there are that play it. Actually, I can't say that I've come across any. I've seen a few <12 kids that play with his/her dad (never mom though). But then I'd say mid 20's is the lower end of the age bracket.

But maybe that's just my local area. My question to all of you is if this is a trend you've come across in your area as well, and what the range/average of players for your group is. I don't plan on doing anything with this data, I'm just curious since similar games seem to attract a much younger crowd, and I'm not entirely sure I fully understand why. Maybe it's just the star wars theme allows all the folks that watched the OT in the theaters live out their childhood dreams of flying an X wing!

I'm pretty thankful this hobby isn't infested with children. It's nicely out of the price range of many younglings. Around here the average age ranges from mid/late 20's all the way into their late 40s.

"gaming" games in general tend to appeal to 20 and 30 somethings more than younger kids. The teenagers frequently latch onto RPGs. I have always figured it is a disposable income thing. Teens just don't have the money to get into miniature games as much as people with jobs do.

Teens just don't have the money to get into miniature games as much as people with jobs do.

This is a bit part of it. Most teens or even collage aged people don't have the money for a tabletop mini game. X-Wing is pretty cheep compared to 40k or even Warmahoards... But it's still not cheep compared to some other stuff out there. In a way even MtG is cheaper, because while someone might spend more money over all, 1 or 2 boosters per week isn't a lot of money.

Go to any LGS and you'll see few young people playing any sort of tabletop miniature game.

As a 24 year old, I actually know a few teens that like the game and have a great attitude towards it. I and my brother have even helped get them stuff for the game. There is no reason to not want kids playing the game, if anything they tend to take the game less seriously and enjoy just playing more then some of the adults I've seen play. I think the issue some have with kids is the same that can roll over to adult players as well, not getting along with others or not knowing the rules and not caring/fudging the rules.

There is no reason to not want kids playing the game

You haven't played with many kids. I've seen the horrors of the under 14 crowed in Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer, and Flames of War. It's not a fun experience when they start melting down.

I'm 23 and most of the people ibplay with are roughly the same age. That being said I think this is one of those games that every can be happy to play. I'm taking it with me over the summer when I go to see my grand parents. My grandma loves any game where she can beat me.

Over here in blighty.

Most players I know are between late 20's to late 30's

Well lets remember that kids are the future of any game. It is the responsibility of our generation of gamers to educate younger players. We do that by getting them to play and learn the Etiquette or social skills to work and interact with other people. My son started gaming a age 6 playing Star fleet Battles and he hd to learn how to interact with a much older crowd. So letsjust not could out the younge crowd, after all we were there at one time.

Its not so much I mind teenagers playing, in fact I enjoy it. But I'm also a video gamer and I'd be lying if I said teenagers didn't ruin online gaming at least a little bit. Not to mention its just nice to have an adult, in depth conversation about something while playing. Yes, teenagers are capable, but they are also just as likely to make **** and fart jokes.

...But it's still not cheep compared to some other stuff out there. In a way even MtG is cheaper, because while someone might spend more money over all, 1 or 2 boosters per week isn't a lot of money.

I just can't possibly agree with this. $100 can get you at least one tourney worthy list. You arnt going to do that in MtG. If boosters are cheap but you rarely get cards you need. You certainly aren't going to field a tournament quality deck in mtg through booster packs. $12 bucks gets you any small xwing ship you want. No "wasted" money.

Red 39 checking in, 40 in August. The guys I play with are in their late 20's.

I have no issues playing with anyone so long as they act maturely.

Over here in blighty.

Most players I know are between late 20's to late 30's

That's the crowd I run into as well, but I would expand it to late 40's.

Now that you mention it. The 2 tournies i went too had 2 players under 27.

Both were kids of an older player.

The little girl was 9 i think, and she was a blast. She flew in formations and her smack talk was so cute you didnt want to shoot her.

I swear little purple kittens were flying those xwings.

One of my friends lost to an 8yr old girl in a recent tournament. He will never live it down.

Personally I'm all for kids in games like this. I've got a great handle on losing graciously because I was a college athlete and got my butt whooped quite a bit. There aren't as many intellectual pursuit that develop similar social skills so I think stuff like this is great for kids.

I will be 47 in May.....I have no issues playing with teens. That is as long as they are more mature that the ones on X-box live......those boys need to at least wait till their voices change before they cuss me out, and hold off on the personal threats until they have some chest hair

One of my friends lost to an 8yr old girl in a recent tournament. He will never live it down.

Personally I'm all for kids in games like this. I've got a great handle on losing graciously because I was a college athlete and got my butt whooped quite a bit. There aren't as many intellectual pursuit that develop similar social skills so I think stuff like this is great for kids.

I hear you man, im a buffalo bills fan. Losing is an art form.

One of my friends lost to an 8yr old girl in a recent tournament. He will never live it down.

Personally I'm all for kids in games like this. I've got a great handle on losing graciously because I was a college athlete and got my butt whooped quite a bit. There aren't as many intellectual pursuit that develop similar social skills so I think stuff like this is great for kids.

I hear you man, im a buffalo bills fan. Losing is an art form.

36 here. A lot of my playgroup hovers in the 30s. We have one kid who is late teens, and another in his early 20s. Back home in VA, it was 30s and above too.

Again, that is all stuff that rolls over from being either an adult or teen, its a person personality and how they are raised. I was playing table top since 13-14 and most players enjoyed my company because we would talk about tactics, have good sportsmen ship, complemented each others great play, etc. Magic breeds a certain group, while in my LGS I over heard an older guy just trying to BS rules (I don't know them but I could tell it was not the correct way due to how every one was reacting and how he would react when they would bring up the rulebook/FAQs) so magic is a bad pool to pick from. I've had people just flip out they were losing to a younger player as well. Then I've had a really shy teenager that started to play and he actually opened up while playing, literally the first time I had ever seen him so happy and animated which that alone made that game enjoyable. So, don't just generalize the whole group of players because you've had a bad experience or two, because I've had my fair share from both groups and both can be great players but each have their problem cases.

Ages in our gaming group run from early/mid 20's to mid to late 50's plus a few offspring in the 10-21 range.

I find it hilarious that anyone would consider XWM a 'hardcore game' No insult intended but what is the context? Most of my crowd grew up playing miniature wargames (before GW came to dominate the industry and gamers imaginations/wallets) and/or role-playing games (before they were played on xbox,etc...), so... if miniatures were in my budget as a high school student, they shouldn't be out of the question for today's youth.

Chris

I've played with quite a few teens and even a 10 year old in a previous game. My friend's 10 year old daughter also tends to play at tournaments. All have had more mature attitudes than various "adults" in real life and online.

Fortunately there is no Clone Wars stuff inside, so not attractive for (most) kiddies.

This is very pleasing. Not that I dislike kids ... its just ... yeah you know what I mean ...

I actually prefer kids (-12) as opposed to teenagers. The kids are fun but mostly respectful while the teens are starting to find their attitudes and aren't scared to use them.

Exceptions to the rule, etc.

... hm ... I remember one situation while an ongoing 40k battle on the neighbour table with a green kiddie as a player:

I DON'T WANT MY SERGEANT TO BE DEAD!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ...

22 here, played with people in their teens and people in their 40s. Never had much of an issue with anyone I've played.