Retirement Fun: Golfing, Pickleball and...Video Games?

I finally did it.

After years of receiving promotional membership offers, I have just joined AARP. After all, I am in my third week of retirement. For years I have been receiving AARP's invites, which always made me feel labeled as old. But now I embrace their mission. I hope to benefit from their discounts and support their efforts to preserve Social Security and Medicare.

This is because I proudly carry another label: Baby Boomer. My generation, born from 1946 to 1964, is not only increasing the ranks of retirees, but is also credited with transforming the stereotypes associated with people in the golden years. We are a fortunate generation that absorbed a wealth of information on physical and financial wellness and embraced it. Many Baby Boomers are reaping the rewards of more vibrant seniority, whether it's running marathons in our 60s and 70s or embarking on solo travels when the urge arises.

No surprise, then, that among the various activities retirees pursue, one that is increasingly popular is... gaming. Yes, the screen-centered activity you've observed in your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and younger colleagues is becoming more commonplace in my generation. For my part, I played PacMan once or twice a million years ago, and I thought that was the extent of it for me and many in my age group. Oh, so much I don't know!

As it is, gaming is a community, a culture, even a lifestyle, and it is enormous in terms of products, people, and financial impact. And it isn't only youngsters who are making this happen.

In 2024, there were 3.3 billion active gamers worldwide, according to prioritydata.com. The global gaming market was valued at $221 billion in 2024.

Which group of gamers is expanding the quickest? That's right, it's seniors. The segment of gamers aged 55 to 64 increased by 32% in 2021, as reported by market research firm GWI, which surveyed 19,000 individuals across 15 major markets. This growth was partly influenced by COVID, but the trend has persisted since.

Notice the increase in average player age, and in the proportion of players aged 50+

In fact, 45% of individuals aged 50 and older are gamers, according to a 2023 AARP research study. That's nearly one in every two people in this age group. So, friends, statistically some of you must be gamers, so come on, admit it! I want to see your comments. You'll be in good company. Respondents to the AARP survey reported that:

• Gaming is enjoyable and relaxing, and helps them remain mentally sharp and challenged.

• On average, they played 12 hours per week.

• Women tend to play more, with 52% playing daily compared to 37% of men.

And you thought pickleball was the only thing out there!

I got a glimpse of the gaming phenomenon through an SBDC client not long ago. The client, a European who is in his fifties, secured a special-talent U.S. visa due to his acknowledged expertise in gaming technology. His business involves developing a CRM software specifically for eSports, a rapidly growing sector within the gaming industry. His target audience includes anyone organizing or competing in eSports tournaments, such as the Silver Snipers, described in the excerpt below from a CNN story:

The Silver Snipers, a team of retirees who compete in video game tournaments, don jackets that read "We've got time to kill"

"The video game 'Counter-Strike' plays out on their monitors as they communicate over headsets, engaged in a fierce competition at Moscow’s IgroMir Expo, Russia’s largest computer and video game convention. But this is not your average group of gamers. The slogan on their black jackets reads 'We’ve got time to kill.' With an average age of 67, the Silver Snipers from Stockholm, Sweden, are the oldest esports team in the world."

Although not part of my lifestyle, I now have a genuine respect for gaming, and it isn't because of the surveys or the size of the market. It is because of one particular characteristic of gaming I hadn't recognized before.

What led me to see it was the novel I am reading, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, a New York Times bestseller by Gabrielle Zevin. Its plot immerses the reader in the personal drama of two video game developers, beginning in childhood, then college and through their young adult careers as game creators.

It's the first novel I've encountered that depicts the creative process behind video game development, especially in the realm of role-playing games or RPGs. This genre of video games features at least one main character, set in a fictional world, where the character or characters confront escalating challenges to accomplish a major objective. The player becomes the character, immersing themselves in the story, similar to how a reader becomes absorbed in a novel. I can appreciate that!

Novelist Richard Sparks, a 70-something, describes in article linked below how he began gaming in his 60s and how it has enriched his life and his writing: https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/510790/gaming-in-later-life/

So are video games the ultimate form of fiction? A friend of mine used to watch her favorite movie, Black Beauty, over and over. "It's like playing a favorite music record," she'd say. Indeed, we escape to novels, movies and music, because we like the stories they tell us, and we appreciate the craft of their production. Maybe video games are one more kind of story.

So in case you decide to explore their attraction, here is a list of top RPGs:

• Baldur's Gate 3: Highly regarded for its deep character customization, impactful choices, and engaging story.

• Skyrim: A vast open world with incredible replayability and freedom to play how you want.

• Mass Effect 2: Praised for its compelling narrative and strong character development.

• Dragon Age: Origins: A classic RPG with rich lore, tactical combat, and impactful decisions.

• Elden Ring: Challenging action RPG with a unique world created by George R.R. Martin.

• Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: A mature story with detailed characters and a large, immersive world.

• Fallout: New Vegas: A deep RPG with impactful choices and a well-developed post-apocalyptic world.

• Cyberpunk 2077: A futuristic open world with a focus on character customization and immersive city life.

• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: A beloved Star Wars RPG with a strong story and engaging characters.

• Disco Elysium: A narrative-driven RPG with deep character development and complex dialogue options.

For the time being, I'll stick with reading for the pleasure of escaping into a fictional world. But never say never. Storytelling, in a different package, might be worth a try.

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