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More Older People Are Becoming Gamers, New Report Finds

Imogen Donovan

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More Older People Are Becoming Gamers, New Report Finds

Featured Image Credit: Mart Production via Pexels, Bethesda

A new survey has shown that older people - aged 55 to 64 - have become much more interested in gaming, with this bracket rising by over a third in recent years.

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Yes, it's a cliche, but the hobby really does offer something for everyone. The ubiquity of mobile gaming means that destressing with a game of Fortnite, Minecraft, or even Genshin Impact is as simple as tapping the buttons that you use every day. The Switch is light and portable, offering touch screen controls and a massive variety of games from every era of Nintendo's portfolio, which is another draw for those who haven't played games before. If you know who the red plumber who says "Wahoo!" is, you're practically a pro. The next class is knowing who the green plumber who says "Hi!" is. And then there's those who've leapt into the boundless possibilities of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 has found countless fans among dads who really like planes, and that's almost all dads on the planet. "Gaming can be a fantastic tool that the entire family can benefit from, helping older members connect with some of the young gamers in their lives through shared experiences," said Dr Lynn Love, a lecturer in Computer Arts at Abertay University. "Video games can play an important role in helping individuals to feel connected, and that a little more playfulness in our everyday lives can have positive benefits which expand beyond the game into the real world."

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So, the number of gamers who are around the ages of 55 to 64 has risen by 32% over the past three years. Interestingly, it's not all down to the pandemic. The statistic is taken from data collected from 19,500 people around the world between 2018 and 2021, showing that this demographic was wading into the scene way before they had more time to dedicate to finding out why there was such a fuss about gaming from the whippersnappers. Furthermore, 24% of grandparents and parents said that gaming with their family is quality time. Personally, I'd wait and see how a few rounds of Overcooked will change that perspective. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Please choose one side of the kitchen and stick to it, though.

Topics: News

Imogen Donovan
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