It's not always easy for gamers to picture their grandparents playing the likes of Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto. With the exception of Skyrim Grandma (aka Shirley Curry), whose YouTube channel has made her a star in the Let's Play community despite being in her 80s, most people tend to see video games as a young person's pursuit. However, one grandmother is using the Xbox Series X to connect with her own family members during lockdown.
According to a recent report, a grandmother from Bolton, England called Mary received an Xbox Series X so she could play Minecraft with her grandson Jason, who has been teaching her how to use the controller and voice chat. However, rather than just playing games with each other, both Mary and Jason have seen this as an opportunity to learn about each other. Jason, who lives several hours away from his grandma, has learned a lot about her life so far.
Likewise, Mary has learned a great deal about the ever-expanding universe that is modern video gaming. So far, she has got to grips with the likes of Forza Horizon 4 and has been on swashbuckling adventures in Sea of Thieves. As well as being a means for the two to bond, it's also been a way for Mary to keep isolation loneliness at bay as the UK still experiences lockdown due to Covid-19. The trailer below is Mary and Jason's touching PSA about how gaming can ease the pain of loneliness.
It's no secret that the COVID pandemic has hit the planet hard. Despite companies such as Microsoft offering up its headquarters as a vaccination site, the reality of how tough things have been is still being felt on a global scale. This heartwarming story of Mary and Jason is just one of many examples of the ways in which the Xbox Series X and video games in general help to bring people together while the world recovers.
It also offers up proof that it's never too late to begin playing games. With Xbox itself attempting to bridge the generation gap by encouraging young and old people to play, there is never a better time for people to get onboard with gaming even if they feel they've missed the window. The likes of Shirley Curry and the newfound bond between Mary and her grandson should serve as a sweet reminder that video games is not always a solitary passion for youngsters. It can offer a unique way for different generations to stay in touch and to have fun at the same time.