Some of the Best Video Game Streamers Are Senior Citizens (avclub.com) 38
"As we've discussed in the past, old people are some of the only video game streamers worth watching," writes the AV Club:
Filled with the wisdom that comes from age, seniors are the necessary corrective to Twitch and YouTube channels currently dominated by excitable whippersnappers. Fortunately, as outlined in a piece NBC's Kalhan Rosenblatt that explores this world, video games are gaining popularity among the elderly. The piece references a study that found "38 percent of Americans age 50 and older said they play video games" and looks at those who belong to this demographic....
Our old pal, the Skyrim-loving Shirley Curry pops up, too, when Rosenblatt gets into the seniors who stream games or upload videos of what they're playing online. Curry, who is 83, has "more than 700,000 subscribers on YouTube," and refers to her viewers as "grandkids," is mentioned alongside 66-year-old Twitch streamer GrandpaGaming (AKA Will R.). He streams games that include PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Apex Legends, uploading highlights that show him kicking the ass of other players who, when their age is compared to his, are probably quite literal noobs.
c Rosenblatt mentions the social benefits of video games as well as studies that show how, "with their complex controls and fast pace" they provide "a mental workout for seniors" that could help "delay or slow the onset of degenerative neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia." This means that, aside from providing a subgenre of game streams that are far more entertaining than the usual, these seniors are potentially improving their health as well.
c Rosenblatt mentions the social benefits of video games as well as studies that show how, "with their complex controls and fast pace" they provide "a mental workout for seniors" that could help "delay or slow the onset of degenerative neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia." This means that, aside from providing a subgenre of game streams that are far more entertaining than the usual, these seniors are potentially improving their health as well.
If I wanted wisdom... (Score:1, Offtopic)
... I wouldn't be watching someone else play a video game.
Titans from Arcade Days (Score:2)
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"Being a teenager back in the 1980's I do recall much older pro players of Defender, Donkey Kong, Tempest, or any pinball machine. It's nice to know they have adapted to the modern era of video gaming. "
They? YOU are them now.
Played and wrote ... (Score:4, Informative)
They? YOU are them now.
Not only were todays 50-year olds kids raised on video games but some were also the kids fooling around with Apple II, Commodore 64, Vic 20, and Atari 400/800 computers learning to write video games.
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I used to put a quarter in Asteroids, build up about 25 ships and sell them to the next player for a quarter. Seniors aren't discovering video games, gamers are becoming seniors.
I don't mean to be throwing shade an you l33t young'ns but we are the GOAT! ;-)
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Seniors aren't discovering video games, gamers are becoming seniors.
She would have been in her mid-30's when Pong came around. She probably wasn't all that interested in Pong because their isn't much of a story to it either. Things got interesting once games started going on CDs and DVDs (and I suppose LaserDisc and large format ROM) where substantial space made meandering lore and multiple story arcs possible.
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A lot of those text adventures were a real chore to work out their bizarre puzzle logic and overly specific phrasing.
Happy to hear that (Score:2)
Sitting on the couch and playing computer game is a very good past time for someone whose body is frail and can't move much. I wish that more people realized it and gaming and porn would gradually become something that senior citizens and cripples do instead of healthy teenagers.
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The problem with that is, very few seniors have the neuroplasticity to learn modern video gaming. To be good at it when you're a senior, you have to do it regularly throughout your life. That's not just relative to gaming, that's relative to *everything in life*.
Those who start later in life are categorically worse at a given activity. Look at the top leaderboard or achievements on every single video game older than a decade. Every record is going to be held by someone relatively young.
I also say this as a
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Dude, not a couch but a big recliner chair and work table that will bring the screen and keyboard to you, so as not to too excessively disrupt the view from a big screen and on nice days a window with a view. For extended play, find ways to game in comfort. Whilst older gamers certainly can enjoy gaming only younger players can truly get excited about but both will swear at the screen when it comes to frustrating games, older people will just do it more colourfully.
No surprise (Score:3)
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We invented lawns too. Now get off my rock.
Comment removed (Score:3)
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Any know study on the elderly dementia statistics and comparing the general population to those that play games? If there's a substantial difference, perhaps gaming is the cure to stave it off.
Or it could be a sign that people with dementia can't play videogames well.
They can take my mouse and keyboard... (Score:1)
c'mere sonny... (Score:2)
I will kick your ass on Fortnite. I love multiplayer racing games as well.
On the internet, no one knows you're old.
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College age students going, "shut up kid" because they can't handle the repartee.
Teenagers going, "I fucked your mom" without realising she's the same age as their grandmother.
Children ranting that I'm terrible because.. I'm actually using tactics and team play instead of sprinting into trouble.
Ah, online gaming is a great source of entertainment.
Grandma vs British Gas (GTA V) (Score:1)
Work for British Gas do ya? [youtube.com]
from the mr-obvious dept (Score:2)
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It's called...retirement.
Old age and treachery ... (Score:2)
Generally true, but... (Score:3)
I am pretty good at simulation driving. To the point I was approached by two professional simulation racing teams. As soon as they found I was in my late 50's - nothing, sorry, we decided to go a different way. I didn't fit the model they had. I don't begrudge them for trying to appeal to their ad demo, particularly, but at least one was associated with a company whose primary market is old rich guys undergoing their mid-life crises. It's OK, because I actually still have a *real* job anyway, but still.
Card games (Score:2)
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Multiplayer, and unlike the younger set we don't give as much grief.
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I've run a gaming league for over six years. To respond to Ostracus below, my league doesn't allow drama.
A benefit you won't find in a bridge club is we have members of all ages. Very social and we all have fun. A detriment is keeping rein on all the vulgarity.
Bullshit (Score:1)
I don't understand old people who are bored (Score:3)
I'm old.
I don't get people around my age who are starting to retire and complain they have nothing to do and are bored. My God, I wish I had the time to play the games I want to play.
I just hope by the time I end up in a nursing home they are equipped with decent VR stations. Just plug me in in the morning after breakfast and don't bother me until it's time for dinner. Then take me back and plug me back in again.
I Doubt It (Score:4, Insightful)
Not that I've ever been a serious gamer, but I don't see how the average older player can keep up with a teen. I vividly recall my nephew becoming a teenager (many years back now). We played video games on the PC often while he was growing up; I'd back off and take it easy on him and let him win a few because he was just a kid after all. Then one day, he's lapping me at Nascar Racing. Then he's lapping me multiple times despite my best efforts and doing burn-outs and rubbing it in the whole time, mercilessly. Turd.
Even if you played night and day, I don't see how a senior citizen can match the speed and reflexes of a teenage boy.
calm (Score:2)
these older folks are probably very relaxed and calm in during their video game sessions and might even have interesting things to say during play, compared to the younger ones who do nothing but shout and scream and make jokes that are at the level of terrance & phillip.
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Hey, easy there, T&P are Canada's greatest philosophers.
Senior Citizen Take Care Posture for video game (Score:1)