The older player of digital games: A classification based on perceived need satisfaction

Bob De Schutter; Steven Malliet

doi:10.1515/commun-2014-0005

Article

The older player of digital games: A classification based on perceived need satisfaction

Bob De Schutter and Steven Malliet

Published/Copyright: March 4, 2014

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From the journal Communications Volume 39 Issue 1

Abstract

The current study aims to integrate the findings of previous research on the use of video games by older adults by applying the Uses & Gratifications (U&GT) paradigm (Blumler and Katz, 1974). A qualitative study was performed with 35 participants aged between 50 and 74, who were selected from a larger sample of 213. Based upon their primary playing motives and the gratifications they obtain from digital game play, a classification was developed, resulting in five categories of older adults who actively play games: “time wasters”, “freedom fighters”, “compensators”, “value seekers” and “ludophiles”.

Keywords: uses and gratifications; motivation; older players; digital games; life-span perspective; substitution hypothesis; selective media audience

Published Online: 2014-3-4

Published in Print: 2014-3-3

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/commun-2014-0005

Keywords for this article

uses and gratifications; motivation; older players; digital games; life-span perspective; substitution hypothesis; selective media audience