AARP: 45% of People 50+ Play Games

The AARP’s 2023 survey on the gaming habits of individuals aged 50 and older reveals a steady increase in engagement among this demographic. Based on a survey of nearly 7,800 participants conducted in mid-2022, the findings indicate that 45% of people in this age bracket play video games at least once a month. This represents a consistent upward trend from 44% in 2019 and 38% in 2016. Beyond participation rates, the intensity of engagement has also grown, with the average time spent playing rising from 8.5 hours per week in 2019 to 12 hours per week in 2022.

Mobile platforms dominate this segment, with 84% of respondents reporting mobile play, significantly outpacing console usage at 28% and smart home technology at 21%. While a larger portion of older gamers reported spending money on games—38% compared to 27% in 2019—the average expenditure per person decreased from $64 to $49 over the same period. Popular genres remain consistent across age groups, favoring puzzle, logic, card, and tile games, with a notable surge in word game popularity attributed to the rise of Wordle.

Despite this growth, the survey highlights a disconnect between developers and the older audience. A significant 69% of respondents feel that video games are designed without consideration for their age group. Furthermore, user experience is frequently hampered by monetization strategies, as more than half of the respondents reported that their enjoyment is negatively impacted by aggressive advertising, mandatory in-app purchases, and frequent promotional notifications.