Shaky hands, accidental double-clicks, difficulty placing a cursor, repeated key presses, vision changes, tinnitus, muscle weakness and anxiety are among the challenges described in an excerpt from a CNET article about gaming and age. They are one author’s experience—not a checklist of what happens to every player, or proof that age caused each change. The practical takeaway is to adapt the game, controls or pace to what works for you, rather than assume you have to stop playing or switch to a particular genre.
What changed for the CNET author—and what is not established
A LinkedIn post by occupational therapist Kaitlyn Jones points to a CNET article with this topic. The available excerpt describes a twitchy forefinger and shaky hands, accidental double-clicks, trouble placing the cursor, repeated key presses, vision degradation, tinnitus, muscle weakness and anxiety. The original CNET article could not be accessed, so the excerpt does not establish what adjustments the author ultimately made.
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Those details are useful as examples of how familiar controls can become frustrating. They do not show how common any one change is, whether it was caused by age, or whether other players will have the same experience. This is one person’s account, not a diagnosis or a universal aging story.
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Getting older does not dictate what you play
Older players’ interests are varied. Northeastern University News reported in June 2026 that, according to an AARP 2023 report, 45% of gamers aged 50 and older played daily, 78% cited staying mentally sharp as a major reason for playing, and 69% said they did not feel games were designed with them in mind. These figures are reported secondhand by Northeastern; they do not mean every older player has the same motivation or experience.
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The same Northeastern article describes a 60-year-old game developer who still enjoys fast-paced first-person shooters, while saying her reflexes are not what they used to be. Players may value enjoyment, social connection, relaxation or mental challenge, and those preferences can coexist with changes in how they play. As Northeastern associate professor Leanne Chukoskie put it, “We should have never bought into the [idea that] you’re an adult and now you’re serious and you shouldn’t play anymore,”
Choose what to adjust based on the friction
When a game becomes harder to control, it can help to identify the specific task that is getting in the way: aiming, repeated button presses, reading small text, remembering where to go, or keeping up with a fast pace. Then look for an adjustment that addresses that task. No input method or genre is automatically best for older players.
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| What feels difficult | What to compare | Trade-off to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Precise aiming, clicking or repeated key presses | Touchscreen, keyboard and mouse, or a controller | A touchscreen may reduce reliance on a mouse but can bring its own precision demands. A Windows Central writer described tactile controller ergonomics as preferable to touchscreen controls; that is personal preference, not evidence that a controller is a treatment or will suit everyone. |
| Keeping up with combat or timed actions | Game pace, difficulty options and timing settings | Adjustable difficulty may reduce the pressure of a demanding sequence, though options differ from game to game. |
| Remembering locations or routes | Map markers, navigation aids and ways to record progress | Navigation support can reduce the need to remember where you have been, but its usefulness depends on the game. |
| Finding time or motivation to play | Session length, play schedule and the kinds of games you enjoy | A short session or a different genre is an option, not a requirement; older players also enjoy fast-paced games. |
Look for settings that solve a specific problem
Adjust difficulty and timing
Microsoft Game Dev’s March 2025 account of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown describes fine-grained difficulty customization, including adjustment of parry timing. If a narrow timing window is the obstacle, a setting like this can make that task more manageable without requiring a player to abandon the game. The example is specific to that title; available settings can vary by edition and update.
Use navigation aids when remembering locations is the hard part
The same account describes Memory Shards, which let players pin screenshots to the map. That can help keep track of locations or points of interest. It is an example of a game feature, not a claim that every game includes an equivalent tool.
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Try a different input only if it helps you
Keyboard and mouse, touchscreen and controller all ask for different movements and precision. A Windows Central writer favored the feel of a full controller over touch controls, but that report reflects one person’s preference. The sources here do not test any device as a remedy for shaky hands, weakness or other health concerns. If you can, try the control scheme in a low-pressure setting and keep the one that makes play more comfortable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Games can help people learn devices, but the evidence is narrow
A study by Sabrina Oppl and Christian Stary, published online in 2018 and describing work conducted in 2017, examined facilitated tablet-game sessions for older adults with little or no prior experience of interactive digital media. At interviews three months after the sessions, 16 of 20 participants reported that their handling of digital devices had improved. This was a self-report from a small volunteer sample, not an objective clinical measure.
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The authors also noted that the study did not compare game-based learning with other ways of learning, and that volunteers may have been more willing than average to adopt technology. They cautioned that the findings’ external validity was limited. The result offers narrow context about learning touchscreen devices; it does not show that games prevent decline, improve health, or solve the control difficulties described in the CNET excerpt.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Officially licensed by Xbox, and compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One & Windows 10 and above.
- Designed for accessibility - unified face-button layout, featuring lower-resistance buttons and highly sensitive joysticks.
- 2.4G wireless connection for Xbox and Windows.
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- 3 profiles. 3.5mm audio jack. Microphone mute button. Hall Effect joysticks.
A practical way to keep playing
- Name the obstacle. Is the problem precision, repeated inputs, timing, visibility, navigation or the amount of time a session takes?
- Check the game first. Look for control remapping, difficulty and timing settings, and navigation aids that match that obstacle.
- Compare input methods. If the game supports it, try touchscreen, keyboard and mouse, or a controller; choose by comfort and control, not age-based assumptions.
- Keep your preferences in the decision. If you like fast-paced games, do not assume you need to replace them with puzzles. Consider whether settings or a different control scheme make them more enjoyable.
- Reassess as needed. What works can depend on the game and the task. Changing a setting or control method is a practical adjustment, not a test of whether you still belong in gaming.
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