Games for Adults & Older Adults

[Allan]

Hi--

I think that many of you already know that we are focusing our gaming
efforts not only with teens and children but also older adults, too!

If you do any Internet research on the Wii and Older Adults you get
numerous hits (including us). But when you read the articles everyone
seems to be using some version of Wii & sports games and/or Brain Age
Academy with their seniors.

Can any one make any suggestions for suitable games for this "age"
group, besides sports?

We are developing several collections: a circulating collection for
the public; in-house games for children & teens; and in-house games
for "baby boomers" & older adults.

Yes, we've started gaming with older adults--we can't leave out the
baby boomers, could we?

Thanks,
--Allan
+++++++++++++++++
Assistant Library Director
Old Bridge (NJ) Public Library
akle...@oldbridgelibrary.org
732-721-5600, ext. 5042
seniorspaces.blogspot.com

[John Scalzo]

Personally, I think you're looking at this slightly backwards. Like movies, games are really only broken up into two "age" categories, mostly for kids and mostly for everyone else.

 

Wii Sports and Brain Age appeal to people who don't play a lot of games (i.e. older people) because they're easy to pick up. Especially Wii Sports, which uses the real world motions to good effect.

 

When older gamers are ready to move beyond that, then they become just like any other gamer. Age has little to do with it.

 

Find out what book and movies they like. If they like crime movies, steer them towards any games that have to do with "cops and robbers." They like the Clancy spy stuff, steer them towards the Clancy game stuff. Steer science fiction fans towards any number of games that have human versus alien plots. Brain Age fans might like any number of puzzle games.

 

Maybe I'm on the wrong track, but it's how I've always looked at it.

 

John

http://www.videogamelibrarian.com
 

[Gordon Gavin]

Agreed.  Gamers will discover their own preferences once they're hooked.

 

Puzzle games and other casual games tend to be popular with adults that aren't traditionally gamers.  They require a small time commitment and offer tremendous replay value.  Two big features to consider when aiming for adults.  You mentioned Wii Sports and Brain Age - both of which can be picked up and played and set down in only a few minutes, and both can be played multiple times while offering the same level of enjoyment, hence the success among adults.

 

 

Gordon Gavin
Library Assistant
Youth/Teen Services
Northern Lights Branch
gga...@columbuslibrary.org
(614) 479-3247

>>> "John Scalzo" <videogame...@gmail.com> 4/13/2008 1:07 PM >>>

[Spud]

Well, I am on the older end of the age scale and I like to play city
building games and simulations. My favorites are Caesar III, Pharaoh,
Zeus and Rise of the Middle Kingdom by Impression Games. I also have
enjoyed Myst, Riven and Exile which are puzzle games. But recently I
have gotten totally engrossed by World of Warcraft. I have a 93 year
old friend who enjoys playing solitaire and One World Project's Free
Rice Game.

> aklei...@oldbridgelibrary.org
> 732-721-5600, ext. 5042
> seniorspaces.blogspot.com

[mindgammon]

Do you really think the elder crowd will play video games? I am
certain there are plenty out there, but as a whole I doubt it.
I live in Florida (That gives me major experience with older folks),
and am also a game designer.
I think gaming comes from the way you were raised, and in what era you
where raised in.
My opinion is, the masses (older folks) would prefer board,card and
dice games. All are a fine staple of great entertainment.
And the subject is gaining traction from the recent studies that show
mental stimulation can offset the onset on mental disease (Alzheimer's
and dementia). So Doctors are encouraging ANY game play.
I do see and appreciate Mr Scalzo's point, you crawl before you walk
with video games. You rarely see someone starting out playing Halo.
But as far as people at or above 60 you need to start them off with
games they are familiar with. Especially in the Library, right??
Let me know what works out for you.
Best regards,
Christian

[Allan]

Hi--

Thanks for your comments and suggestions on older adults and gaming.

Several thoughts--firstly, in my opinion it is important for libraries
to be places where we showcase and "instruct" new technology,
especially for older adults. Otherwise this entire generation will
continue to feel left out and behind in technology. Thus our Wii
programs, hands-on digital camera classes, and future Second Life
visits.

But if we are to sustain the gaming experience beyond once or twice
(for those who are interested) then we need to find Wii games that
will make older adults want to come back again and again. The same way
the Teens are hooked. I think that we are just about at that point at
the Old Bridge Public Library.

If you read more and more about Nintendo and Wii you see that older
adults are a market segment for the games--but when you do more and
more research all you see being used is Wii Sports and Brain Age
Academy. I think that Nintendo is missing the boat at this point.
What can be developed to attract a non-gamer older adult to be a gamer
in the Wii world?

We are planning weekly Wii events for our older adults during the
summer that will be once again paired with Teen volunteers. Since
there will be a weekly event we are going to try to move beyond the
Wii sports and see where that takes us. I thank you all for some
other game suggestions.

I should also report that we have several older adults who have been
gaming with us that are visually impaired. Projecting the Wii on a
large screen has allowed these older adults to be able to see the
bowling or tennis or golf and fully participate. One of our members
of our Senior Spaces Advisory Board (also visually impaired) was given
a DS by her son for Christmas. By using Teen volunteers and Library
staffers we have assisted her to the point that she is doing gaming on
her own at home.

So, there we stand at the moment. Our older adults will be
celebrating Gaming @ Your Library day this Friday and we expect
everyone to have a great time.

Thanks to everyone who responded for their advice and suggestions.
--Allan
++++++++++++++
Allan M. Kleiman

Assistant Library Director
Old Bridge (NJ) Public Library

732-721-5600, ext. 5042
akle...@oldbridgelibrary.org

[Diane Kurtz]

At this point we are doing gaming focusing on tweens and teens at the branch. However, speaking from personal experience, I think many of the baby boomer generation is ready for gaming. My husband is retired (early 60s) and we recently bought a Wii. He was very skeptical until he tried it. He is golfing, bowling, etc. during the day while I am at work and challenging me to bowling games when I get home. He's challenged our sons, son-in-law, daughter and our granchildren (preschool age). Our sons and son-in-law are gamers and they are encouraging him to look into their games. Many of our friends whose grandchildren have video game consoles are also hooked.

 

I really want to start intergenerational gaming at the library. Since we are an open space and gaming occurs during school vacation time (this week), we have a lot of adults who stop and watch. Many have joined in but "hate to interrupt the kids." Has anyone done any intergenerational gaming?

 

At the present time, our library system is in dire straits with the upcoming budget, possibly laying off 1/3 of our staff. Since our director has stated that these layoffs will come from the professional staff, I won't be here to further gaming if it comes to pass. Maybe in another library someday or as a volunteer in my hometown library.

 

Diane

 

Diane Kurtz

Old Mill Green Branch

Bridgeport, CT

 

[Beth Gallaway]

According to the ESA, 24% of people over 50 play games. :) In one library in NY, they have a senior Wii Bowling league - they are mentored by teens, creating a great intergenerational program.

I do think transitioning to electronic versions of games they know and love is helpful; a game like Big Brain Academy may also be a good gateway game, and have some mental health benefit as well.


Beth

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[Liz Danforth]

When I heard Michael Stephens talk a year ago, three words (among many
that enthralled me) captured my imagination in regards to gaming:
"Boomer DDR Night."

I am undertaking some programming in my new job position, at a branch
that traditionally has had little programming of any kind, and I am
starting gaming for the teens. But on my short horizon is a will to
put together a Boomer DDR Night down the line -- and Wii for adults if
it becomes available, as I hope.

Talking with branches already deeply involved in gaming, I heard that
some parents are rockin' in on Guitar Hero with their younger teens.
Originally they came just to watch and find out about what their
children were doing, but evidently the game nights took on an
intergenerational aspect spontaneously. The teens appear to feel this
is just fine, contrary to the strict for-teens-only assumptions I hear
about such programming. Right now the teens come first in this very-
needy branch, but intergenerational is on the agenda.

Liz Danforth
Columbus Branch Library
Pima County Public Library
Tucson, Arizona



On Apr 18, 8:56 am, "Beth Gallaway" <informationgoddes...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> informationgoddes...@gmail.com