Video games can and should be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. Gone are the days when video games were just for children, as many of those children who loved video games have grown up into older adults and seniors who appreciate them just as much.
However, problems like declining vision, slowing reaction time, and less available free time can encroach on your hobby.
How do you solve them?
Declining Eyesight
As you get older, your eyesight can decline, eventually making it difficult to distinguish between characters on the screen. While there are some games that don’t require much visual acuity, most games do demand clear vision.
Fortunately, there are some solutions available.
· Consider surgery. LASIK surgery is a very simple, safe procedure designed to correct defects in the cornea, thereby improving your eyesight, says traverslasik.com. If you struggle with distance vision, it might be the best solution. Just keep in mind that not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK surgery – and consult with your doctor for more information.
· Check your prescription. If you find yourself squinting to see what’s on your screen, consider visiting your ophthalmologist to evaluate your current prescription. A simple change of lenses could be all it takes to help you see better.
· Invest in a better TV. One of the benefits of getting older is more disposable income. If you happen to have it, consider investing in a bigger, better TV with improved lighting and sharper resolution. It can make a big difference in how you play games.
· Adjust settings. Most games from the past several years have intricate settings and options that you can adjust for a better overall experience. Tweaking variables like brightness and contrast can help you see better.
Slowing Reaction Times
Quick reaction times are essential for certain genres of games, like first-person shooters (FPSs). But as we get older, our reaction times tend to slow. These are some ways you can deal with it:
· Train. Believe it or not, you can train your reaction time and gradually get better. You may not be able to completely reverse the effects of aging, but you can at least mitigate and stall them.
· Adjust settings. You may also be able to tinker with settings to compensate for your lack of fast reaction time. For example, you may be able to completely eliminate quick time events (QTEs).
· Try a different genre. If your reaction time is in the gutter, consider finding a different genre of game to entertain yourself. Turn-based strategy games, for example, have almost no need for a fast reaction time.
Less Free Time
It’s common for people, especially adults with careers, to feel like they don’t have enough free time. If you don’t have enough time to play the games you want, consider a strategy like one of the following:
· Eliminate a competing hobby. Pay attention to how you’re spending your free time. Is it possible for you to eliminate a competing hobby, or even a persistent distraction? For example, can you uninstall social media and spend the time you used to spend on social media playing games?
· Multitask. Is it possible for you to play games while taking care of something else? For example, can you bring a portable gaming console to work and play during your lunch break? Can you play a warmup match of your favorite game while on the phone with a relative?
· Take time off. If you truly don’t have any free time to spare, it could be a sign that you’re working too much. Consider taking time off for a much-needed break.
Comprehension and Learning Curves
Some older adults find it hard to “get into” certain types of games, especially those with high skill ceilings. Even if there’s a tutorial, it may not explain all the nuances of the controls or the dynamics that are present in game. The best solution for most gamers is to watch videos of other people playing the game, so you can learn from their habits and improve your own knowledge and skills.
Social Gaming
Connecting with others is one of the biggest advantages of playing video games, but for older adults, it can present its own challenges. Many of the people in your lobbies may be younger than you and superior in terms of visual acuity and reaction time. Still, if you’re willing to branch out on social media, it’s relatively easy to find gaming groups for adults and older adults. There are peers for practically every age group; you just have to exercise a little more discernment in who you play games with.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to play video games for years, or even decades to come. Once you solve these pain points, you’ll have an even more comfortable, immersive experience.
