Wii're on a strike

The Sedgebrook Retirement Community in Chicago has begun organizing bowling tournaments. Nothing strange about that, expect the fact that the average Sedgebrook resident is 77 years old, and the bowling is done via Wii.

Initially, grandchildren taught the residents how to play and use the interface of the Wii. Several games are apparently played but none has proved as popular as the Wii bowling competition. It activates, creates genuine interaction and competition among residents and most importantly gets them off their chairs and into the modern world.

I don't care that much about processor- speeds or if the 60gb PS3 has a silver detail on the front. What I do care about is how interaction and play affects peoples ordinary lives, and especially so the demographics which were until now completely ingored by the gaming industry. It's not only heartwarming to hear about the Sedgebrook example, it's a significant example of technology playing a role in helping people smile.

Well done Nintendo, while everyone else is focusing on realistic graphics in a virtual world, you managed to create happiness in the real world.