If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be donning a virtual reality headset, exploring fantastical worlds, and building empires from my living room, I might have raised an eyebrow. Yet here I am, absolutely hooked on gaming, and I’m not alone. Gaming after 50 is experiencing a remarkable surge, and honestly? It’s one of the best discoveries of my second chapter.
For too long, video games have been stereotyped as the exclusive domain of teenagers hunched over controllers in darkened bedrooms. But that image couldn’t be further from reality. Today, millions of us over 50 are picking up controllers, keyboards, and VR headsets – and we’re having an absolute blast doing it.
Why Gaming After 50 Makes Perfect Sense
There’s something wonderfully liberating about embracing gaming at this stage of life. Many of us grew up alongside the video game industry. We remember the excitement of early arcade machines, the arrival of home consoles, and the dawn of personal computing. We’re not newcomers to this world; we’re returning to an old friend who’s grown up right alongside us.
What’s changed is that games have evolved into incredible experiences that offer so much more than simple entertainment. They challenge our minds, connect us with others around the globe, and yes – they’re genuinely fun. After decades of responsibilities, deadlines, and serious adulting, isn’t it wonderful to have permission to play again?
My Personal Gaming Journey
I’ll be honest with you – I’ve always been a gamer at heart. One of my absolute favourites that I’ve played for years is Age of Empires. There’s something deeply satisfying about building civilisations, managing resources, and developing strategy. It exercises parts of my brain that don’t get much workout in everyday life.
But my gaming horizons have expanded dramatically in recent years. I’ve ventured into the world of virtual reality with my Meta Quest 3, and it’s been nothing short of transformative. The immersion is incredible – you’re not just watching a game, you’re inside it. From fitness games that have me ducking, weaving, and genuinely breaking a sweat, to exploration experiences that transport me to places I could never visit in real life, VR has opened up entirely new possibilities.
I’ve also become quite invested in PC gaming through Steam. Games like Blue Prince, Raft, Nightingale, Mist Survival, and Palworld have captured countless hours of my time. Each offers something different – survival challenges, creative building, mysterious puzzles, and cooperative adventures. The variety available today means there’s genuinely something for everyone, regardless of your interests or skill level.
I’m so passionate about this that I’ve started a YouTube channel called BLA50 (Life After 50) where I share my gaming experiences, particularly VR gaming and fitness content. You can find it at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfRUWzao5QyLPz0q-ZJFIRQ. Creating content about gaming has added another dimension to the hobby – it’s given me a creative outlet and connected me with like-minded people who share this interest.
The Unexpected Benefits of Gaming After 50
Beyond pure enjoyment, gaming after 50 offers some genuinely impressive benefits that align perfectly with living our best lives in this chapter.
Cognitive Fitness
Research consistently shows that gaming can help maintain cognitive function as we age. Strategy games like Age of Empires require planning, resource management, and quick decision-making. Puzzle games challenge our problem-solving abilities. Even action games improve reaction times and hand-eye coordination. Think of it as a gym workout for your brain – and considerably more enjoyable than sudoku (though that’s brilliant too).
Social Connection
One of the biggest surprises for newcomers to gaming is the social aspect. Many games today are designed for cooperative play, meaning you can team up with friends, family, or even strangers from around the world. I’ve had wonderful experiences playing survival games with others, working together to build, explore, and overcome challenges. In a world where loneliness affects so many of us over 50, gaming offers genuine connection.
Physical Activity Through VR
This might seem counterintuitive, but VR gaming can be genuinely physical. Fitness games, boxing simulations, and active adventures have me moving in ways I wouldn’t otherwise. My Fitbit data shows real calorie burn during VR sessions. It’s not a replacement for traditional exercise, but it’s a fantastic supplement – and the motivation factor is huge when exercise feels like play.
Stress Relief and Mental Wellbeing
After a challenging day, there’s something therapeutic about losing yourself in another world for an hour. Gaming provides a healthy escape, a way to decompress and reset. It’s mindfulness through engagement – your focus narrows to the task at hand, and everyday worries fade into the background.
The Joy of Retro Gaming and Collecting
I should mention another fascinating aspect of gaming after 50: the retro gaming community. Many of us are returning to the games of our youth, collecting classic consoles like the SNES, NES, and Mega Drive (or Genesis for our American friends). There’s a thriving community of collectors who appreciate these vintage systems not just for nostalgia, but as important cultural artefacts.
The beauty of retro gaming is its accessibility. These older games often have simpler controls and more straightforward gameplay, making them perfect for casual sessions or introducing grandchildren to gaming history. Plus, there’s something special about playing the same games you enjoyed decades ago, now sharing that experience with a new generation.
Getting Started with Gaming After 50
If you’re curious about dipping your toe into gaming, here’s my advice: start with what interests you. Don’t feel pressured to play whatever’s popular with younger generations. The gaming world is vast enough that you’ll find something that resonates with your personal interests.
For strategy lovers, games like Age of Empires or Civilization offer deep, rewarding experiences. If you’re drawn to creativity, building games like Minecraft or survival crafting games provide endless possibilities. Interested in fitness? VR platforms offer numerous ways to get moving. Prefer puzzles and mysteries? There’s a wealth of adventure and puzzle games waiting for you.
The Meta Quest 3 has been a game-changer for me personally – it’s standalone, meaning no complicated PC setup required, and the library of games continues to grow. For PC gaming, Steam makes discovering and purchasing games simple, and the platform frequently offers sales that make building a collection quite affordable.
Don’t be intimidated by the technology. Modern games are designed to be accessible, with tutorials, adjustable difficulty settings, and helpful communities ready to assist newcomers. And if you get stuck? YouTube is filled with helpful guides and walkthroughs.
Connecting with Other Gamers
One of my favourite aspects of gaming after 50 is connecting with others who share this interest. Online communities, forums, and social media groups cater specifically to older gamers. You’ll find people sharing recommendations, organising multiplayer sessions, and simply chatting about their experiences.
If you’re already on your own gaming journey, I’d love to hear about it. And if you’re interested in seeing what gaming looks like for someone over 50, do check out my YouTube channel where I share my adventures in VR and beyond.
Embrace the Play
Here’s what I’ve come to believe: play isn’t just for children. The freedom to explore, to challenge ourselves, to create and compete – these are fundamental human needs that don’t disappear when we hit a certain age. If anything, gaming after 50 feels more rewarding because we’re choosing it purely for joy, not because we’re avoiding homework or killing time before adult responsibilities kick in.
We’ve earned the right to play. We’ve worked hard, raised families, navigated careers, and managed countless responsibilities. If spending an evening building virtual civilisations, exploring mysterious islands, or challenging ourselves in VR brings us happiness, then that’s time wonderfully spent.
So whether you’re a returning gamer reconnecting with an old passion, a complete newcomer curious about what all the fuss is about, or somewhere in between – welcome. The gaming community has room for all of us, and this chapter of life is the perfect time to press start.
