Gaming Habits of People Over 50 Revealed by AARP Survey

The AARP has released its latest survey results, shedding light on the growing trend of gaming among people approaching retirement age. Conducted in June and July, the survey of nearly 7,800 individuals found that 45% of those aged 50 and above engage in gaming at least once a month, marking a slight increase from the 44% reported in 2019 and a more significant rise from the 38% recorded in 2016. Notably, the average time spent gaming by this demographic has increased to 12 hours per week, up from 8.5 hours in 2019. Mobile platforms are the preferred choice for older gamers, with 84% playing on mobile devices, compared to 28% on consoles and 21% on smart home technology. While more gamers in this age group are spending money on games, the average amount spent has decreased to $49 from $64 in 2019. Puzzle, logic, card, and word games are the most popular genres among this age group, with word games experiencing a surge in popularity, which the AARP attributes to the 'Wordle Effect.' The survey also explored the reasons behind gaming among this demographic, with fun, relaxation, and mental sharpness being the top motivations. However, the survey also highlighted aspects of gaming that decrease enjoyment, including ads, in-app purchases, and notifications. Interestingly, 69% of gamers over 50 believe that video games are not designed with their age group in mind.