MK11 would be one of the worst examples to start criticizing yourself over. Especially after MKXL, which had a much more grounded feeling to it. MKXI feels like they tried making it more appealing by changing up all the moves, so everyone has a different learning curve. Sub-Zero and Scorpion play much differently. Kung Lao has changed a lot since MK9, where he felt OP. MK changes can be a blessing and a curse. The game is fun to play, but winning against someone takes more than your typical play style. I find it a lot more punishing than any other fighting game, especially playing someone who is more advanced than you.
I haven’t really stopped and I was born in 85. Why hang up the towel? Losing is all part of getting better. I grew up playing KI, MvC, SF, Tekken, Soul Calibur, and Samurai Showdown in the arcades.
I don’t exactly go online every chance I get. I had fun playing the arcade mode when I was at the arcade. I remember people would play as Eddy or Law in Tekken. At the time, it was easy to beat them and they would say “man, you’re good at this”. Then later on you fight someone who wipes the floor with you. This was back in the early 00’s and it’s still the same thing in 2020.
I wouldn’t play games if all I cared about was being good at them online. I’d rather have my own experience with them offline and even online. I’m looking forward to the new Guilty Gear Strive. Someone more advanced than me can teach me something new.
I played a lot of Third Strike years ago. Street Fighter hasn’t really amazed me since SFIV. I have over 100 hours logged into SFV, but it just didn’t grab me with the new characters. I’ve actually enjoyed playing GG Rev 2 and Under Night. I’ve always been a big Arc System fan. I have Melty Blood, Hokuto No Ken, Sengoku Basara X Cross, and BlazBlue. I found it funny because one day I woke up and I realized how many Arc System fighting games I owned. I still play Accent Core.
Summary: I don’t care how hard or who wants to make fun of me. The difficulty and the memorization of the moves fuel me to keep playing. It honestly has not been about the “people” or the “community” since I was in high school and people still showed up at the arcade.
I don’t consider myself a geezer. Age is not important. It’s how you feel about yourself.