Attention all whippersnappers and TikTok toddlers: the odds of getting absolutely annihilated in your favourite video game by someone old enough to remember dial up internet are now higher than ever. It turns out that a significant, and frankly, terrifyingly good, portion of US gamers are over 50.
According to a recent report by the Entertainment Software Association, more than a quarter of America’s 205 million gamers are in their golden years. That’s right. Almost half of all baby boomers are playing some kind of video game every single week. So, that random person on the other end of the headset who just called you a “n00b”? There’s a decent chance they’re also a proud grandparent.
TacticalGramma and the Rise of the Senior Gamer
This isn’t just about a gentle round of Candy Crush, either. While many older gamers stick to puzzle and word games on their phones, a bold and brilliant few have gone pro. Take TacticalGramma, for example. This 60 year old from Washington state is so good at Call of Duty that she has amassed over 2 million followers on TikTok. She streams her gameplay for hours, talks smack to her opponents, and says “bless your heart” while soaring over rooftops. It’s the kind of wholesome content we didn’t know we needed.
Similarly, we have GrndpaGaming, a 72-year-old US Navy veteran with 1.4 million YouTube subscribers who streams combat games like Battlefield 2042. He’s on a mission to prove that age isn’t a handicap, and you can keep up with technology no matter how many birthdays you’ve had.
It’s all very impressive, but not entirely surprising. Many older adults are finding that gaming keeps them mentally sharp, helps with social connections, and is just plain fun. Studies even suggest that certain games can help improve memory and cognitive processing.
But, of course, it’s not all fun and games. An AARP study revealed that seven out of ten gamers over 50 feel that games aren’t designed with them in mind. Issues like tiny fonts and awkward controller designs can be a real pain. It seems the gaming industry, a multi billion pound behemoth, has overlooked a key demographic. Maybe it’s time for them to invest in some larger fonts and more ergonomic controllers. After all, you don’t want to lose a quarter of your potential market just because they can’t read the instructions.
