Video Games for Ladies Over 35

With the extensive amount of video game communities available both online and over console networks, ladies over 35 have a variety of choices when selecting which titles, websites or genres to patron. The Internet has blossomed into a network of similarly minded individuals sharing interests over websites, forums and online video games. Locating an ideal online place to play, or the perfect video game title, can be a daunting task considering many companies seem to target video game players in their teens, twenties and early thirties.

For this article, I turned to my friends who fall into the "ladies over 35" gamer category to poll what they look for in video games, both online and offline.

"I don't necessarily like to play online with others, because I get very intimidated easily," explained Beth Cummings, a frequent visitor to online video game communities such as Pogo. "I also like a good mix between fun and challenging--though if I'm playing just to ... relax, then I go for the mostly fun. If I'm playing because I'm into really playing that day, then challenging is good--but it still has to be fun, or I'll drop it like a hot potato." She indicated that she was willing to play a monthly fee to access such video games, or to pay a purchase price up-front: "I don't care whether it's free or if it has to be paid for."

The requirement of challenging and relaxing is a common thread among ladies who play video games, especially female gamers in the 35+ crowd. After a difficult day of work, or tending to children and the home, many women want to unwind with an online or console video game. What may be surprising is how many of these lady gamers look for video games which do not necessarily include a multiplayer feature.

"I could care less if there's another person to talk to. I'm just there to play the (video) games," said Lannette Johnson, a long-time patron of online gaming communities and various PC titles such as The Sims. "I have no desire to play online games with other people." Even while logged into community sites such as Pogo, Lannette and many other lady gamers over 35 prefer to play solo.

When looking for a console or PC video games, one of the most frequently mentioned titles was EA's The Sims series. "To me that's like playing with a real-life doll house," commented Lannette, comparing the Sims video games to the popular childhood toy. "I don't even care if my Sims have a life-I just want to decorate." Although The Sims franchise offers an online version, many lady gamers over 35 opt for the solo play style-often preferring the creative outlet provided in decorating Sims houses to the challenges built into these titles.

When asked what she looked for in video games, Sheryl Lee found it easier to specify what she doesn't look for: "I don't like gore or violence." When elaborating on what she actively seeks in her video game titles, she specified: "I like games that stretch my mind, like word games or puzzle games-that sort." Her sentiments echoed that of Lannette Johnson, who recommended online communities such as Pogo for their built-in tutorials. "I've learned to play a lot of games that I never played before-like Canasta. I had never played Canasta, or Euchre or Hearts." Yahoo! Games also feature build-in tutorials, allowing users to access the rules of each hosted game while playing with live opponents or computer-operated "robots."

Most of the lady gamers over 35 that I interviewed spent the majority of their time on online video game communities, in lieu of console or PC titles. Customizable avatars, unlockable badges or awards and cute graphics were all mentioned as perks to various sites like Pogo, but none of the lady gamers who volunteered their opinions indicated they would sacrifice a relaxing-and challenging-experience for the sake of sparkle. "The settings for the games (on Yahoo!) are more realistic. The game boards, the game tables, are easier to use--that's why I keep going back to Yahoo! Games," mentioned Sheryl Lee.

The similar preferences in video games between all of the lady gamers over 35 I interviewed seems indicate a common lure which appealing to ladies of that age group. "Your age dictates a lot of what you do for fun. If you want to do something more active than reading a book-you go play video games," explained Sheryl Lee. Beth Cummings indicated the same freedom to play-or not play-based entirely on her mood, free time and interest level had her returning to online video games. "My playing tends to go in waves--I'll play a bunch for a while, then I won't. Depends on what's going on (in her life). Depends on children, weather, how much I'm reading at the time," Beth concluded.

Ultimately, ladies over 35 seem to share many of the same requirements in video games and online gamer communities. Options in playing either alone or against opponents seemed to be trumped only by a desire to both relax and challenge their minds. Fortunately, online sites like Pogo and Yahoo! Games, or franchises like The Sims, offer just that-options.