Hello,
I would like to recommend to you an article about designing games for seniors. I think the idea of creating video games dedicated to a special group of people is really interesting and modern gaming market suffers from lack of such solutions, but I am not sure that elderly people are interested in this kind of entertainment.
What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
Link to the article: https://lirias.kuleuven.be/bitstream/123456789/395445/1/VandenAbeele%20and%20Van%20Rompaey%20-%20Introducing%20human-centered%20design.pdf.
Creating computer games is not a bad thing as such. The main issue is who and when plays them. We all know that games, mainly computer ones but also those available for mobiles are "thieves of time". Regardless of age, we can fall into the habit of playing non-stop and it is not good for both the addicted person as well as his/her family. Older people in my opinion need attention of their family and friends, and the feeling that above all despite their old age, they are not a burden to anyone. Offering games elder people may to some extent be a good solution for their entertainment, but it will not replace a real contact with another person.
ReplyDeleteI do not know the games market that well; generally I'm opponent of playing computer games. The time spent on the playing game can be used in much better way. Also, I think that games like any other products should be adjusted to the needs of particular groups and not just follow the popular trends.
Hi Kinga!
DeleteThank you for your answer. I totally agree with you that computer reality should not replace interactions with real people and when used uncontrollably can lead to addiction. However, moderate amount of time spend on playing computer games can bring (depends on a game of course) advantages, like better reflex or strategical way of thinking.
Nowadays when everything is changing very quickly – not only technology itself but, for example, life expectancy we need new solutions in each new situations. People in western countries (mostly) live longer than before. These people generally have good pensions, a lot of free time and they are acquainted with new technology. Earlier elderly people used to meet each other and talk, watch TV, read books or baby-sit. Today elderly people would like to have more and more new entertainments because they still want be a part of modern world. These people all their life used technology and during their retirement they still would like to use it. Therefore I reckon for example a games market for elderly people should be developed rapidly in the next few years. I think this is great news for me, for example, because I am forty-year-old man who loves games and in the future during my retirement I will have free time for games. Computer or video games is not only fantastic entertainment. I have read about some kind of video games for elderly people which improve their fitness or mind skills. For example sports games or mathematic games. I think products (not only games) for elderly people are most important on a new development path.
ReplyDeleteThank for your opinion. I agree that nowadays the market of the computer games is not adressed to seniors at all, and as you noticed such games will be especially appreciated, by the elderly people who had a lot in common with technology in their lives (so it seems that by us).
DeleteEmilia, interesting questions. I have similar concerns that this type of entertainment for the elderly can be a tool that can help to isolate themselves from society. Although everything depends on the chosen game probably. I am convinced that interest in this type of entertainment will grow. I think that in the near future will reach for this type of entertainment more and more people familiar with computers. I agree that games for older people can be good entertainment, but shouldn't replace contact in real with another person.
ReplyDeleteHi Przemysław! I totally agree with you. :)
DeleteWhat do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteWhy not, but I'm afraid seniors in Poland won't play them. Moreover, we should divide markets, probably only seniors from rich countries will be interested and people from countries like Poland won't be.
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
They are isolated now and they won't be isolated even more with games. A lot of seniors are forgotten and feel alone, maybe with good multiplayer games they can connect with other seniors somehow.
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
They do already, but they are designing games for small kids or for kids 12+. From what I know, we don't have games for old people. They can play chess, mahjong or something like that. Anyway:
http://images-cdn.9gag.com/photo/a4LzrPd_700b.jpg
Hi Mateusz!
DeleteCool picture ;)
You are right that seniors in Poland may not be that interested in technology than elderly people from richer countries, but in my opinion it will change. The generation of our parents, who will be seniors in a while are much into a technology.
ReplyDeleteHi,
I think that elderly people should keep their brains stimulated to prevent many brain related diseases so common in elderly life. Games could be stimulating, for example puzzle or strategic games. The main problem is that often people are afraid of computers or mobile devices and don't know how to use them.
In my opinion designing a game in general, not only for elderly people, requires some kind of user tests and feedback. Besides I think that you cannot generalize and design games for specific age, because probably some people over 60 or 70 prefer shoot Nazis in "Call of Duty" and some would rather play patience or Sudoku.
Of course computer games can be addictive and there is a risk of isolation of people playing games, but it all depends on people. Reading books can be isolating as well.
I agree, that seniors may like to play 'Call of Duty', but sometimes the age brings some limitations, as decreased vision or hearing which might hinder in playing.
DeleteThe proper design of a game will decrease the influence of such obstacles.
1. What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteI believe that aiming particular age group may result in the better alignment of the gameplay with this group cognitive abilities and background.
Moreover, I personally want to use similar research to build gamification system for indexing genealogical data, aiming at exactly elder people. Game-like applications or even the computer games themselves might be incredibly useful - we can actually use them to aid our research. Done right they could be both entertaining and valuable.
2. Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
I think it might be very rewarding. And who said it would isolate anyone? Multiplayer games, such as for instance Scrabble played online could actually strengthen social networks. And it might result in meeting people sharing your interests. It just depends how the game is designed.
On the other hand, it might be the sad truth that many if not the most elder people are lonely. After all, once you grow older it is the result of sheer probability theory that your friends will die, and your children will be too busy living to spend enough time with you.
3. Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
To be honest, these guys are way too often after the biggest gains. They will aim mass market and that usually means relatively young people. It would be great if they could think of about of niche markets, but I am afraid that cost of making game is prohibitively large.
Yes, I have also noticed that the gaming market is in the most part addressed to young people (or at least to the people without any special requirements connected with e.g. vision, hearing etc.).
DeleteYou have very interesting topic of your research. I am curious how the solution and the results will look like.
What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteI think it is good :) I know some elderly people who want play a game .
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
In my opinion it is relax for elder people or learning some new things. For example I learned my grandparents to use mobile phone and now their can be call to me when their need. (from some shop or something like this)
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
Yes , I feel this:) In world we have a lot of group of people who want play a game!
Hi! Thank you for sharing your opinion.
DeleteFor sure, sometimes elderly people just need a little help to start use mobile phone or computer. It was the same with my grandma :)
It is important for older people to continue to regularly practice intellectual activities to keep their minds alert and maintain social ties. This can be done in several ways, either through meetings or by reading the board games. However, a person of 85 years does not necessarily play the same way a child or an adult. There is a little over five years, the company Past - Simple therefore decided to embark on the creation and marketing of games suitable for the elderly.The professionals involved in their specialty. They are occupational therapists, psychomotor therapists, entertainers, psychologists, neuropsychologists, speech therapists, geriatricians, etc. These steps are valuable because unlike younger audience for which the games are classified by age, the old public needs a range of far greater opportunities to satisfy the keenest and not leave for the account impaired people.
ReplyDeleteHi!
DeleteThank you for your answer and the information about Past - Simple company :)
Do you know maybe something about the results of their work? Or can you recommend any article about it?
Hello Emilia,
ReplyDeletethanks for the questions and you can find my answers below
What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
I should say business is business :) but in my opinion percentage of people excluded from computer society decreases every day. Online games are good example becouse you can meet there people in varied age. It is very important to aim to a group customers who may use your product. Human behaviours and interests are quite fluid. It is very surprisingly whom you can meet in game store :).
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
Question is as I wrote - can you aim into seniors interests. If your game will be good enought - you can encourage young people to participate in your game :) i.e. 70's architecture/music would be memories for older people, but good history lesson for younger ones.
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
I think they do that, but the most important indicator for those companies has to be profit (because their costs are quite hight too)
Hi Pawel!
DeleteThank you for your answers. It would be great if elderly people could share their interests with younger, if it is gaming or not. I am afraid that nowadays it does not happen so often.
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ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for the article recommendation. I think there is a market for computer games for any age. However most elderly don't play games to get entertained (like with a movie) but rather to pass time, that's why most of them play games like freecell, sudoku or some simple indie-like/browser games. These games are single player and therefore alienate seniors rather than supporting integration with other people. However board alternatives to these games (i.e. card games) are a good game to integrate with other people and sometimes also a pretext to meet. At this moment even multiplayer games don't really encourage healthy contact with other people. It is the same case as with any on-line community in a sense that you can talk, discuss, engage online actions together however you are missing the real contact and all the aspects that it brings. Before the time virtual reality is indistinguishable from common reality I guess it is better to engage them into physical activities rather than games.
ReplyDeleteHi!
DeleteThank you for sharing your opinion.
I agree that online communication is not the same as the real one and it cannot replace live contact with other people, but sometimes it is better than nothing ;)
What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteI think this is really great idea to doing such games. People who are around age of 60 can deal with new technologies very well. People 60+ is a group who counts about 20% of the population and I think the current market of apps and games forgets about their needs.
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
I think the thing which isolates them the most is lack of interest in modern technologies. I don't know if the games are the best example but if we take apps like skype or whatsup or application which provide news we can observe that elder peaple can achieve some basic skills using modern devices, and getting some joy using them.
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
Ofcourse, Like i said at the beginning elderly people are 20% of our popluation, and somehow the market forgot about them
I hope that this niche in the market will be disappearing :)
DeleteThe idea of creating computer games for elderly people is really nice. Simplifying, it means that I will have something to play after getting old. It's difficult to say what technology will exists in such time, maybe the the virtual reality will be so advanced that our "playing games" became something with completely different meaning?
ReplyDeletePlaying games can help those people getting used to current, developed and technology-dependent world. Gaming market is (and will be) focused on customers which generate profits. This means that elderly people (according to previous comment 20% of our population) should already be in the group of interest.
Or maybe will be soon.
DeleteThank you for your comment :)
This time I won’t refer to the attached article because it seems to be broken. For games I think there is no upper limit in age restriction. There is so many gernes that everybody can find something for themselves. I suspecting that you are thinking in games specialized to elder people who suffers from different diseases like dementia or strokes. Perhaps in future we are going to develop this kinds of games. Until now we must try make play in existing thousands titles that are our gamers legacy till now.
ReplyDeleteHmm.. The link works for me. Maybe try to load it again?
Deletehttps://lirias.kuleuven.be/bitstream/123456789/395445/1/VandenAbeele%20and%20Van%20Rompaey%20-%20Introducing%20human-centered%20design.pdf
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ReplyDeleteI think that any initiative for the elderly is good. This allows encourage these people. Of course, this game should be adjusted, I can not imagine the same as for younger ones. games should connect people and activate not isolated. The market will pay attention to this social group because our society as aging.
ReplyDeleteWow this is a cool topic. I actually think that creating games for elderly people is a great idea. As Mikołaj pointed out it's really important for elderly people to keep their brains stimulated. I feel that games tailored to older audience would be a great way to do this. I actually remember that couple of years ago I saw Nintendo DS commercial, starring Patrick Stewart, which was advertising puzzle games for seniors.
ReplyDeleteWith all the modern frameworks and technologies it's much easier to build casual cross platform games. I think that gaming market should actually start addressing specific consumer groups. Actually games for elderly people is a really cool business idea!
1. What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteI think that it is still a good idea to try new ways of entertainment.
If there are games for kids why there cannot be some for eldery people?
It can be a good way to enhance brain activity and fight some diseases.
2. Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe
it will isolate them even more from other people?
It is hard to say. If there is no opportunity of going out and meeting people why should they stay all days alone and have no entertainment.
Maybe there are some apps which will enable them communication with others (family, children other eldery people).
3. Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention
for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
I think that if there is more attention paid for specific needs of different groups of people there is a possibility of gaining popularity and earning more money.
I think that the games dedicated a good solution that can spin a better market. Games dedicated to seniors is an interesting idea, but I do not know if right now. Maybe in a few years. This social group will grow, but mentally not ready yet. At least in Poland. People think concretely because conditions are not satisfactory. I think about medicine, food costs, pensions, etc ...
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteI think that elderly people deserve some fun ;-) It totally makes sense to create computer games designed for them.
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
It depends. Online games can help them to socialize.
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
It is obvious to me that it is crucial to understand specific users' needs and fulfill their expectations. That also should concern elderly people.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWhat do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDelete> They need more human touch. Why computer games? Lets give them more opportunities to socialize instead?
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
> I believe, that would be isolating them more
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
> As long as there is a profit in it, I'm sure they will
1. What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
ReplyDeleteIt is a great idea.
2. Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
It depends on a person. As said in the article “connecting people” is an important ingredient of an innovative gameplay for senior citizens. So a game might be a reason for elderly people to meet.
3. Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
It would be good to have games for different groups indeed. A proper marketing would play a crucial role in spreading the idea of games among senior citizens, which would higher the costs of such games. This leads me to the question if gaming market is ready to invest in this particular niche while a return might not be high.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
Elderly people are able to play a games using computer. After simple and quick training it is possible to them to have satisfaction during game. Getting involved in planing and projecting stage is great way to build good game.
Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
It depends, if people will play in co-operative games, they prop ably will fell less alone than people playing in single player mode.
Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
Absolutely yes, the more specific needs are identified the more fun people have.
I don't agree with Kinga about games and wasting time, if we think this way everything (movies, music, theatre) can be waste of time. The only thing is to know your limits and that's all. Also computer games are targeting not only for entertaiment, they are used in therapies and also to teach (ie. airplanes simulators).
ReplyDeleteBut let's get back to questions.
1. What do you think about creating computer games for elderly people?
That's great idea. Why only young people should have possibility to use today's ways in entertaining themselves.
I remember some Nintendo Wii commercials on which elder people were playing computer games. As far as I remember Japanese care homes were equipped with this consoles. There were many uses for this console and computer games for older people.
2. Can playing games be a rewarding pastime for seniors or maybe it will isolate them even more from other people?
If you know where is boundary between real world and virtual there is nothing to worry about. This concerns not only older people but also younger ones.
3. Do you feel that gaming market should pay more attention for the specific needs of different groups of peoples?
Yes with this statement I must agree. Most of today's computer games are made for particular market segment. I think that there will be bigger demand for this kind of entertainment because our society is getting older and many of us don't know how to live without computers so market will have to change his segment.