87-Year-Old Masako Wakamiya, Developer of Senior-Friendly Games, Proves It’s Never Too Late

Masako Wakamiya, an inspiring octogenarian, is defying age-related stereotypes by creating apps and video games designed specifically for elderly individuals. At 87 years old, she stands as a testament to the notion that age is just a number. Her incredible journey into the world of coding and game development began when she was 82, and within a year, she launched her first game called “Hinadan,” a doll’s game tailored for seniors.

This remarkable story of resilience and innovation has been widely celebrated on the Instagram page Goodnews Movement. At 81, Masako Wakamiya initiated her journey by creating Hinadan, an app rooted in traditional Japanese culture known as Girls’ Day. In the game, players must arrange a series of dolls in a specific order while guided by ‘beeps’ of either approval or disapproval. Her ongoing commitment to creating apps and games for her generation is driven by the desire to keep their minds sharp.

Wakamiya’s foray into the digital world came later in life when she acquired her first computer at the age of 60, following 43 years of service in the banking industry. Today, she operates an endearing website brimming with Excel art tutorials and other user guides tailored to senior computer users.

Her remarkable story has resonated with thousands of people, garnering nearly 21,000 likes and numerous comments since it was shared on Instagram. Users were quick to express their admiration and motivation.

“Shows it’s never too late to learn something new,” exclaimed one Instagram user. Another shared, “I got my first computer at 40 and always thought I was a real late bloomer. Huge respect to this lady.” A third user mentioned, “I love the Hinadan game and have been using it for a couple of years. Now I know who she is! Thank you for sharing!” The general sentiment was summed up by a fourth user, stating, “That’s awesome.”

Hinadan, Wakamiya’s debut game, was released when she was 82 years old, just one year after she began her coding journey. The game, available on the App Store, is described as a “doll game for the elderly and people interested in Japanese traditional culture.”

Reflecting on her journey, Wakamiya shared, “I’ve been considered a positive person and have been doing what I like even after I’ve aged. Some people deny the reality of aging, but it’s like competing against a setting sun, and I find it tiring.” She added that she would “rather set with the sun and enjoy the sunset” instead of fighting.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindustan Times