Reasons for Playing Casual Video Games and Perceived Benefits Among Adults 18 to 80 Years Old

Abstract

Casual video games (CVGs) are becoming increasingly popular among middle-aged and older adults, yet there are few studies documenting why adults of different ages play these games, what benefits they perceive, and how regularly they play. The present study compared the online survey responses of 10,308 adults ranging from 18 to 80 years of age to questions regarding PopCap's popular free online game, Bejeweled Blitz (BJB). All respondents cited playing against friends as their main reason for playing. However, there were differences by age in the second most frequently cited reason. Middle-aged adults cited stress relief, and older adults reported that they seek the game's challenges. As a result of playing CVGs, younger adults noted that they felt sharper and experienced improved memory; older adults were more likely to feel that their visuospatial skills and response time benefited. Adults aged 60 and older had heavier patterns of game play than did adults under the age of 60 years. A significant number of respondents (14.7%) spontaneously noted that they felt that BJB had addictive qualities. CVG players seem to be drawn into this activity by its social nature and to a certain extent by its reinforcing properties. Once involved, however, they believe that they derive a number of benefits that, for older adults, appear to offset declines in age-sensitive cognitive functions.

What Older People Like to Play: Genre Preferences and Acceptance of Casual Games

“…These findings underscore previous reports that puzzle games are the preferred game genre of older adults and the easiest to interact with [40]. …”

Older Adults’ Digital Gameplay

“…McLaughlin et al (2012) also found that players experienced flow states; benefits such as self-esteem, social interaction, challenge, and achievement were identified in their players' recorded comments during gameplay but were not formally measured. Based on an online survey of players of one casual video game, Whitbourne, Ellenberg, and Akimoto (2013) reported that gamers of all ages played primarily for social reasons, and older adults said that gameplay helped them to improve their visual and spatial skills and their response time. De Schutter and Malliet (2014) identified cognitive and social connectedness needs as two of five types of gameplay motivation identified by older adults but could not directly relate these to the types of satisfaction that their subjects described.…”

Are everyday sadists specifically attracted to violent video games and do they emotionally benefit from playing those games?

“…Research suggests that individuals often seek out video games because of the expectation that video game play reduces stress (Whitbourne, Ellenberg, & Akimoto, 2013) and regulates the player's emotions (Olson, 2010). Research suggests that individuals often seek out video games because of the expectation that video game play reduces stress (Whitbourne, Ellenberg, & Akimoto, 2013) and regulates the player's emotions (Olson, 2010).…”

“…Study 2 addressed the emotional consequences of playing video games. Research suggests that individuals often seek out video games because of the expectation that video game play reduces stress (Whitbourne, Ellenberg, & Akimoto, 2013) and regulates the player's emotions (Olson, 2010). Some studies (e.g., Bowman & Tamborini, 2015;Russoniello, O'Brien, & Parks, 2009) do find that playing preferred video games has a positive impact on the player's mood.…”