Agnes, the TikTok personality known to millions as Epic Gamer Grandma, has died at the age of 78. Across TikTok and other video social media, older gamers are garnering attention and gaining large followings. Epic Gamer Grandma reflected a broader shift in gaming communities. As the gaming industry ages, so too are the people who grew up playing games. Older gamers are no longer outliers; they’re beginning to form a core part of the player base. And many of them are also becoming influencers.
What started as casual gaming clips for her family soon turned into a global audience tuning in regularly to watch Epic Gamer Grandma enjoy a variety of genres. The content creator amassed over 2.4 million followers on TikTok and nearly 860,000 on Instagram, drawing attention for her enthusiasm and clear enjoyment of video games. Fans tuned in to watch her play a gamut 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 preceding her death, Agnes’ health declined sharply due to chronic illness and complications from a major stroke, info which her family openly shared with her community. After being hospitalized in October, Epic Gamer Grandma never fully recovered, and on December 21, her grandson, Culsans, shared 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 gamer to reach viral status and gain a large following, and her success highlights a growing trend of older creators flourishing on social media. Many people are familiar with 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 making Skyrim videos in September, stating that she was no longer having fun. Previously, she had stated that she felt exhausted running her YouTube channel and would like to spend time pursuing other hobbies.
GrndpaGaming is another senior content creator who has gained 2.5 million followers on TikTok and 1.4 million on YouTube. A former US Navy diver, the Vietnam veteran also gained some impressive sharpshooting skills, which he regularly shows off while playing games like Fortnite, Battlefield, Warhammer 40K Space Marine, and PUBG. His clips regularly draw viewers fascinated by both his real-life experiences and digital gaming prowess.
There are even international examples in the form of Hamako Mori, now retired, who earned the Guiness 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 participated in esports. Before retiring, Mori played games like GTA 5, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest.