Slashdot Mirror
Video Games Conquer The Elderly
bedake writes "The New York Times has up an article discussing the increase in retired people getting interested in online computer games. 'PopCap Games in Seattle, the maker of the diversions so popular at St. Mary, says its games have been downloaded more than 200 million times since the company was founded in 2000. A spokesman said that the company was stunned by results of a customer survey last year: 71 percent of its players were older than 40, 47 percent were older than 50, and 76 percent of PopCap players were women.' The piece goes on to discuss the popularity of the Wii console, as well, a subject discussed on Slashdot before."
Hopefully, we'll stop having to hear these assholes talk about how the Wii is "kiddy". People will come to their senses and realize that by "kiddy" they simply mean, "not between the ages of 12 and 18", which makes the other consoles look a mite immature by comparison.
Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
It's not really surprising that the older generations are getting into online games. With the trend of computers and technology being an integral part of almost all aspects of society, it's only natural that everyone eventually gets involved. The stereotype of old people viewing modern technology as "evil" or "weird" is left to the fading past.
It's also interesting to see the outlet for older people to conversers and interact with a larger, and broader group of people. Not saying that the elderly don't get out, but games and online experience do allow them to "get out" on a larger scale.
"I only know 2 things: The love for me, and the fear of me."
Nintendo has been bragging like hell about their "touch generations" stuff like Brain Age. The Wii, too. It does have some success, but real games for granddad are yet to come. Besides, Brain Age and Wii Sports compliment old people by giving them a lower age!