University of Texas: games might slow aging process [update 1]
by Zack Stern 
{ Sep 30th 2006 at 10:10PM }
The University of Texas (go Longhorns) is designing games and researching their effect on older players, according to Yahoo! News. The University of Virginia (go Cavaliers) questions the Texas goal of maintaining mental and physical agility with games. The image of older gamers flailing around with touch-sensitive gloves and VR helmets is our favorite detail of the $13-million project. The future has never been so retro. Mihai Nadin, the professor who heads the research says, "This is not a marketing opportunity but a social responsibility."
But we think it should be a social responsibility and a marketing opportunity. After all, the article makes the obligatory Brain Age reference, citing sales of roughly seven million total copies. Those weren't just given away. Publishers of casual games have already been selling to this older demographic; we don't think it'll take long for other games to reach an older audience.
Dr. Nadin followed up with us about this post. He wanted to make sure readers understand that the University of Virginia study wasn't a response to his research with the University of Texas. The Virginia study was unrelated, although its subject of mind-maintenance through aging is relevant, which is why we mentioned it.
Dr. Nadin further stressed the social responsibility of finding ways to extend mental and physical abilities -- the cost of assisted living strains individuals and government programs. But he also said that people don't need to choose social responsibility over commerce; they can go together. We were raising the point that any business -- especially franchise-driven videogames -- follows the money. We hope he's right, and publishers find a niche in games-as-therapy.
[Update 1: Added last two paragraphs.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Senshida @ Sep 30th 2006 10:17PM
So I won't go old? Yay!
BTW. Cavaliers suck.. Go Hokies! (Virginia Tech)
otakucode @ Sep 30th 2006 11:02PM
They don't address confouding factors. For instance, is it playing the games that keeps you young, or drinking the blood of the people you're driven to kill by the games?
Alex @ Oct 1st 2006 9:55AM
@ #2 otakucode -
That is disgusting. Civilized gamers drain the blood and cook their victims thoroughly before consumption.
V. Watermelon @ Oct 1st 2006 1:44PM
So, I guess that explains why i have the mind of a five year old...
Wii Fan @ Oct 1st 2006 2:39PM
Yahoo - I will never die!
E.J. @ Oct 2nd 2006 1:41AM
Hook 'em.
Johnny from Poland @ Oct 7th 2006 9:27AM
Uhh, I always knew it. My grandmother plays "GTA San Andreas" for 2 years and my friends think she's my girlfriend. Damn, my grandmother is not my girlfriend! ;) "Forever young, I want to be forever young!" Have a nice day
/ps Poland is a large country between the Germany and Belarus, and it is not "Holland" ;)/