16 responses to “Yesterday iPhone Moms, Today Gamers”

1. 

   Lyndsey S. August 24th, 2009 at 18:45

   Although I was not quite sure on the numbers, I knew from playing Halo on Xbox Live that many gamers are much older than myself (21 years old). Considering the immaturity most of the gamers on Xbox Live hold; however, does make me curious about this 25% of avid gamers over the age of 50. Most gamers speak to each other through a microphone and use a lot of profanity to the other players. I can’t imagine my grandparents getting online and talking like that to others. Completely blows my mind.

2. 

   Chris Miller August 24th, 2009 at 21:18

   I think that Adam has a viable idea here. I remember during freshman year when the Purdue University Gamers Group would take over the activity rooms in my dorm for LAN parties. Considering the room was full and those guys played for hours, there’s a large market here for something of this nature. I’m interested to hear him speak on Thursday.

3. 

   ablack August 25th, 2009 at 07:01

   Sad stuff. The general population is leaning towards obesity, too. However, how many normal, 17-25 year old gamers do you think willingly submit their info to the CDC for gamer research? Anyway, they’re all welcome as long as they don’t go nuts and shoot up the cafe. Perhaps I should rethink citronella candles to soothe the emo people.

4. 

   Jake Vanhooser August 25th, 2009 at 12:06

   I find these numbers a little off. Not so much that the majority are overweight and unhealthy, but that so many gamers are reported to be so old. I know very few people that are older than 25 that even play any kind of video game at all. But I guess if they are avid gamers than they are pretty antisocial so that makes sense

5. 

   Emily Wetterich August 25th, 2009 at 13:19

   I’m going to have to give my brother this information.
   Even though I’m not a gamer myself, I have a lot of friends that are. I think Adam’s idea is a pretty good one. I think it will work out pretty well at first even if it doesn’t last. The reason I think it will work and that it goes against the antisocial and depression grain is because it’s not about staying in your room and playing all night by yourself. It’s about hanging out with people who are interested in the same things you are and having a good time. If anything, it might help promote socializing and prevent depression.

6. 

   Karlis Jansons August 25th, 2009 at 14:20

   The age breakdown of gamers is hard for me to comprehend. From personal experience I’ve noticed that my friends and I play a lot less video games now then we did earlier. It is difficult to believe that gamers don’t grow out of this hobby to move on to something else in their lives. If these numbers truly represent the demographics of gamers I wonder how game manufacturing will change. It seems like there is a large untapped market in manufacturing games that the over 50 people would like. Obviously the 25% of gamers that are over 50 have been brought into the market but will companies start to focus more on the over 50 market as the age of gamers continues to rise?

7. 

   Josh Dennison August 25th, 2009 at 15:57

   i Know ive played less video games now that im in college than when i was in high school and this is mainly from a social perspective. In high school i would escape to video games and be alone but in college i have been using them as a purely social event. While ive noticed the over weight factor among my video game playing friends i cant say any of my friends are overly aggressive or depressed.
   Is the 25% of gamers being over 50 years old primarily due to the wii?

8. 

   Sanford C August 25th, 2009 at 16:03

   Being a gamer myself I know a lot of other gamers started gaming because there are nothing else to do. However, in a college setting like Purdue, there are TONS of activites to do around. Adam’s idea is great and it’s a breeze for all the gamers but I don’t think it will last long. First, the graphic system of these gaming devices will cost a lot, and they are quickly outdated, a lot of gamers also prefer customized interface or just simply using their own machine. If the idea is just for providing spaces and places to meet each other, I don’t see why these gamers will want to leave their dorm/forum/clan/etc.. seeing as not all gamers play the same game plus they are very likely to already have certain people who they game with.

9. 

   Ryan Pogotis August 25th, 2009 at 17:38

   I am not a gamer. The last I enjoyed playing video games was when the goal was to gather at least 8 of your best friends and have a lan party. With the successes of WOW, XBOX live, and other online gaming connections we quit having those parties. I don’t think that the business will be successful because you don’t need to be around anyone to play with them anymore. Purdue once had a business in Purdue West that was very similar to Adam’s idea and as far as I know it failed, or was never of any interest to my dorm mates in Shreve Hall. I’m not that surprised by gamers being over 50, I met a highly successful 54 CEO gamer on a plane once. I’ve met several others as well and think that many people over 50 who want to feel active but aren’t as capable do to their age would enjoy video games.

10. 

    Jesus Pozo August 25th, 2009 at 18:27

    I am astonished with the stats. I believe in Europe the stats aren’t that dramatic but they might. Besides this, I wonder whether his idea will success or not. I believe nowadays, people socialize with other people via internet from their houses. why would they leave their houses to play video games? the key is that I can play from my house and tell you that I am a Italian guy (for example) very tall and fit and that I have a ferrari in my garage. If I were to go to a gaming facility they will discover that I am actually not from Italy, that I am overweight and that I do not have a social life! ( and no ferrari at all)… Apart from that, what is he going to offer to make his business much better than playing via internet?

11. 

    Alex Lewis August 25th, 2009 at 18:43

    Adam’s idea sounds as though it has been done before. The only difference between this idea and a Dave & Busters is that Adam’s will be open 24/7 and will probably feature more than just arcade games. I do think that the idea is great though as it brings real interaction back into gaming. With the success of online gaming the personal aspect has almost disappeared being able to go and have a LAN party at any point in the day sounds fun though. I have to wonder though what will the facility be stocked entertainment wise and will it offer food or drinks.

12. 

    Eugene August 29th, 2009 at 14:57

    What I find interesting is that the stats. claims that gamers are less likely to be socially outgoing. I guess this depends on your definition of being social,I say this because almost all the new games that are coming out have facilities for on line gaming and interactions with other players. Wouldn’t you call that social interaction.

13. 

    Mark Minissale August 29th, 2009 at 16:22

    Wow those are astonishing facts I didn’t know that gamers gamed that high in age. Interesting

14. 

    Xi Wu August 29th, 2009 at 17:24

    I think it’s not the game but the basic desire of those gamers that matters. Gamers may just find this way to express or compensate some feelings because of the social environment. And games are kinds of forms that used by gamers. Besides games, there must be other ways that can satisfy this basic desire. So maybe we need more statistics and analysis.

15. 

    Stephen Williams II August 30th, 2009 at 15:24

    I believe there the odds of success for Adam’s business are pretty good. A large sum of college students (believed to be mostly male) exist at Purdue and may want to spend a lot of time (including the late hours of the night) playing games. So many of them could be stressed about exams and/or finals and may need to take a load off playing games as an alternative to sleep. There may be some who are not avid gamers who may want to do the same and take a load off. They may not be able to exercise or may be too stressed/excited to go to sleep so they may try gaming for a few minutes to an hour. Even though there may be some flaws to this business, if they try to balance it out with other products/services, the possibilities of success could be endless for this potential business.

16. 

    Ankit Buti August 30th, 2009 at 23:50

    I feel that gaming is a huge industry and its very difficult to target all gamers together. Also the products and choices would differ. Therefore its not feasible for an entrepreneur to think this big and may be waste a great idea which might work wonders for a smaller sub group while anticipating its failure for the other.