Agnes, the TikTok personality known to millions as Epic Gamer Grandma, has died at the age of 78. Across TikTok and other social video media, older gamers are gaining attention and gaining large followings, and Epic Gamer Grandma reflected a wider shift in society. As the industry ages, so do the people who grew up playing games. Older players are no longer extreme; they are starting to form a core part of the player base. And some of them also become influencers.
What started as casual gaming clips for her family soon turned into a global audience that regularly watched Epic Gamer Grandma play games in a variety of genres. The content creator amassed over 2.4 million followers on TikTok and nearly 860,000 on Instagram, attracting viewers who appreciated her enthusiasm and clear enjoyment of video games. Fans saw her play a range of titles, from epic RPGs like Skyrim to Minecraft and Phasmophobia.
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Agnes, known as Epic Gamer Grandma, has passed away
In the months before her death, Agnes' health declined sharply due to chronic illness and complications from a severe stroke, information her family openly shared with her community. After being hospitalized in October, Epic Gamer Grandma never fully recovered and on December 21, her granddaughter, Culsans, told us that she had died while holding the hand of her daughter, Pauline. On her social media accounts, fans are saying goodbye to Epic Gamer Grandma, honoring her legacy and thanking her for the hours of joy she brought to her viewers.
Agnes wasn't the only senior player to reach viral status and gain a large following, and her success highlights a growing trend of older creators thriving on social media. Many know Shirley “Skyrim Grandma” Curry, who built a dedicated following of over 1.3 million subscribers while playing The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim for over a decade. Curry retired from manufacturing Skyrim videos in September, stating that she was no longer having fun. Earlier, she had shared that she felt exhausted from running her YouTube channel and would like to devote time to other hobbies.
GrndpaGaming is another senior content creator who has gained 2.5 million followers on TikTok and 1.4 million on YouTube. The Vietnam veteran, a former US Navy diver, also acquired some impressive sharpshooting skills, which he regularly displays when playing games such as Fortnite, Battlefield, Warhammer 40K Space Marineand PUBG. His clips regularly attract viewers who are fascinated by both his real-life experiences and digital gaming skills.
There's even an international example in the form of Hamako Mori, now retired, who earned the Guinness World Records title of oldest gaming YouTuber in the world when she turned 90 in 2020. The Japanese gamer has been playing video games since 1981, getting her start on the Cassette Vision console and even participating in e-sports. Prior to his retirement, Mori enjoyed titles such as GTA 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest.
