Interview: The ladies of TheGrayGamers.com

Jan and Pam, the Canadian twins that run The Gray Gamers

Gamesville is enjoyed by both young and old. Today we're talking with Pam and Jan, the twin sisters who run The Gray Gamers, a blog dedicated to gamers who may be up in age, but remain young at heart. 

Gamesville: We love the Gray Gamers blog. What are your goals for it?
Pam: To the game industry, we want to say, "Hi! We're here, we play, we buy."

Jan:  To create a place for gray gamers to hang out, exchange ideas and hints–a safe social network.

What topics are you covering that are unique to gray gamers?
Pam: Some research indicates gray gamers get flack from peers for "wasting time". More research has shown adult brains and bodies respond just fine to playing. So, we'll cover anything which helps adults find their game muse.

Jan:  It depends on what gray gamers have to say to us.  At this point we are kind of flying by the seat of our XL pants.
 
How has the response been to the blog so far?
Jan: People seem quite tickled by the concept. Now if we could just get them to comment… Their opinion matters!

Pam: My friends at Cre8d-design, and other friends from 20-somethings to 80-somethings, have reviewed the site for us, and we're getting the kind of feedback we hoped for: fun, functional, readable, informative.

How is a gray gamer different than younger generations of gamers?
Jan: We get up earlier, we have creaky joints and bunions and other delightful old-age ailments, we have grandkids and we don't like to be told what to do. Oh– that last part applies to younger gamers too.

Pam: I wonder how much more we older players have bought into the idea games are simply escapist fantasy. Games and game play are so much more. There are times I'm introverted and want to relax or self-challenge, there are times I want good story lines and inventive environments, and there are times I want to play with others, explore genres and kick butt. I want affordable and varied fun.
 
What games do you see that uniquely appeal to gray gamers?
Pam: The research in this field is relatively recent. I know Jan and I share games we we both like, and our interests also diverge. Again, I think the industry does itself a disservice if it assumes older players are going to gravitate to certain genres.
 
Jan: Once again my distinguished sibling is analyzing the market. My thinking is that we will play what interests us and I don't see it as being much different than games younger individuals enjoy. I suspect though, that hardcore games might not be our first choice. 

Has gaming always been a passion or is your interest in games more recent?

Jan: The first computer generated my passion for games. I like my own company and the first game I found was free cell, which has held my interest to this day. Now I see games as part of my lifestyle– Wii, DS, computer. I can no longer read or knit which is something that I used to do. Games have taken the place of those previous past times nicely.

Pam: I was a workaholic, when I wound up on medical disability and got a personal computer, I learned how to find my way online and navigate by playing. I was active in sports when I was younger, and skied in my dreams years after I could no longer hit the slopes. I'm a more recent convert to playing. Gamesville was my first log in!
 
What kind of games do you play? Web-based? PC? Console?

Pam: PC for sure. If I'm going to pay for an internet connection, I'm going to have fun! Web-based definitely, but I admit I've not tried MMORGP's or MMORTS or MMORFPS. Gamesville has been part of my life since 1999 and I remain fond of your site.
 
Jan: I like various game sites, Hoyle games, any Wii game that lets me use my Mii's because all my grandkids are on it. I am new to the DS, which has turned out to be quite a fun little portable bus ride kind of gaming system.
 
What games are you currently playing?
Jan: If Wii fit can be called a game that is one of my favorites, so is Wii golf.  On the DS it's Trauma Centre Under the Knife and Brain Age.  On the computer it's Frantic Fish and Free Cell or various solitaire games.  Jewel Quest solitaire is fun, I've been through it several times.

Pam: I've headed over to Jan's between blizzards twice this past month to try the Wii fit and clean her clock in snowboarding, laser hockey, badminton and beach volleyball. She cleaned my clock in everything else.
 
What are your Gamesville member names?
Jan: Cricket146

Pam: Thumper146

What are you favorite Gamesville games (now, or from way back)?
Pam: Three-Eyed Bingo, Hot Streak Solitaire, and Pool.

Jan: Frantic Fish and Magic 21!

Thank you both very much for the great conversation! Head on over to The Gray Gamers to check out their fantastic new blog, and a featured interview with Gamesville's own Chris Cummings!