Background information
What we’re looking forward to in 2025
by Jan Johannsen
Gaming crash course for senior citizens: "I had no idea such games existed"
28.12.2018
Translation: machine translated
Games are only for kids? Not at all. We organised a gaming afternoon for senior citizens and introduced them to the fascinating world of games: sometimes with more, sometimes with less success.
"I'd rather go to the cinema for that kind of money." The screening of the indie game "Stanley Parable" may have dispelled Ursula's preconceptions that all games involve shooting, but she remains sceptical. Accompanied by her grandson, the 83-year-old came to eStudios in Zurich, where we are organising a gaming afternoon just for senior citizens. Twelve gaming PCs, a Super Nintendo Classic and an Xbox One are ready to introduce the ladies and gentlemen to the world of gaming.
A colourful bouquet of participants
A whole afternoon of gaming. That sounds like a great way to pass the time. For Ursula, however, it's the first time in her life that she's had a taste of gaming. During these four hours, she wants to finally understand why this medium is so appealing to young people. "It will also give me a chance to discuss an exciting new topic at Christmas dinner," adds Ursula.
Roger (67) and Johann (70) are also taking part. They have already gained some experience with games. "I used to play flight simulators. But that was ages ago. Nowadays, I only come into contact with games through my son at most." It's a similar story for Johann. Although he recently bought a PS4 Pro with "Fifa 19" and "Gran Turismo", he still can't quite figure it out.
The last of the bunch is Monika, who was unaware of her good fortune compared to the other participants. "Kevin asked me if I had any plans for Thursday and I recklessly said no," says the 64-year-old with a laugh. Kevin is the name of her son, who is responsible for the surprise. He wants to get the former "Tetris" player interested in the forgotten hobby again. "When my brother and I got the Gameboy as a present, she used it for hours on end to play 'Tetris'," says the son, who now has a daughter himself. Monika has successfully suppressed the idea that she stole the Gameboy from her children. However, she has always shown an interest in her sons' hobby - even if she rarely picked up the controller herself. That is set to change today.
She: "Who won?" He: "You" She: "Ahhhh"
We start with a round of "Rocket League". As there are only two controllers available, the rest have to make do with keyboard and mouse. According to Tobias Egartner from eStudios, who is also on hand to help, apparently half of the pros play this way. All crazy, if you ask me, but nobody does that. So I explain to the participants how they have to steer their colourful vehicles in order to slam the ball into the opponent's goal. Apart from my son and grandson, who have also grabbed a free seat, nobody really understands the controls, but they like the game principle.
As expected, WASD presents the biggest challenge. The next title is unlikely to change this: "Counter-Strike GO". Monika, who as a left-hander faces yet another obstacle, takes her first tentative steps. As we don't want to completely change the key assignment, using the keyboard with the right hand is rather suboptimal. It becomes particularly difficult when you want to jump over a wall and have to press the space bar with the heel of your hand. Somehow, however, it is her team that wins in the end. Much to her astonishment: "Who won?". "You," explains her son. "Ahhh."
Roger and Johann, meanwhile, have started a bot match on their own. But armed only with a pistol, they don't cut the best figure either. When I show Roger how he can buy an AK-47, a grin appears on his face and he happily fires a few shots into the air. He doesn't hit any better with it, but he seems to enjoy the experience.
Ursula has left the seat to Gian. She doesn't particularly enjoy shooting games and she's more of a spectator anyway. "It makes me nervous when I have to play in a team. I'd rather play something for myself," says Ursula. Gian listens up: "Grandma, now I know who gave me that. I don't like multiplayer games either. They just stress me out." Our games afternoon is not only informative, but also therapeutic.
On the opposite side, Johann has started "Overwatch". However, the 29 available game characters are a bit too much of a good thing. "Counter-Strike GO" was a little bit easier. There are only two teams. So I decide in his favour and choose the muscular Reinhardt. After I've explained the most important things to Johann, he stomps off. However, one afternoon is definitely too short to really familiarise yourself with the mouse and keyboard. That's why it's mostly a coincidence when an opponent is beaten to death by Reinhardt's hammer. As it's a bot match, the computer primarily plays among itself.
"I didn't even realise there were games like this"
Over the course of the afternoon, the participants gradually disperse to the various stations. Gian shows his grandmother one of his favourite games on the Xbox One: "Assassin's Creed Odyssey". It doesn't take long for a small group to gather around the TV. "I never thought games would look so realistic. I've never seen anything like it," marvels Monika. Johann, who now has the controller in his hand, makes short work of two bandits. During the bloody finishing move, I fear for a moment that someone will grimace, but instead Johann and Monika laugh out loud at the grotesque scene.
To show how diverse games can be, I'm launching "Firewatch". In it, you play a firewatcher who acts as a lookout in a national park. "Firewatch" consists largely of dialogue and exploring the beautifully designed wilderness. "I didn't realise there were games like this," says Ursula. She also likes the aforementioned "Stanley Parable". Here you slip into the role of Stanley, who explores an abandoned office building accompanied by a wise-cracking narrative voice. The humour of the game is well received. But Ursula still wouldn't spend money on it.
Crazy dance moves and money for skins
At the end, I start "Fortnite". Everyone has heard of the battle royale sensation and everyone wants to know what it's all about. The brightly coloured design and crazy skins make everyone smile. The jump from the flying blue school bus hanging from a hot-air balloon is met with big eyes. The game principle seems to appeal to Monika in particular. When I smash everything to bits with the pickaxe to get resources, she claps her hands in delight: "That's marvellous. I'd love that too. It's the perfect way to let out your aggression." I've never thought of it like that before, but to each their own.
The information that you can buy cosmetic items in the game for real money, on the other hand, causes a frown. "How? People really pay several hundred francs for a virtual item of clothing?" Monika can only marvel. Unfortunately, there isn't enough time to go into the subject in depth. But even without discussing game financing and the problems behind it, the gaming seniors have enough to deal with.
Every beginning is hard, but it's worth it
The afternoon seems to have been worthwhile: "It was very interesting. I learnt about some new games that I want to try out," says Johann. But first he wants to play "Fifa 19" and "Gran Tursimo", which are waiting for him at home. "Understanding all the tools and learning the coordination between my left and right hand is more difficult than I thought," says Roger, who has travelled all the way from Worb in the canton of Bern. Monika, who ended up playing a party of "Tetris Ultimate" with her son, also seems to have rekindled her interest in games. However, she will probably not become a full-time gamer: "I don't have time. But I would already have a computer. Who knows, maybe it will happen after all."
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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