With Father’s Day fast approaching, I wanted to reflect on what it’s like being a gaming dad in 2025. As a millennial father of two, gaming has taken a back seat, but it hasn’t disappeared. With a bit of passion (and a partner who gets it), you can still carve out time, even if it’s not always ideal.

I started working in the games industry at 21, with zero experience in marketing or advertising. One of my first campaigns was for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I remember scoffing at the idea of targeting 34-year-olds on Facebook; now I am one.

Back then, I assumed that if I ever did hit my mid-thirties, my gaming habits and parenthood would be incompatible, that gaming would become a forgotten hobby, filed away in the memory bank. Fast forward 16 years, I turn 37 next week, and I can confirm not only am I still gaming, but I also have other interests and hobbies that take up the little time I do have, more on that later.

Sure, the way I play has changed. I no longer have the freedom for long, uninterrupted sessions. Becoming a dad for the first time was a total life reset. The sleepless nights, the new routines, the mental overload. In the early days, even thinking about booting up a game felt indulgent. But as our daughter grew and our family found a rhythm, I began rediscovering the joy of short bursts of gameplay.

So how do I do it? Well first I picked up some essential dad hacks.

Get portable: Portability is a lifesaver. Steam Deck or PlayStation Portal sessions during nap time, bedtime TV, even the bathroom (lock on!).

Choose short-session games: Call of Duty, Street Fighter, anything that doesn’t require a two-hour commitment. Sorry, Elden Ring.  

Maximise solo time: If the kids are out or napping, I make every minute count.

A typical evening after dinner, my wife would take care of bath time while I did the dishes. If I move quickly, I squeeze in a few Call of Duty rounds before being summoned for milk and stories. Fun fact: I’m now 350+ hours deep into COD, which I wear as a badge of honour.

Over the Christmas holidays, I squeezed in Silent Hill 2 and Astro Bot - rare golden evenings when my wife went to bed early. It meant I could sit in the dark with headphones on and a whisky in hand, fully immersed, trying desperately not to scream in horror. For a while, I genuinely felt like I was "back on it."

Then, in March of this year, our son arrived and once again, things slowed down. Those precious minutes I had to game before my son was born were gone. It meant after dinner not only would I have to clean up and wipe down but I would also have to look after my son whilst my wife was on bedtime duty.

That being said, 2025 hasn't been the best year for IPs I’m excited about. These days, every new release competes not just with other games, but with work, kids, hobbies, and the need to rest. So yes, I still game, but I’m extra selective.

Gaming has matured right alongside us. We now have platforms that suit every kind of lifestyle, from handhelds to cloud streaming. We have emotionally resonant, story-driven games that speak to our stage of life. God of War, Death Stranding – these "dad-core" titles reflect a market that’s grown up.

Gaming has become something of a self-care ritual. Whether it’s a few rounds of Street Fighter or catching up on the latest trailers and reading about what awesome games are on the horizon while feeding the baby, video games and parenting have merged in new and unexpected ways.

And let’s not forget: dads are spending. We’re buying collector’s editions, plushies, and merch, sometimes for our kids, often for ourselves. Gaming is no longer something we grow out of; it's something we grow with.

I’ve also rediscovered my love for Pokémon collectables and ’90s action figures. I picked up a new road bike, started cycling, and even squeezed in some fitness to fight the dad bod. And yet, gaming remains a core part of who I am. 

Now that I’m raising kids of my own, I often think about what their first gaming memories will be. What will their first console be? Will they even like gaming?

What I do know is this: fatherhood and gaming aren’t at odds, they’re evolving together. Video games and parenting can coexist in ways that bring joy, connection, and a bit of magic to our busy lives.

So, to all the gaming dads out there balancing work, nappies, and late-night raids: you’re not alone. You’re part of a new era. Your gaming life isn’t over, it's just entered a new level.