Riding the Retirement Boom - Video Games

Lesser-known video game developer PopCap Games has found that 47% of its players are Age 50 years and older. Older players also tend to play games longer than younger counterparts and cite a wide variety of benefits they obtain from playing even relatively simple (but fun lets not forget) games.

Seattle-based game publisher and developer PopCap Games (Bookworm, Zuma), the company today released more data suggesting that almost half of those who play these types of games are age 50 or older.

The survey was conducted in August, 2006 by market research firm Information Solutions Group, and the findings were the result of an online survey of PopCap customers' casual gaming habits. The overall results are based upon online surveys completed by 2,191 randomly selected respondents, including 1,040 (47 percent) people age 50 or older, 19 percent of whom were age 60 or older.

According to PopCap, the survey found that of casual game players age 50 and above, 86 percent cited stress relief as the chief benefit experienced from playing casual games. 74 percent noted cognitive exercise as a benefit, while 62 percent identified memory strengthening. 32 percent of those in this age range also commented that playing these games distracted them from chronic pain and/or fatigue, while nearly one in ten subjects said they derive actual pain relief from playing. In general, 86 percent of older survey respondents said that they felt playing casual games offered them physical and/or mental health benefits, compared to 74 percent of those under 50.

Yes PopCap could be the next aging-baby-boomer play, but unfortunately, they are not listed. Anyone for corporate finance reading? Those looking to find their next rung for the corporate ladder- this could be the next hot IPO/private equity idea. Not sure what PopCap's revenue or profits are, but thats what growth forecasts are for. Anyhow, seems like easy money to raise. Just use the proceeds to develop baby-boomer games and then wait for Electronic Arts (NSDQ:ERTS) to snatch up the company.

But seriously, video games for the baby boomers, which relieve stress, pain, and keep the mind entertained and sharp, seem like they have a great future. While some might say it might take time for US culture to change, we point out that PopCap's survey wasn't done in Japan, it was done in the US and thus the consumer audience is already well on its way toward development.

And it won't take much of a culture shift if increasingly advanced video games can make things like painful walks around the park and feeding flocks of pigeons seem pretty dull. We think they are up to the task. We'll also note that in the recent Economist, the multiplayer virtual reality world of Second Life got its own special report. One of the players highlighted? A grandmother from New York. Continued from the PopCast research:

The research also revealed some interesting data concerning leisure time activities among those surveyed, with 75 percent identifying “playing casual computer games” as the number one way to spend their free time. Among those under 50, the three most popular choices were “spending time with friends or family” (74 percent), “playing casual computer games” (73 percent) and both “watching TV or movies” and “reading a book, newspaper or magazine” (tied with 71 percent each). On a related question, 16 percent of survey respondents age 50 or older chose “playing casual computer games” as their most important leisure-time activity, compared with 10 percent of younger respondents.

Nevertheless, we're sure there will be those who will bemoan the fact that the elderly no longer sit in corners and rocking-chair-away their final days. "Geez, Grandpa! For the third time, please come and eat dinner with your grandkids! Look, you can play Second Life after we all go to bed."

Comments

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The best way to play the trend in older gamers is clearly Nintendo. They have been focusing on broadening the gaming population past the core 15-35 male demographic with games like brain training and the innovative plans for the DS and the Wii.

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Nevertheless, we're sure there will be those who will bemoan the fact that the elderly no longer sit in corners and rocking-chair-away their final days.

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