Sadly upping this thread as another (and younger) industry worker bites the dust:
http://gamasutra.com/blogs/GregWondra/20150209/235998/Death_of_the_Game_Designer.php

Well, fuck me, here we go again with back in the day... Most people ignore the problems of others, but when they have the problem, suddenly is we have a problem.

After reading this thread and other game industry articles I would argue that competition is the issue, not discrimination. Just look at all the entries of what they want: young people with experience. There's not many of these ergo it becomes a competitive issue for those that aren't in that league.

kickstarter incoming

After the 35 wall, you get very few choices. Sell journals on a crappy salary, make your own business (not likely, as most of the people that lost thier jobs at that age won't have the financial power), find temp jobs. There is no more security for old people. As someone said: "No country for old men":)

That's not just gaming industry problem. In the western society it gets rough when you're like 50 and you lose your job because suddenly noone cares that you're actually good at something.
It is very common that what gets you a job is not your skill and experience but outright bragging. Seriously, if you brag convincingly enough with a big grin on your face to show how enthusiastic you are, you're more likely to get a job than applying for the same position and presenting them with your actual achievements and skills.

Basically if you're old, noone gives a shit what you did right and what you're good at, because a younger dude who's just bragging loud enough how he's capable of doing this and that is going to get that job.

Thanks for giving hope to us, the 30-something generation :o)
The elders in my family were basically kicked out before retirement or pushed to the exit. I have one uncle who traveled the world installing computers for Digital, starting in the 60's:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Equipment_Corporation
The guy is really good and a mine of knownledge and stories (went behind the iron curtain in the 70's, worked for Franco, etc.) but all of this is lost :(

I wonder what it's going to be like when my generation reaches 50 and more. Will the elderly people be considered equals or will they be considered useless since like 40?

Interesting article. In one respect it mirrors what I was thinking about the industry. Game development (in particular, AAA game development) is about crunch time. It's about working 80 hours a week (bonus if your spend the rest gaming). If you're not single you're at a disadvantage. It's not particularly an age thing, it's just that when people grow up most of them tend to realise that their time could be spent on more things (like being with their family), and that, not the age per-se, makes them less desirable for such jobs.

Unfortunately, the problem is spread in a number of industries and services. No one wants those old men (and yeah, you are considered old at 35 in our days). So, yeah, not much optimism.

Personally I hate bragging (I can't stand attention whoring) but most people I know have a habit of saying that best sales people outright lie to get a good deal just to get the job or contract. Doing the job is secondary priority since the best person in the world won't earn anything if someone comes along and says "I can do this better for less money" but ends up doing worse for more money after he received the job. I think it's a generation thing; work used to be much more about getting it done and then you are safe. Now you need to scheme, lie and cheat because of oh wait we are back to competition again.

Businesses always lied, employees always lied, unemployed the same. There's nothing new on what's happening now, the scale is different, we are 7 billions now, but nothing new. Just think to things like food safety laws. Do you think they made them because they had nothing better to do?

Unfortunately this is a real issue in pretty much every other industry.

It was fairly revolting to read David Mullich's story. It's a shame we're wasting so much talent and experience due to prejudice concerning age. I thought the gaming industry was better than that... Turns out I was wrong.

Upping the thread with a summary of the conference panel at GDC with the interventions of the orginal poster and other 50+
http://gamasutra.com/view/news/238236/Im_still_creative__Game_industry_vets_rally_against_ageism.php

I'm just trying to figure out how to get royalties from every old fart, hobbling along, with a cane, that I see in games.

I realize that it might require me to get a stick, and walk all bent over, but that's ok.