Grandpa says goodbye to online game he's played since 1999

A 74-year-old grandpa is saying farewell to a multiplayer online game that he’s been playing since 1999.

A YouTube video of the unnamed senior shows him sitting in front of three computer monitors, which project his characters from Asheron’s Call. The role-playing game allows players to interact in real-time with other gamers from around the world.

Speaking to his granddaughter, the old man introduces characters he’s created that date back almost 20 years. In total, he estimates that he’s developed around 80 characters. He also discusses the bonds he’s formed with other players while playing the online game.

“I’ve created friends from England, New York, all over the States,” he says. “It’s a great game.”

In December, the American gaming company Turbine announced it would be shutting down the online game at the end of January.

When asked whether he’ll find another game to play once Asheron’s Call takes its final curtain call, the grandpa scoffs in the video.

“Everything looks like crap compared to this game,” he tells his granddaughter.

The senior admits he dabbled with the game Dark Tide, but “didn’t like getting killed by friends.”

He also recalls a time when he came home drunk to play his beloved game and ended up losing all his gear.

When asked what he’ll miss the most about Asheron’s Call, he doesn’t take long to share his answer.

“A time to call my own,” he replies.

In the video’s description, the gamer’s granddaughter writes: “I’m incredibly saddened that he will be losing a game he loves. If you play, you know it’s a close-knit community. There have been weddings and funerals on this game that he has attended with his characters. It’s heartbreaking.”