Playing video games, a mind-numbing pastime reserved for children and geeks , or on the contrary a way to fight effectively against age and its misdeeds? If video games have indeed long suffered from an image of a simple pastime for retarded teenagers, the trend is changing and they are gaining more and more legitimacy, in particular artistic and cultural - the Ministry of Culture recognizes for example since 2006 video games as a legitimate cultural practice. And that's not all, the 10th art, as some now call it, would have therapeutic virtues, helping in particular to strengthen the cognitive performance of their practitioners. In short, long gone are the days when seniors made fun of their grandchildren's beloved Pokémon. Today, they are more the ones who play games that are not always frankly fulfilling – the timeless Candy Crush which sits proudly in the smartphones of many seniors is a good example – to pass the time.
And with a multiplicity of platforms — between telephones, portable consoles, home consoles, virtual reality, computers, tablets —, constant technical progress, and a wider range between industry behemoths and small independent producers, the offer is richer than ever for this hobby that unites across ages and respective tastes. Because indeed, if the category of "gamer" (regular video game player) rather evokes a young man (often) with headphones and microphone screwed on his ears facing a computer worthy of NASA, we forget that among the players there are also those who are content to use their telephone. Thus, more than half of the French would be occasional players! So why start playing video games, if you haven't already? What do we gain from this, as an elderly person?
Let's remember if necessary, playing video games is above all... entertaining. Unfairly decked out with a childish image, there are nevertheless very serious games intended for a mature audience. A bit like the world of cinema or literature, ultimately, there is something for everyone:thriller atmosphere, or dreamlike and contemplative, or on the contrary hyperactive simulation... the world of video games is of a wealth as infinite as there are potential players, or almost. In the same way that there are books intended for a mature audience, and children's literature, or some that require a certain concentration while others are easier to read. Everyone has their strengths and flaws, and there's no shame in choosing one category over another, in the end.
Some gamers die-hards also take a dim view of games deemed too "easy". There is a dichotomy in the gaming world between entertainment and difficulty — perhaps due to an inferiority complex, vis-à-vis other art forms? —, a bit like the way an informed movie buff can be dismissive of a mainstream comedy. However, some franchises, such as the one inspired by LEGO bricks or the Animal Crossing series, remind us that a game does not draw its appeal from its level of difficulty, that there can be as much value in offering an activity simply , well… fun. The important thing is to get pleasure from it above all!
Good, but once this fact is established, it turns out that video game practice has advantages that go beyond simple entertainment or entertainment. You may remember the famous Wii, which when it was released about fifteen years ago, brought the whole family together for the first time around the television to play skill games and other games together. sports simulations. Because yes, more and more, the video game is practiced with several people, and denotes a certain ability to unite, in a spirit of good-natured competition. Around a console or a board game, it doesn't matter in the end, as long as this spirit is there. It's hard to imagine a better way to bridge the generation gap and get closer to your grandchildren than through a multiplayer game.
Those who require movement, like the Wii, even have the advantage of physically maintaining gently. One of the console's flagship games, for example, offered fitness exercises, indicating in a fun way the progress made in various categories and the calories burned. There is therefore no reason to urge the youngest to go and let off steam when you catch them in front of the console.
Above all, video games would be extremely beneficial for the cerebral and cognitive capacities of seniors, at an age when these tend to erode if they are not regularly called upon. Indeed, the plasticity of the brain means that it is always possible for older people to learn new skills and keep in shape the ones they already have. And for that, nothing better than an interactive activity… like a video game.
If the most snobs have therefore long frowned when advising the youngest to read a book or go out to play rather than being stupefied in front of their screens and their joystick buttons, it would seem that they are largely misled all this time. Because playing video games is particularly beneficial for short-term memory and attention span, in particular, or the ability to perform several tasks at the same time:the manipulation of a controller which seems so innate in the youngest can sometimes cause problems for older people, for example, like a novice driver placed behind the wheel for the first time. By projecting itself into the video game, the brain is also forced to design a virtual map of the universe concerned. In short, so many positive solicitations which therefore have an impact on the development of neurological diseases, the risk of which would be reduced. No reason to deny the grandkids a console game the next time you babysit them…as long as it doesn't replace homework, of course.
And besides, if you still doubt these virtues, know that more and more retirement homes and nursing homes are convinced of them, and therefore integrate this type of equipment into the leisure activities and activities offered. Here again, the community aspect is put forward, the simple spectators giving voice to encourage their partners. But above all, the effects on the cognitive abilities of seniors are felt in the long term, with regular progress observed by staff, and now confirmed by studies.
There is also a category of games designed for this purpose:serious games . Behind this name, there are so-called "serious" games, which are specifically designed to train the cerebral faculties, and in particular to prevent the development of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Others are adapted to various pathologies, such as Parkinson's, or rehabilitation following the sequelae left by a stroke, using consoles capable of detecting movements.
But of course, "normal" video games also train the brain, and after all, remember that the main thing is to have fun - together with the family, at the retirement home, or even alone. No more shame in recognizing yourself as a geek , even old!
