Next time you schedule a video game night, you better invite Grandma and Grandpa. According to new research by AARP, older adults (50+) is a quickly growing segment of the video gamer population. The report “Gaming Attitudes and Habits of Adults Age 50-Plus” finds that over the past three years the number older gamers increased from 40.2 million to 50.6 million.
Older gamers are spending way more on video games than three years ago. In 2016, this demographic spent just $523 million on video games, but in 2019 the figure jumps to $3.5 billion. The devices they’re using are changing too. In 2016, they primarily used desktop/laptop computers (59% vs. 47% mobile) to play games. That flips to 73% mobile and 47% computer in 2019.
“Gaming has gone mainstream, with older adults spending more time each month playing video games on a variety of devices, including mobile devices,” said Alison Bryant, AARP’s Senior Vice President of Research. “With increased access and use, older adults tell us they are using gaming to connect socially, stay mentally sharp, reduce stress and have fun.”
In 2019, older gamers played video games an average of five hours a week. Of those gamers, 49% were women compared to 40% being men. (I wonder what the sex/gender was of the other 11%.) Whatever their sex/gender, 57% of older gamers say that one of the reasons they play is to reduce stress, with 76% playing games for fun.
Older gamers are spending more on content—increasing 21% since 2016—and less on hardware. In 2019, video game spending by this group breaks down as 51% content, 38% hardware, and 11% accessories.
The mid-30s crowd remains the largest video gaming block, but the number of gamers age 50+ is likely to continue to grow as individuals who’ve been playing since childhood get older. (I know I’ll be playing video games in the retirement home.)
Anyway, the report is interesting if you have time (and enjoy statistical research).
So go ahead and tell Gram-Gram to bring her Xbox Elite controller next time she visits or add her as a friend on Fortnite. Who knows, she might kick your ass.
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