A Scottish grandmother who live streams playing video games has said it was “love at first sight” when she was introduced to Fortnite.
Cath Bowie, 76, enjoyed playing games like Mario Kart, FIFA and Minecraft with her two grandchildren for years before her grandson, Lewis, 24, got her “hooked” on Fortnite.
The survival game has a number of different modes, including where players fight off zombie-like creatures and defend objects with traps and fortifications.
Ms Bowie, from Moray, soon set up her own Twitch account under gamertag Grumpygran1948 and has amassed almost 20,000 followers.
After playing Fortnite for seven years, Ms Bowie said: “I just went into my grandson’s bedroom, where he was playing with his PS4 and I saw Fortnite.
“I didn’t know, obviously, what it was at that time, he had to explain he was playing it, and people speak of love at first sight. Well, it truthfully was for me.
“I was absolutely fascinated with it, so that was one of the days that, you know, when I’m old I’ll reminisce about my Fortnite game. That’s one day I will never forget.”
Pic: PA
She played Fortnite on her grandson’s account “every opportunity” she got, before buying her own PS4 and making her own account.
She eventually decided to begin live streaming, in which she broadcasts the gameplay and her own live commentary on the online streaming platform Twitch.
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“My grandson finds it all rather amusing actually, not so much that I play but that I actually stream it,” Ms Bowie said.
Ms Bowie mostly plays the game with other people from around the world and has established a community in which she has made friends, and followers have made connections with each other.
“My community is absolutely fantastic. It really is constant chat and everybody being so friendly with each other. Apart from my husband, it’s my life,” she said.
“The thing that I really like is, some folk have really very bad days in their life. Some folk are not very well, maybe have got some issues, and there is always somebody there to support them.”
Ms Bowie said she was surprised at the “toxicity” she initially encountered on the platform, but now has several people who “protect” her and moderate content to ensure the community remains a pleasant place.
On advice to potential older gamers, Ms Bowie said: “Just go for it. Forget about your age. Just go for it and enjoy yourself. Look at the enjoyment I’ve had.”
As a result of her gaming, she has partnered with Ikea for its Brannboll collection, a range of gaming room furniture.