Retirees and eSports

When you think of someone who plays video games, you may not think of a senior citizen. This is especially true when you think about esports. There’s definitely a stereotype that exists where gamers are teenagers or people in their early 20s staying up all night powered by Mountain Dew and snacks. That may have been the case one day, but video games are no longer the exclusively for the young.

This is especially true when it comes to esports. Worldwide, there are forecasted to be over 900 million esports users by 2030, which shows the incredible growth of this industry.

If you’re not familiar with esports, think of them as organized video game competitions. Users often form teams, but they also play individually. Tournaments and other events are set up where players compete against one another, similar to other sports or hobbies.

Also like other sports and hobbies, more and more retirees are getting involved.

It used to be strange to see seniors rock climbing, skydiving, or running marathons too, but modern retirees don’t have the same desires as those who came before them. It’s not always about settling down into a comfy chair or spending your days sitting in garden (though it certainly can be if that’s what you enjoy). Today’s retirees are doing things that would have been considered odd in the past.

It’s all about putting together the exact retirement you want. For some seniors, like the “Silver Snipers,” that means forming an esports team. 

What is an eSports Team?

An esports team is essentially what it sounds like: a group of people who get together to compete against other teams in video game competitions. There are professional teams which operate like traditional sports franchises. They have an owner, management team, coaches, and pay salaries to their players. They also often have sponsorships, staff members, and scouting departments.

There are also amateur teams which operate more like community or grassroots sports teams. These teams often form on their own, based on shared geography or interests. They also compete in tournaments and competitions, but usually only against only amateur teams. 

Skill levels, amount of time playing, and how serious these teams are will vary.

Finding a Senior eSports Team

If you decide you want to participate in esports, one of the possible challenges you’ll face will be finding a team. While esports have become much more popular and while retirees and senior citizens are participating more now than ever before, there still aren’t an overwhelming number of them.

That can actually be to your advantage, however. Since there aren’t as many teams, it’s not as competitive to join one. It also means that you can start your own. There are websites and social media pages entirely dedicated to helping people start and join esports teams. If you’d like to participate, join one of those sites, create your profile, and look for people to game with. You don’t necessarily need to find an entire team of seniors or retirees, but it might help you feel more comfortable if you’re playing with your peers. 

You can also start a team on your own with others you know. Consider asking your friends or others in the community if they want to team together. Treat it like any other hobby. Put up postings online or in your community that you are a senior looking for other video gamers to form a team with. You never know who you’ll find. 

Much like with any team, there are different skill levels of roles on many esports teams. The teams themselves have different levels as well, from beginner teams to groups for more experienced players. Since there is so much variety, you have a good chance at finding a team for you. 

The Benefits of Gaming for Retirees

You may have grown up with the idea that video games were “bad for you” or that they’re a “waste of time” or something you shouldn’t be doing. Those thoughts and judgments were common many years ago and, in some ways, they still persist today.

The stereotypes around gaming are one of roadblocks you might face when starting a team. However, these days, people are more aware of the benefits than ever before. Sharing these benefits and letting people know that there’s a lot of good reasons to take up gaming as a hobby.

Cognitive Benefits

There are enormous cognitive benefits to video gaming. It can help you with pattern recognition, memory, multitasking, critical thinking, problem solving, and more. 

There are strong benefits associated with games that change frequently or playing new or unfamiliar games. In these games, you rely less on “muscle memory” and have to form new pathways in your brain to have success. 

Many games are about switching between tasks and doing several things at once. This keeps your brain “on its toes” so to speak and helps you maintain strong mental flexibility. 

Taking part in challenging games has long been shown to help avoid cognitive decline and even stave off dementia. 

Physical Activity

There are games that can be played with motion controls or physical movement, and this can help you be more active. However, even games that you play sitting down holding a control have benefits. This includes hand-eye coordination, keeping your hands nimble, and improving your reflexes since you need to react quickly to what’s on screen. 

Stress Relief

Life can be stressful, even in retirement. Just because you don’t have a job to go to, it doesn’t mean there aren’t stressors. Bills, the news, and personal relationships can all be stressful. Having a way to escape from these issues and focus on something else for a while can be incredibly beneficial. Everyone needs some kind of stress relief in their lives. 

Social Benefits

Being on an esports team also gives you social benefits. One of the traditional knocks on video gaming is that you’re alone with a screen. This can be considered isolating. However, when you’re gaming with others, there is considerable social benefits.

This is true whether you’re in the same room with one another or playing on the internet. The sense of comradery, teamwork, and companionship are very strong. The competitive nature of gaming helps increase these feelings. You’re not just hanging out talking to one another, you’re supporting each other in the game, encouraging each other, and achieving goals. 

Finding Purpose

One aspect of retirement that a lot of people struggle with is finding purpose. For the longest time, your purpose was likely your job. It took up a significant amount of your time, but it also gave you direction. It helped you find things to strive for and look forward to.

When you’re no longer in the working world, it’s easy to feel like you have nowhere to turn and nothing to do. Having hobbies helps that. They give you something that you take pride in, enjoy, and want to participate in. 

Joining an esports team is an excellent way to find purpose. The cognitive benefits, stress relief, physical skills, and personal relationship advantages are all a part of what makes this hobby a great one to start.