Video games are for all ages, and if you don't believe it, just ask this group of Japanese grandparents who have formed Matagi Snipers , an eSports team with sponsors and all sorts of equipment and accessories you could imagine for a team like this. Who says video games aren't healthy?
Video games as entertainment
The goal of this esports team is far from winning major championships. Matagi Snipers simply aims to entertain senior citizens with the intention of improving their cognitive development and, incidentally, connecting them with their grandchildren on current events.
This is the case of Eba, one of the members who, at 67, felt that video games helped prevent cognitive decline, as they required him to actively move his hands and eyes, in addition to constantly communicating with the team via voice chat. All these actions kept him alert and made him feel more active overall, so the benefits of playing games proved to be considerable.
A very senior team
Although 21 hopefuls applied during the selection process, the team ultimately consists of only 8 players , all of whom have sponsored equipment and apparel. As we've already mentioned, the team's primary focus is providing recreational opportunities for its members, but this doesn't preclude them from participating in tournaments. Japan boasts several facilities dedicated to senior gamers, demonstrating the significant presence of video games in society, as evidenced by examples like this—decisions clearly aimed at fostering that very intention.
And it is that it is something very intelligent to such an extent of anticipating the future, since how old will those who currently work as professional players have? Will they ever stop wanting to play? Probably not. For this reason, this type of equipment could be used to start creating something for the near future. Where do you have to sign to withdraw in this way?
https://twitter.com/nhk_news/status/1440213522839863301
Video games as a form of retirement
The idea sounds fantastic to us. As Kotaku points out, ISK eSports, an esports facility focused exclusively on people over sixty, opened in Kobe last year with the aim of introducing video games to complete beginners. The Matagi Snipers team will start live streaming in October, so we have no doubt they'll become a global internet sensation. Why not invite one of your grandparents to try Fortnite or Warzone? You'd probably rack up some views on YouTube and Twitch too.