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Older Gamers Getting Attention

Posted by Zonk on from the hope-my-old-age-is-as-interesting dept.

PenguinRadio writes "The Washington Post is writing about Barbara St. Hilaire, a 69-year-old grandma and a fanatic video game player. Apparently, the 'AARP generation' of gamers accounts for about 19 percent of all computer and console gamers. St. Hilaire is, on the internet, Old Grandma Hard Core (previously mentioned on Slashdot). The OGHC blog has gotten a ton of traffic in recent weeks, has been featured on Web sites around the world, and has been hired as a 'senior reporter' for MTV.com to talk about games." From the article: "There is an AARP generation of gamers, a group that logs on to Gamegeezers.com and would qualify for a senior citizen discount if game stores offered them. ... They play a variety of games -- from laid-back, relaxing fare such as solitaire and mah-jongg, to first-person shooters (military-themed titles are hits)."

11 comments

  1. misleading summary / article/ handle by Red+Flayer · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Old Grandma Hard Core?"

    FTA: "I'm on Chapter 8 and there are -- let me check -- 12 chapters. It's a tough game. It was two in the morning so I said the heck with it and I shut it off and I went to bed," St. Hilaire says" (emphasis mine)

    Hah. 2 AM? Wat a n00b. My grandma racks up frags at 4 AM with 1337 skilz, yo -- that's hard core.

    /I loves my grandma, and her cookies.

    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  2. In Other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Killing rampage in a housing complex for seniors: video games blamed... news at 11.

  3. Introductions by hobotron · · Score: 3, Funny


    AARP, meet LARP. You two have fun now.

    --
    There is truth in humor.
  4. In South Korea, by jonoid · · Score: 1

    ...only old people play video games.

  5. So... by JoeD · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does this mean we can expect "Grand Theft Auto: Get Off My Lawn" to be out soon?

    1. Re:So... by Fate02 · · Score: 1

      The real question is how fast do they drive their cars in GTA.

    2. Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I know you were joking but its that kinda reaction they are trying to get away from, I play wow and several of the guild members are over 50, and they're a lot better than the 14 year olds who play. If anything now that I am in my 20s I have more in common with the over 50s then I do the teenagers who have no concept of working, paying rent and the general day to day stuff that adults have to do. I'd just as rather talk about people looking for a house or the news than I would have a conversation about 'omg xbox 360 out supar awesom omgomgomg!!111!'. Thats not to say that the reverse isn't true, and there are mature teenagers out there but they tend to be the minority.

  6. Grandma's Playing Games by hzs202 · · Score: 1

    I think Old Grandma Hardcore is the coolest thing. Sh** my gradma's dead... I wish she were alive and able to play games... thats HOT!