Old people are increasingly playing games on PCs and on the Net. They are more likely to have played games online than any other age group, including youngsters aged between 15 and 24, according to an NOP survey commissioned by Intel. Twenty eight per cent of people playing games on the Net were were aged 65 and over, with many participating as a means of improving concentration. But 38 per cent of home PC owners in the UK have never played a game on their machines, perhaps preferring to do bean counting or word processing. One compelling reason for PCs is email, the survey reveals, with most people using the software to stay in touch with their nearest and dearest. An overwhelming majority of people said they get more up to date news from the Internet. But only 37 per cent of the 1,000 people surveyed believed a computer was a good tool to organise their homes. Intel has a challenge on its hands in turning PCs into the centre of the family home life. ®