Playing the ‘ageing game’ well

Elderly Japanese are proving life – or the game as some may call it – isn’t over despite a few grey hairs or wrinkles beginning to show.

In fact, gaming arcades in Japan are reportedly becoming the “hippest place” to hang out for grandparents.

Elderly customers are making up a significant and growing number of those prepared to feed coins into machines for a few hours’ entertainment.

Offering fun and friendship away from the more traditional pursuits of old age,gaming arcades in Japan are reportedly actively chasing older gamers, especially during school hours when younger players are busy.

A spokesperson for the creators of Pac-Man, a game that has been a global phenomenon for 30 years, says today’s elderly have grown up around such entertainment and feel comfortable with it.

“In the 1980s, we saw an explosion of household video game consoles. Baby boomers have seen that, and they are more familiar with games than the elderly of the past.

“We are making our game arcades into places that engage a broad range of customers by using bright, pop decorations and setting up wide aisles for people to move around easily,” the spokesperson says.

Some arcades have also installed more comfortable chairs to cater for those who cannot cope so well with hours on hard seats. Others have instructed staff to do regular rounds of the parlour and talk to elderly customers to make them feel welcome. Some games also reportedly encouraging senior customers to use their fingers and think strategically.