In Britain, gaming is pretty popular yes. But, that’s ONLY within certain age ranges. I certainly haven’t met many ‘gamers’ over 50 in the UK, as my dad would say, ‘its a generation thing’. Now, here in Japan its a totally different story, that’s if the past two months are anything to go by.
On the train, i see countless ‘gamers’, whether it be on their iPhone, PS Vita or the like. More to the point, i see countless ‘gamers’ of all ages, from many walks of life, be it a business man or some young kid from high-school. I recently visited Akihabara ‘electric city’, its the third time ive done so and each time i go there is something interesting to see. Akihabara is buzzing with activity, from ‘real life’ Anime girls ‘enticing you’ into shopping centers to dedicated, dazzling arcade buildings with massive electric billboards spelling out SEGA.
Upon entering the famous Yodobashi building, Japanese men and women of all ages are flocking round iPhones, Tablets, high-tech cameras, computers and games. To see a 50+ year old business man in an immaculate suit showcasing a child like excitement over play-testing a PS Vita is something i am not accustom to. In itself, its actually quite refreshing.
Gaming doesn’t appear to be as much of a ‘generation thing’ as it is with Britain.
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Yodobashi, 2013
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That’s One Expensive Piece of Gaming, 2013
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A View of Japan 
Hey, I like where this blog is going.
The Yodobashi is one big/bulky building, and what a crap load of advertising on the front. The gaming and technology scene over there is one of the reasons why my brother would like to visit, though. The generation thing you mentioned is interesting. Now I know where to go when I retire! Kidding. In the future, as a grandmother, I could imagine beating my grand-kids at a fighting game or something. If I win, they’d have to bake ME cookies and serve the milk.
@cappuccinogaming
By the sound of your post, the gaming scene in Australia is a little more diverse in terms of the steriotype age groups that play games. You’ve got me curious.
I know that back in the UK, its not massively common for 50+ age groups to play games, as in video games. That doesn’t mean however that people over 50 don’t play them, its just that i haven’t met any that come to mind. I think the main focus of this post was that you see people from all walks of life, and age groups playing games, even on trains! I have never seen a businessman on a train back in the UK getting into a game on PS Vita like i have here in Japan.
One day this will all change i believe anyways. I think that the generations that play games now will be playing them when they reach 50+. Partly because gaming is evolving, theres more variety in whats out there. Its not just ‘Mario and Pacman’ any more, you’ve got serious titles like Heavy Rain which can take hold of an adult mind rather easily. I know that personally, the games i go for these days tend to be a little more mature than say, 5 years ago. That doesn’t mean i don’t play a bit of Sonic every now and again for old times sake…. lol.
@createsumzing
Yea, the Yodobashi building does have a ‘crap load of advertising’ on the front of it, it also has a cr*p load inside too lol. While its a particularly special building in this regard, this kind of thing is very common in the urban areas in Japan, particularity so in Akihabara, one of the many sub sections of Tokyo.
I know what you mean, when im a granddad im gonna kick my grandchildrens ass at video games, or whatever video games have evolved into by that point lol.
Ive been rather distracted lately for numerous reasons, hence why ive only just come back onto this blog now after some time, but i plan to update with at least one new post every week from now on. As the blog progresses it will start to become obviosu just how contradictory Japan is. On one hand, its an amazing place thats full of life, on the other, it can be a very lonely place thats easy to get ‘lost in’ so to speak, not in a literal sense.
Anyways, thank for the comments, hope you find my posts interesting as things move forward :).
Lol. Yeah, it’s been a while; I understand you’ve been busy. Thanks for the reply, though. I’ll follow to stay in touch.
I have to say – I’m actually surprised by this post. I know a number of gamers easily 50+ years old. That is not an uncommon thing in Australia at all.
I would not find it odd to go over to a colleagues, relatives or friends house and finding a 50+ year old sitting on the couch playing a console or PC of any kind. Never knew this was such an oddity in the UK!