Let me start by admitting I haven’t always been a gamer. Sure, back in the 90s, my colleagues and I would pull all-nighters at the office, glued to Doom and other games. When the boss caught us napping on office sofas, we claimed we were working on "projects"—a bit of a stretch for a bunch of stock exchange traders!

Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many, I needed new ways to entertain myself. Enter the PlayStation. I set one up at home and even at the office. You can imagine the look on my colleagues' faces when they saw their boss smashing virtual enemies between meetings.

From mid-December to mid-February, I spent 2-3 hours daily diving into Assassin's Creed and God of War. This was my “game therapy,” a way to blow off steam and indulge my superhero fantasies. I once faced an unbeatable foe in God of War, watched endless YouTube tutorials, and finally resorted to cheats to win. The sense of victory was unmatched.

But after three years of this "therapy," I hit a wall. My wife went on a trip, and in Milan, I decided to revisit my gaming passion. Something was off. Five minutes into Elden Ring, I realized this was no God of War. No cheats, just brutal honesty about my gaming skills—or lack thereof. I got pummeled by peasants. Even FIFA, my fallback, didn’t bring the same joy. It was a gaming fiasco.

I wondered why the thrill was gone. Why was I questioning, "Why play?" "Why waste time when it's so precious?"

I did some research, and here’s what I found: the average gamer in 2024 is 34 years old, with 15% of gamers over 45. So, gaming isn't just a young person's game anymore.

While the 31-36 age group is the largest, those in the 37-48 range are also on the rise. Even though interest wanes with age, the original PlayStation crowd still holds onto their gaming habits.

Games benefit older adults too. They keep the mind sharp, improve responsiveness, and provide excellent stress relief. Strategy and puzzle games are great for us "oldies," while shooters can be more challenging.
The gaming industry is booming. PlayStation boasts over 100 million active users, with the 25-36 age group leading the pack, closely followed by the 37-48 bracket.

Playstation sales still show Europe as its top customer with 200+ mil consoles, North America coming in a close second. However, this statistic is exclusive to Sony console sales and is highly dependent on purchasing power within the region. I bet, the real number of gamers is far from accurately represented by these graphs.

Is it worth playing after 45? Absolutely! Here’s why:

1. Mental Stimulation: Games keep your brain active. Strategies and puzzles require thinking, planning, and decision-making. As the saying goes, “no brains, no game.”
2. Social Activity: Games offer social interaction, new acquaintances, and even friendships worldwide. Who said friendship is limited to real life?
3. Stress Relief: After a hectic day, nothing beats unwinding in front of the screen, escaping real-world problems by defeating virtual foes or building a virtual empire.
4. Fun: Games bring joy and fun, regardless of age. Sure, we might be slower than the youngsters, but who cares? The main thing is having fun.

So, if you’re over 45 and wondering whether to keep gaming, my answer is a resounding yes! Let games be your escape and source of joy. Life’s too short to miss out on such simple pleasures.

My history and the stats show age isn’t a barrier. I might not be a gaming pro, but that’s just a matter of practice. We can enjoy any game, whether it’s a strategy, a shooter, or a life simulator. Don’t be afraid to try new things and have fun, no matter your age. As for me, I’m back to learning the ropes from scratch!