Why This Old Lady Plays Video Games

"People Do Not Stop Playing Because They Grow Old;

They Grow Old Because They Stop Playing"

                                                                                           Multiple attributions 

A web search will lead you to dozens of scholarly articles explaining why seniors can benefit from playing video games, but let me tell you why I play video games:

Understanding the younger generation: When my son was a pre-teen I bought him a computer because I felt that computers would be important for his future. When he started playing video games I started playing, too, in order to have something to talk to him about. Now that I am much older I think that playing video games has helped me have something in common with millions of other gamers of all ages. As for the younger generation, I don't think they will be asking me to join their games, but at least I have some idea of what they are doing.

Meeting people from around the world: In multiplayer worlds  I have met and interacted with people from foreign places like the Netherlands, Ukraine, and New York. 

Escaping the Current Reality: When the real world has seemed to be going to hell in a small portable container with a handle, I have found retreating to a 'cozy' game to be very calming.

Active Participation in Entertainment:  While watching tv or movies is a passive pastime, playing video games requires you to actively participate.  Many games allow you to control the narrative somewhat, so the outcome is up to you.

Releasing Anger: When I get angry, it relieves me to blow off steam by fighting monsters or aliens, while humming "You've got to kill a zombie or two" to the tune of "You've got to pick a pocket or two."*

Improving Memory, Stimulating my Brain, and Improving Hand/Eye Coordination: 

'Use it or lose it'. (Any improvement is welcome).

Exercise: When we were in Covid lock-down and the gym was closed, I exercised with video games like "Walk it Out","Wii Sports", and Abba 'Just Dance', and still do sometimes.

Pretending to Be Someone Else: I have enjoyed 'just pretend'. It is not just for children.  According to web sources 

"Playing games by pretending to be someone else (role-playing) offers significant cognitive, social, emotional, and personal growth benefits. It provides a safe, low-pressure environment for exploring new perspectives and practicing real-world skills."

(So, when I'm playing in a multiplayer virtual world, wearing a glamorous avatar and 'living' in a mansion with a yacht docked next door, I'm learning to understand and empathize with beautiful rich people.)

Problem Solving Practice: Sometimes the problem is as simple as "How the heck do these controls work?" Other times it is "How do I rescue the Princess from the Dragon?"

Building Confidence: Games that give positive feedback can improve your self confidence. Nothing better than hearing "Thank you, you have saved (insert place name here) from (Insert name of monster or evil force here)". Some games, like Animal Crossing, may go a little overboard but positive reinforcement of any kind is nice.

Express Creativity: In a sandbox game like Minecraft I can build large structures and complex mechanical systems without having to buy a lot of bricks or batteries. 

Control a World: Maybe not the real world, but I can change virtual worlds.

Travel and Exploration with Leaving Home: I have been lucky enough in my life to have done some travel, but a series of unfortunate events have made it so that I can only take short day trips now. With video games, though, I can explore large pre-made worlds like Stardew Valley or endlessly algorithmically generated Minecraft worlds.

If this sounds a bit too gung ho, the next blog entry will be on the downside of playing video games.

*Fagin in the musical "Oliver".