In the ever-evolving field of gaming that features cutting-edge technology and new gameplay mechanics, there is a group of gamers who are struggling to keep up.
Some games present challenges for older players. Speaking to AARP, an American non-profit organization that advocates for the interests and needs of people of retirement age, a 53-year-old gamer said, “I feel like we’re being left behind, not being considered” (via aarp.org).
Gamers over 50 in America make up a quarter of all video gamers. In Germany, almost a third of the players are over 50, as our colleagues from GameStar write.
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Too small font and controllers that are difficult to use
Instructor Celia Pearce teaches game design at Northeastern University in Boston and has spent years researching issues faced by older gamers.
What problems do older players have? One problem is controllers, some of which are difficult to use, especially for those with acute or permanent injuries or arthritis. Another problem is that the fonts in games are too small.
“I always tell my students please use bigger fonts, nobody over 30 can read a font size of 0.5,” according to Celia Pearce (via Marketplace). Pearce is part of the Games for Life research group and wants to bridge the gap between the gaming industry and the needs of older gamers.
The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) has shown in a research report that older gamers feel disadvantaged and rarely find games that are suitable for them (via PDF: AARP).
“Play is a healthy part of getting older”
What do older players want? According to the AARP, the tutorial is often a hurdle for many. The instructions should be made more understandable and easy to read. Many older gamers also play on mobile devices, while others tend to play on PC or consoles. There is a desire for more cross-platform games.
Maura White is the Director of Games and Its Community at AARP. She says meaningful play is a healthy part of getting older. Gaming can “relieve stress, challenge you mentally, connect you with others, and just be fun.” It’s also a way to engage more with technology (via blog.aarp.com).
Additionally, while older gamers want to stay mentally fit, they’re also looking for “ways to connect with other people through games,” says Kenny Rosenblatt (via Marketplace). Rosenblatt is the CEO of Arkadium, a casual game development studio.
What games do older players play? According to the lecturer, older gamers are not only interested in games for brain training, but above all in story games. The Arkadium company now wants to focus primarily on this group of players. According to Rosenblatt, most of their players are in their 60s and 70s, with some in their 80s.
Diablo 4 also fascinates older gamers, because the Diablo franchise has been a pillar of gaming since 1996 and one of the most well-known game series.
Fan searches for old gamers who play Diablo 4, gets hundreds of answers: “The body decays, but the mind stays sharp”