The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Gamer gran, 75, is global Fortnite hit
AMoray gran has captured the attention of gamers across the world after playing Fortnite with a popular streamer.
Cath Bowie, 75, started playing the online video game when it was released almost seven years ago.
She discovered it through her grandson, now 24, who played with her on his PlayStation in 2017.
Cath, known online as Grumpygran1948, said: “It’s something I was immediately interested in.
“It’s just a coincidence I walked in when he was playing it that day.
“The following year, I bought my own PS4 and it’s just history after that.
“I don’t call myself a gamer, I say I’m a Fortniter. I’ve got a busy life so I concentrate on one game.”
Cath revealed she got “fed up” playing by herself and decided to start using interactive livestreaming service Twitch.
She streams for about five hours every evening from her north-east home, where she lives with her husband.
Cath added: “I thought I would find someone nice to play with.
“My grandson said ‘You shouldn’t do that, nobody will watch’, so I thought ‘I will prove you wrong’.
“I spend a lot of hours playing, mostly in the evenings while my husband sits on the computer. I could go on and on playing.”
The pensioner said her profile went from “strength to strength” after playing with YouTuber and Twitch
streamer SypherPK – and singing him a rendition of Ye Cannae Shove Yer Granny Aff A Bus.
The American, who has more than 15 million subscribers across both platforms, uploaded footage at the weekend showing him playing with Cath, describing it as “one of my favourite videos I’ve recorded”.
The clip has since had more than 670,000 views on YouTube.
Cath said: “Most young folk couldn’t believe he chose me but you don’t need to be young to be happy at gaming.
“It’s a challenge at my age but I want to show at 75 you can do it.
“People are often surprised that I can play
and get eliminations and solo wins.”
Grumpygran1948 now has more than 9,000 Twitch followers, with thousands tuning in each night.
She said: “It can be a toxic arena so I had to learn how to safeguard myself.
“The best bit is interacting with others and recognising them when they come back.”