Serious Fun

Kiwis are playing more games online than ever before, and it’s not only the kids doing so. Increasingly, older people have joined the gaming revolution, and are finding all kinds of benefits.

Dr Jeff Brand, Professor at Bond University and lead author of the Digital New Zealand Report 2016, said that video and computer games are being recognised for their effects on positive ageing, which explains why more mature Kiwis are jumping on the bandwagon.“New Zealanders are increasingly using games as a preventive measure to healthy ageing and the benefits are undeniable,” he says.

Older adults say that playing games improves their thinking skills, increases mental stimulation, help improve coordination and dexterity and help fight dementia. “The use of games-based technology is increasingly finding its way into physical and mental health applications. I continue to marvel at the growing adoption of video games beyond just entertainment,” says Professor Brand.

Another online growth area is watching video games as a form of entertainment. Just like people watch movies, TV shows and documentaries, they are now watching other people play video games. This trend is not limited to eSports as nowadays, games enthusiasts, including children, are interested in watching and learning from ‘professional’ players. Almost half of Kiwis watch video games.

“Video games have become a mainstream activity in New Zealand, and they are a game-changer in the way New Zealanders consume digital and interactive media,” he says. “Two thirds of the population play, and video game devices are present in 98 per cent of New Zealand family homes.”

· Video games are a normal part of media use – the daily average time spent playing video games is 88 minutes. Ten minutes, three times a day is typical for casual game play, with one hour daily typical for in-depth game play

· Games are not only enjoyed by kids and teenagers –78 per cent of the game playing population is aged 18 years or older

· It’s not a boy thing – Nearly half (48 per cent) of the game population is female

· It’s a family and social thing –79 per cent of playing parents play with their children, and 26 per cent of adult players play online games with partners.

· Parents usually monitor children’s use – Two thirds (65 per cent) of adults are ‘always present’ to purchase games for children, and half (52 per cent) are familiar with parental controls on game systems

· The multiple-screen household is the new norm – 83 per cent of New Zealand households have three or more screens in their homes – 49 per cent have five or more screens.

· Video games beyond entertainment –23 per cent of Kiwi adults have used video games at work for training purposes, and 38 per cent of parents say their children have used video games for school curriculum

Ron Curry, CEO of Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA), says that as recently as 2010, video games were still seen as just an entertainment medium aimed at the younger children. Today, gamers are no longer young and playing for one-dimensional (solely entertainment) purposes. “We are witnessing significant changes in the realm of digital interactive entertainment where games have become an amazing medium to supplement healthy ageing and reinvigorate the way we engage with digital media,” he says.

Check out the games available on GrownUps to get you started – there’s plenty to challenge and entertain you!