Since the 1980s, video games have been a part of the average American family’s life. In fact, according to a 2017 study, 63 percent of households in the U.S. have at least one person who spends time each week playing video games.
“There was a time when video games were considered something for just the nerdy kids, but that is hardly the case anymore. Now, people of all ages and from all walks of life are gamers. Whether someone is trying to get to the next level of Candy Crush or scheduling a time to meet up with their friends online to play Call of Duty, the general public is obsessed with gaming,” says Zach Martin, Digital Services Coordinator for the Marshall County Public Library and self-professed gamer.
While gamers were once tethered to their television via a corded controller, modern games allow for more flexibility. Computers, tablets and phones are now among the most popular gaming devices. Yet, many gamers feel nostalgic for the old days when their gaming systems sported some attractive woodgrain stickers and required clunky cartridges to operate.
“The average gamer is 35 years old, and 26 percent of gamers are at least 50 years old,” says Martin. “Nostalgia for the old games is a big thing for them.”
The Marshall County Public Library plans to fuel this nostalgia with its first-ever Retro Game Night beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the Benton branch. A Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Atari will all be on hand, as well as many popular games from gaming’s initial golden age. The program is open to gamers of all ages.