Seniors in Chicago are Wii crazy
by David Hinkle 
{ Feb 20th 2007 at 5:25PM }
It's been awhile since we've heard anything else on Nintendo's continued effort to lure in that elusive 'gray gamer.' Well, a recent article in the Chicago Tribune tells of an older community where the Wii has taken everyone's interest hostage and threatens to never let it go. Seriously, it has a gun ... and it knows how to use it.The community, which is the Sedgebrook retirement community in Lincolnshire, has an average age of 77 and according to this article, is bringing a bit of youth back to the lives of these senior citizens. Turns out, Wii Sports: Bowling is like a drug to these folk; they can't get enough and we assume if someone threatens them with taking the game away, that individual will face death (no doubt they'll run that individual over very slowly) . One resident backs up our claims of addiction, stating "I've never been into video games." Flora Dierbach, who is a young 72 years old, goes on to say "But this is addictive."
Have any of your grandparents or parents been caught up in Wii fever?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matthew @ Feb 20th 2007 5:42PM
After my Mom worked so hard to find a Wii for me for my annual christmas trip to their house (in Las Vegas), I hooked it up and we played a little each day while we were there. Just two weeks ago, my Dad (64) purchased one for my Mom (63). My mom regularly beats up my dad in Wii boxing, and it's her favorite of the bunch. I'm dreading having to face her come July when we bring our Wiis to my sister's house - I'm going to have to start training soon! Anyway, they love it and have rarely ventured into games - just a few for the PC like Tetris and other puzzle games.
-m.
Sloppywillis @ Feb 20th 2007 5:42PM
my grandparents are dead. jerk.
Jay @ Feb 20th 2007 7:00PM
I saw that report on the new (I live in Chicago btw) the other night and I've noticed one thing....EVERY time I see the Wii in the media (news reports, Conan, etc.) there is always at least ONE person not wearing the strap.
ElectronicTalking @ Feb 20th 2007 7:05PM
I got my 92 year old great gran bowling at christmas ^_^.
Ricky @ Feb 20th 2007 7:13PM
Wii Sports was a huge success when I took it home with my projector to Phoenix this Christmas. Everyone enjoyed bowling the best. My grandma did not play cause she did not want to stand up but she sure did know how to tell people what to do. My family always asks about the Wii as well and tells me how they show off to the kids they work with by knowing so much about the system.
xdrewfacex @ Feb 21st 2007 11:11AM
I actually work for the company that owns Sedgebrook as an IT Onsite Support intern (Erickson Retirement Communities is the company, by the way). The community I work at is in Silver Spring, MD, but I was aware that Sedgebrook had a Wii for its residents. They got them one as part of a Christmas program they ran up there where they asked residents what sort of things they'd like for the community, and someone mentioned the Wii. The Onsite manager there got to "test extensively" the Wii once he got it set up, and even organized a golf and tennis tournament for the residents.
The rest of the Onsite Support team had fun giving him a hard time about all his "hard work" put into this...
Zach @ Mar 6th 2007 1:40PM
I found the video from this event. It looks like they are having a great time. Looks like I need some more practice before I go to Sedgebrook haha. Check it out:
http://www.erickson.com/ericksonvideogallery/evlPlayerver5.asp?videoname=sportsActivitiesStreaming&var2=7