What game should a 50 year old man who has never played a video game before play?

When a good friend of mine, a fifty-year-old man who had never touched a video game in his life, once asked me: “Listen, what can I play if I’m not into it at all?” I was a little taken aback at first. After all, we’re used to thinking that gaming culture is something for young people! But then I thought: why not? Times are changing, and maybe now is the best time to discover the world of virtual entertainment, even if you’re over fifty.

I remembered how I first picked up a joystick in my hands in my early childhood. Those emotions – goosebumps on my skin and glowing eyes – are still with me. Only now I understand that there is no age limit to experience similar excitement! My friend approached this issue consciously, with a calm mind, and together we decided to figure out where he could even start. We threw away all stereotypes, brewed a large pot of aromatic tea and began to sort through the options.

While searching I came across an interesting article https://fishki.net/4784899-igrajut-vse-forumy-gejmerov-kak-mnogoletnij-socialynyj-trend.html, where the authors talk about how the gaming community has long ceased to be a narrowly focused club "for their own." There, people of any age have every chance of finding a company with similar interests. This encouraged us: it means that my friend will not be a black sheep with a console or a computer in his hands.

Why did I even decide to help a fifty-something enter the world of gaming?

In short, because games aren't just pixels and buttons. They allow you to:

• Expand your horizons and keep your brain in good shape;
• Establish communication with children and grandchildren through joint gaming activities;
• Feel like part of a large, friendly community;
• Escape from routine and stress into safe virtual reality;
• And finally, discover new experiences and hobbies.

“Okay,” someone might say, “that’s all great, but what specific games might be suitable for a first acquaintance?” Since we are talking about a complete newcomer to the world of gaming, we decided to prioritize ease of entry, the absence of complex mechanics, and the opportunity to experience vivid emotions.

By the way, I remember how I tried to get my grandmother hooked on mobile games. It was a funny picture: she, engrossed in playing solitaire on her phone, kept saying: “Well, well! What a clever idea!” And I must say, she liked it! So, even a person far from computer technology can really get the gist of it and enjoy it. The main thing is to start with something simple, and then move on to more “tricked out” projects.

Where to start with video games after 50?

When we finally found a few suitable options, my friend turned on the "test mode" and said: "Come on, show me where the "start" button is, and let's see what kind of beast this is - your games!" And here I realized that I definitely need to take into account some points:

1. Hardware – don’t forget about the possibilities

First, you should decide on which device is more convenient to play. If you have a home computer or laptop, you can start with casual projects. They require a minimum of system resources and at the same time give a lot of emotions. If you want comfort and large buttons, a game console is a good option: connect it to the TV and go! For example, I have a friend who launched a simple arcade game on a big screen, and adult relatives were absolutely delighted!

Secondly, it would be nice to have a good internet connection. Many exciting games are located online, and some even require a constant connection. Therefore, if the connection leaves much to be desired, it is better to take care of this in advance.

In the first half of the article, we discussed why games can be interesting in adulthood and where it is best to start. Now let's dive a little deeper into the issue with me and see what genres there are and how to choose the ideal option to start.

Where to avoid getting lost in a sea of genres?

When I first learned that there are action games, RPGs, quests, strategies, simulators, clickers, puzzles and God knows what else, I felt like I had walked into the world's largest bookstore. My eyes were running wild! But it's important to understand that you don't need to rush into everything. You can choose the simplest genre - for example, a story-driven game with an emphasis on history or a light casual puzzle with beautiful music.

My friend and I had an impromptu dialogue on this topic:

– Do you like fishing?

- Well, how can I tell you, sitting on a pond is another matter, but virtually, I don’t even know...

- Don't worry, there are fishing simulators! But let's start with something even simpler, so as not to scare you off.

In the end, we chose several possible options. More on them later. But first, I want to share my opinion: the main trick is to choose a game that does not require learning hundreds of buttons. Roughly speaking, if you want simple mechanics, launch puzzles or some quiet quests with dialogues.

How to Find the Perfect First Game: My Top 5 Recommendations

Now that we're all warmed up and ready to get more specific, let me walk you through five steps to help you choose the right project.

1. Assess the level of technical proficiency. If a person is not very good with computers, it might be worth starting with mobile versions of games.
2. Choose a genre that is close to your spirit. If you like detectives, try a story quest; if you like light entertainment, look for an arcade.
3. Read reviews from other newbies. The Internet is full of forums where people share their first experiences.
4. Watch training videos. Sometimes it's much easier to understand the mechanics of a game if you look at a demo.
5. Don't be afraid to experiment. If you liked one game, great! If you didn't, then look for another one, it's not marriage.

Why shouldn't you tackle difficult things right away?

Following these simple steps, you can save a lot of time. And nerves, by the way, too. After all, if you immediately run into something overly complicated or online-oriented (where constant practice and skills are required), you can decide that “this is all not for me” and abandon the idea at the root. But there are a ton of games, and among them there will definitely be one that will appeal even to someone who has never touched a gamepad before.

Simple logic games for the first step

Personally, I can recommend starting with simple logic games, where there are a minimum of buttons and a maximum of fun. For example, classic puzzles "Three in a row" or "Sokoban"-like tasks. If you want something a little more fun and "cartoony", there is the good old Purple Place, where everything is elementary and cute. This is a great way to stretch your brain and get positive without unnecessary stress.

When it's time to move on to more serious projects

Later, when you feel that “there’s nothing scary here”, you can gradually try more serious offline projects. Let’s say someone at 45 enjoyed playing “The Witcher 3” – it’s a great example of a story-driven RPG where you immerse yourself in an interesting world, move along a fairy-tale map and make decisions on your own. Or “Cyberpunk”, if your soul is drawn to futuristics and dynamic gameplay (although the atmosphere is different there, and in some places you’ll have to tinker). And if you like classics and pixel aesthetics, you can remember the legendary “Fallout 1” or “Turok” – yes, they already look retro, but sometimes it’s this old-school quality that gives the game a special charm.

Online gaming – no yet?

Of course, there are also fans of shooters or competitive games. Some recommend Counter-Strike or Dota, where there are plenty of people ready to help a newbie get used to it. But personally, I would not recommend rushing online without preparation: it has its own atmosphere and its own requirements for reaction. It is easier to start with single-player action games like Far Cry 4 or Tom Clancy's The Division 2 - fight with computer opponents and choose a comfortable level of difficulty yourself. The same goes for sports simulators: if you want to cheer for virtual teams, try Need for Speed, Forza Horizon (especially if there is a steering wheel!) or simplified versions of football to first understand the basic controls.

Minecraft – Simplicity Without Limits

It is worth mentioning Minecraft separately – a game that captivates with its simplicity (cubes are everywhere!) and unlimited possibilities for creativity. There are no tough missions, which means no stress, but you can build whatever you want and at your own pace. A friend of mine in his fifties got so carried away with Minecraft that he almost built a whole copy of his dacha there!

Military tactics: "tanks" and "ships"

If you are inspired by war stories, many recommend "World of Tanks" or "World of Warships" (popularly - "tanks" and "ships"). Here the emphasis is on tactics and team play, and the community, they say, is quite loyal to beginners: there will always be an experienced "tanker" who will explain how to take the first steps. But I repeat: online is not to everyone's taste, so if you do not want to depend on other players, you can skip these projects for now.

Excitement and new acquaintances

What makes me happy in the end is when I see real excitement in a person who previously could not even imagine that he would be drawn into the virtual world! And he is drawn in - and that's cool. When you can discover something new at any age, feel "in the know", expand your boundaries and even find new friends with similar interests on the Internet - that's worth a lot.

Don't be afraid to try: age is no obstacle

So let's summarize: if you (or your friend, matchmaker, neighbor) have a desire to plunge into the world of video games, do not put it off for long. Download a light logic game on your smartphone, try a simple simulator on your computer, or decide on large projects with a chic plot. Try, observe your emotions, and do not be afraid if something does not work out right away.

Personally, I think the hardest barrier is in your head: “It’s too late at fifty…”, “This is fun for kids…”, “I’ll get confused with all these buttons…” – these are all excuses. Believe me, I saw how one of my 50+ year old friends learned to confidently drive a virtual car in “Forza Horizon”, and another one passed the story missions in “The Witcher 3” with flying colors. Age is not a hindrance here!

Let's sum it up

In general, as they say, live and learn. Or in our case, "live and play"! Why not?

Thank you for reading my story to the end. I hope it inspired you (or someone you know) to try something new in the world of video games. My advice is to go for it, because it’s never too late to discover a new hobby, have fun, and get a positive charge. Good luck with your attempts and bright emotions!