Everybody loves reading statistics. Numbers that tell you so much, like how many people use Internet Explorer, and their average IQ is lower than users of other browsers! By the way, that survey was a hoax. One set of statistics that amuses me is that from the ESA (Entertainment Software Association). Keeping in mind that the information is primarily for the USA market, it does however have several interesting points.
"5. The average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 41 years old."
"10. Parents are present when games are purchased or rented 91 percent of the time."
I am guessing little Timmy doesn't have a full time or even part time job to finance his game purchases and depends on bank of Mum and Dad (hey, I have been through this phase). Also, it has been widely known that if a game is rated M+, parents are there to "supervise" the purchase, ie. buy it then give it to their kids to play.
"4. The average game player is 37 years old and has been playing games for 12 years."
"7. In 2011, 29 percent of Americans over the age of 50 play video games, an increase from nine percent in 1999."
I really am surprised by the statement that the median age of gamers is 37. I am 36 and have been playing for 30 years. I would think that people from my generation are one of the "early adopters" of video gaming, as I have mentioned that video games wasn't a big pastime activity for people born before the 1980s. The ESA stats are too ambiguous, as it appears to lump anyone who plays a game, whether it be something on a mobile phone or on consoles or PC. And in the PC market, there are games played through social media like Farmville or Restaurant City on Facebook.
One very important piece of information the ESA does not provide is the average number of hours spent playing games in a week. Then the information should be further broken down to age and gender demographics. If someone plays games only on his or her mobile, and only for at most 3 hours per week, should that person be considered a gamer? Would someone who only plays Angry Birds call himself a gamer? If you asked your mum and dad to pick up that Wii controller for some Wii Sports action, would that instantly make them gamers?
"7. In 2011, 29 percent of Americans over the age of 50 play video games, an increase from nine percent in 1999."
I really am surprised by the statement that the median age of gamers is 37. I am 36 and have been playing for 30 years. I would think that people from my generation are one of the "early adopters" of video gaming, as I have mentioned that video games wasn't a big pastime activity for people born before the 1980s. The ESA stats are too ambiguous, as it appears to lump anyone who plays a game, whether it be something on a mobile phone or on consoles or PC. And in the PC market, there are games played through social media like Farmville or Restaurant City on Facebook.
One very important piece of information the ESA does not provide is the average number of hours spent playing games in a week. Then the information should be further broken down to age and gender demographics. If someone plays games only on his or her mobile, and only for at most 3 hours per week, should that person be considered a gamer? Would someone who only plays Angry Birds call himself a gamer? If you asked your mum and dad to pick up that Wii controller for some Wii Sports action, would that instantly make them gamers?
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