There’s also a good chance that the day in question never dawned. These days, everyone has a cellphone and games are by far the most popular type of apps, with approximately the same number of annual downloads as the second and third most popular categories combined. Age is no barrier to enjoying gaming, and the sheer number of adult-only gaming sites, like the dozens of casino platforms on CasinoWatch, shows that “gaming for grown ups” is big business.
However, the really interesting point is that it is not a case that the kids of the 80s and 90s never outgrew gaming. Those parents who looked on in consternation and are now grandparents in their 70s or 80s are finally joining in the fun, too.
Popular games for seniors
Before you rush away to challenge Granny at Grand Theft Auto or Fortnite it is worth taking a look at the types of games that are favoured by older gamers. Yes, there are those casino games we mentioned earlier – you only need to look at the typical clientele in the casinos on the Las Vegas strip to understand that slots definitely appeal to people of a certain age.
But there are also games like Sudoku, crosswords and even the ever-popular mobile online scrabble game Words With Friends. These are the type of games that have always been popular with the older generation as a way to pass the time and stay mentally sharp. When you look at it that way, is it really such a big surprise that they have migrated from playing them in newspapers and magazines to smartphones and laptops?
Benefits of gaming
That aspect of retaining mental acuity should not be underestimated. There have been numerous studies carried out by some of the most respected research institutes in the world and they have all agreed that playing a video game for even 20 minutes each day aids mental agility, memory function and even motor skills.
That’s well and good, but given the events of 2020, there are more straightforward reasons for seniors to get online and play a game or two. The social aspect of games like Words With Friends or live roulette is hugely important in an era when loneliness among the elderly is such a big problem. When it comes down to it, playing a game with someone, whether it is another septuagenarian or a teenage grandchild, is a fun way to spend an hour or two. Surely that is reason enough to log on and let the games begin.
