Gaming isn’t just for kids anymore. A new research study confirms a large number of American adults like to get their recreational kicks through videogames.
A recent study conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows 53 percent of all American adults play videogames in some form or another. Surprisingly, about a third of adults age 65 and up that do play videogames say they play them every single day.
The gaming device of choice ranges widely between computers, consoles, mobile phones, and other gizmos, but research shows there is a divide among age groups. PCs are the favorite of choice for 73 percent of adult gamers, while 75 percent of younger adult players (ages 18-29) tend to gravitate towards consoles. The study shows younger adults are more likely to play games and generally tend to spend more time doing so. Still, mid-lifers and senior citizens are finding the time to plop down and power on on a regular basis.
Nintendo’s push in recent years to attract much older players into the gaming fold with brain training, exercise, and other casual games seems to be working, but those of us who recall the then-amazing technological prowess of the Atari 2600 with great fondness are now well along the path that eventually leads to wrinkles and crankiness. The videogame industry has grown in leaps and bounds since the late 70s and early 80s, due in-part to technological advances and an aging gamer population that still enjoys picking up a controller well past the adolescent and college years.
Though I still (hopefully) have much, much longer to go, it’s a safe bet I’ll be rocking the videogames when I’m old, waving a cane around, and cursing out the idiocy of kids these days.
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