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Adults Love Video Games
flabbybuns writes "For those of you who feel you may waste too much time behind a controller fret no longer. According to a recent report on adult gamer statistics, it turns out that the adults are more hardcore about gaming than the kids are. "
I'm WAY better at Unreal Tournament 2004 than my five year old.
It was a joke! When you give me that look it was a joke.
God Mode + FPS = Stress Relief
Every time I do a report on computer or console video games I wonder if I am targeting the correct market. I personally have been known to get addicted to a computer game here and there-- *cough* Unreal Tournament, Counter Strike, Halo 2 --and admit that I have been upset with myself many a time for wasting too many hours behind a controller or mouse. Heck, at one point I think I pulled in twenty-four hours in a two week period for Counter Strike; or was it Unreal Tournament?
Anywho, based on the latest survey it now looks like it is the adults, not the kids, who are more likely to be found behind a joystick.
Adults are Gamers
According to a report by the Consumer Electronics Association, about one-third of adult gamers spend ten hours or more playing video games per week. Compared to only eleven percent of teens, some have to wonder where we find the time.
The Consumer Electronics Association finds the statistics startling while the people working on PS3 rejoice. According to the report put out by the CEA, adults will purchase 19 million of the next-generation consoles in the first year.
"The fact that adults are racking up more gaming hours than teens is startling, but there are several associated findings that shed light on this," said CEA's Senior Manager, Industry Analysis Steve Koenig. "Interestingly, a greater percentage of 12-14 year olds spend time gaming than older teens ages 15-17. Older teens simply may not have the free time for extra hours of gaming or they could be gaming on wireless handsets since 81 percent of teens own or use a wireless phone."
Through the new study, CEA also investigated gaming platform ownership and behaviors and found the data revealed the PC dominates the adult game market while teens spend more time using game consoles. For households owning a PC and a console, 58 percent consider the console to be their primary gaming platform despite its lower engagement. Additionally, the study showed portable gaming to be decidedly more popular with teens than adults. Only 25 percent of adult gamers who own a portable game device have used it in the past six months compared to 77 percent of teens.
Additional adult vs. teen behavioral differences emerge in the study when online game play is evaluated. The majority (64 percent) of adult gamers either mostly or always play console games by themselves and just over half (55 percent) play online. Conversely, teens are five times as likely to engage in multiplayer gaming with their consoles, especially teenage girls - an unexpected result. Teens also are much more likely to game online, but here males outnumber females - some 78 percent of teen male's game online in a given month compared to 58 percent of teen females.
The survey results also suggest female gamers outnumber male gamers in the 25-34 age category. This result stems from high rates of play of online games, many of which are free of charge (i.e. Yahoo! Games), among female gamers. The 25-34 age group also comprises the largest concentration among overall female gamers (29 percent).
In a promising trend for consumer electronics (CE) retailers, CEA found that some adult gamers purchase additional CE products specifically to enhanc
I'm so sick and tired of TV and the media in general making out that games are just for kids. With the level of technology games currently have and the sheer joyful fun you can have with them, and the fact that this survey proves a lot of adults know this already it's about time the world at large accepted it.
Ya it is quite disturbing when you have this nice image of this girl char who is very nice in game then you get in on a vent channel and they sound like a 70 yr old smoker, who you then later find out its a 60 year old... damn retirement.
I find that the hangovers from games are much less severe than the drug/substance hangovers I used to get in college.
Adults have more money to spend on it. Not only that, but adults are the ones telling the kids to get outside and cut the grass, take out the trash, clean their rooms, etc... while they keep playing World of Warcraft themselves!
Hexy - a strategy game for iPhone/iPod Touch
I've been gaming since 1980 and will put the smackdown on any kids including my own :) Of course when I'm old, senile and can't wipe my own *ss, I probably won't be so good. But growing up with the classics that actually depended on good gameplay versus graphics makes one a better gamer.
gasmonso
75% of adult gamers act like teens.
Whilst many people may use the "Adults have to work, kids don't" may I remind people that: . Adults have more disposable income than children, moreso if they're single. . Generally, Adults have stopped learning (unless you go to university), and thus, they have more time to game and less to study (as high school is a frantic time) . Adults have all resources available to buy these controversial games (GTA:SA uncensored, all new violent games) whilst children have to pirate or illegally obtain these new games to play them. I would have thought it was pretty obvious.
Kids can't possibly understand the subtle complexities of Pong.
I think the average age of an adult has increased significantly. What's the definition of "adult"?
Is someone who's 25 but does nothing but go to work, then game until sleeping 5 days a week count as an adult? If they haven't changed their habits since they were in school then gaming til bedtime I'd be hesitant to call them an adult. Agewise, they're an adult, but something's missing...
Two fish swim into a wall, one turns to the other and says, "Dam".
From TFA ...about one-third of adult gamers spend ten hours or more playing video games per week. Compared to only eleven percent of teens, some have to wonder where we find the time.
I find it hard to believe there are more adults playing long hours of video games than teens. Compare that to a recent poll by Gamefaqs about their users age.
Admittedly, that is only a poll showing the age of the people using that site, but it seems to be a fairly accurate representation of the age demographics of video game players.
well, DUH.
The first batch of kids in history to grow up playing videogames are now adults with the money to afford today's largely exorbitant game prices, and the age to be able to play games rated as violent/sexy/socially unredeeming as they want to.
Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
Duh!
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
25 percent adults playing portables vs 75? percent teens
- Adults are busying doing something like WORK or driving home so it's hard to play games then. Once they get home, they have their entertainment system, so there's no use playing on something with a tiny screen vs the console hooked into the big screen tv, or even the computer. Teens on the other hand are the ones in the back seat playing their games (hey, I did that with my game boy way back when.) Those 25% adults are either commuting by train and/or really love Nintendogs.
Teen guys mostly play online - Say it ain't so. Who doesn't love talking smack to a potentially international audience.
Teen girls (surprisingly) mostly play multiplayer - Not really surprising; this is why there's a Mario Party *7*.
0- Eamonman Proud member of DNRC
I'm part of a clan (www.ofclan.net) that is made up of only people over 30, we have members approaching 60. We play Enemy Territory, many play for several hours daily (the retired members can put in lots of time) and our main server is full every night of the week.
On April 1 we celebrate our first anniversary as a clan, our clan is non-skills based and is purely for the social aspect of the game. It is the social aspect that keeps the members coming back.
It is quite surprising how many older players there are, our server attracts them more since we announce we're the "Old Farts" in the server name, we have many of the players on TeamSpeak when they're playing and it is a great time.
One of the nice things about our servers is we don't allow swearing in the game chat (you can however swear your heart out on our TS server). We do this because many of the members have kids who play with us on the servers or have kids who watch them play.
We also have attempted to make the servers player friendly for newbs and those of all skill levels by limiting abilities.
I keep hoping that some day the mainstream groupthink will come to realize that video games are no more immature a pasttime than watching television. The average American has no problem sitting in front of a TV for two hours a night, yet the same people act as if there's something wrong with an adult gaming for the same length of time.
He watches TV, she plays bridge with her friends, they read books, I play games. What's the big deal?
120 characters for a sig? That's bloody useless.
In the tween/early teen years, men spend less time trying to impress women, and more time following "other" pursuits, which video games definitely fall into. From ages 15-25, we spend most of our time trying to impress women, which leaves less time for videogames, sports and other pursuits.
After that, we have long term girlfriends and wives, so pursuing other women will only get us into trouble. Instead, we revert back and pursue "other" interests... videogames, sports etc.
I'm going to have to disagree with that statement.
While I do love Chess (And everyone and their brother should learn to play Go.) I really don't see the intrinsic intellectual value of Sudoku. Sudoku is quite similar to the children's game with the various shaped pegs that you have to fit into the corresponding holes on a board. It can be challenging, but ultimately it comes down to a process of elimination and time will solve just about any problem as long as you keep track of what you've tried.
I'll grant that your average FPS, MMORPG, and Platform game do almost nothing to improve your intellect and really they only improve response times. There is something to be said for a good quality RTS, Turn based strategy game, or the all but dead adventure game which forces you to think critically. And to a lesser extent even the classic "falling object puzzle" games. Certainly far more than watching movies and television.
Like any and all hobbies, moderation is the key.
With the first link, the chain is forged.
A big reason why adults are more hardcore gammers may be because they don't (typicaly) live with their parents like kids do. They don't have Moms and Dads bugging them to go outside to play and getting them into sports programs. Parents are in charge of the house's TV so if they want video games on it they can make it happen as opposed to kids who have to get their game time in when their parents arent using the tube. Likewise with the family computer.
One might say, in responce, that the wife (or husband) might serve as a limiting factor towards gaming for adults. One thing I have noticed, however, is that married men at least, often have friend networks far smaller than that of most children (which meens they go out to play far less often). While I only have a moderate number of married friends those that I know I see out in social situations far less while I see them playing more games or watching more tv now than they did when they were single. This being housebound seems to happen (albeit less so) to even those married couples who don't have children.
I ignore Anonymous Coward posts. If you want to discuss something, that's awesome. Log in.
I'm a divorced, unattached, middle-aged man.
During the week I get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner. What should I do with the rest of my evening? I have no homework, I have no significant other demanding attention. TV sucks ass. I'm angry and bitter at the world and what better way to unwind and release some of that anger than smacking some punks around in World of Warcraft?
It was either online gaming or find a tall tower and a sniper rifle.
- Pithy comment goes here.
This important study just released.
The real life of an average citizen is boring. News at Eleven.
If life were more engaging, if television wasn't full of garbage spewed out by unimaginative conglomerates these statistics would say something else.
But for now it just says games are better than nothing.
You are checking your backups, aren't you?
Let's see, you have two people in a household that are 'gamers'.
One has a bedtime, one can stay up all night.
One has homework, the other has a boss that can be placated (to a point).
One has (perhaps) an allowance or a part time job, so $50 for a game is a major investment, the other has a REAL job where dropping $3000 for a new computer may be about a similar investment.
Which one would be prone to hardcore gaming addiction?
As far as adults are concerned, the only thing that can stop us are spouses, and, well, this IS slashdot...
-Styopa
When I was 16, I was an assistant clan leader for a very small (10 member) Rogue Spear clan. We had one member - the leader, in fact - who was over 20 (he was 28), and we referred to him as "old man."
Now 23, I'm among the younger in my WoW guild. The vast majority of our members are family men and women and many are parents. Instead of having 10% of our members legally adults, we have 60%. That's a hell of a change.
ACs are modded -6. I don't read you, I don't mod you, I don't see you. Don't like it? Don't be a coward.
I'm not sure if what you mean is that teens are more "hardcore" because 5x more of them play MMOs, or the other way around, but just in case:
Seriously, I fail to see what's so "hardcore" about a MMO. The fact of the matter is that in virtually any MMO you'll eventually go up in levels whether you have any skill and dedication or not.
I've met people who were top level, or within the last 10 levels, and hadn't yet even figured out the very basics like "pulling", "tanking", "kiting", or generally using elementary techniques for their class. Or that "no, intending to sell it for cash doesn't mean your priest can roll 'need' on plate armour". Unless they were power-levelled, I can't imagine how someone got to level 50+ without knowing how to pull or how to stun an enemy while they bandage, other than by doing the dumb thing repeatedly, getting killed, and going back at doing the same dumb thing some more.
Or I still fondly remember grouping with level people in COH which had ploughed through the segment where they deal with endurance (mana) drainers like the Malta Sappers or Carnie Ring Mistresses by sheer getting themselves and their group killed repeatedly, and _still_ hadn't figured who they need to kill first in a Malta or Carnie group. Or a fire tank who, _months_ after a major and well documented change to his class, still refused to believe that the change existed. He blamed group members, the random number generator, _anything_ except accept that, for example, the game has a hard-coded limit of maximum 17 enemies you can hold the aggro of. Or people who, by their own admission, had been permanently in XP-debt from being killed ever since they reached level 5. (Back in the day when XP debt started at level 5.) And some were even proud of it.
So, sure, you could "grind" day and night to be the first to level 60... and then be the first to get bored as the game guides you to the tarpit of "endgame content". But the fact is, a casual gamer will reach level 60 too. And even a completely unskilled and thoroughly incompetent player will also reach level 60 too. Sure, it might take a bit longer, but they'll get there too.
Heck, you don't even have to "farm" or craft. I know people who've played a tailor/enchanter and refused to use the auction house or advertise their services in populated areas completely. (Apparently going to Ironforge savagely lagged their computer.) Guess what? They got to level 60 just the same.
The fact is, modern MMOs are among the most casual-gamer-friendly games. Now a single-player game can throw a boss or level at you that just won't let you through unless you're in the top X% of players as skill goes. (Where X can even be 50%, but still, there's a threshhold.) But WoW, EQ2, COH and the like will just require enough time investment to get to any point you wish to get to. The time investment may be hideously large for some of the "endgame content" rewards, but it's still all there is to it.
So if I was to take that as the lone reason why teens play MMOs, I'd say then teens are _less_ hardcore than us old farts. That's youth nowadays for you. Back in my day... *ahem*
But I'll give you another better reason: MMOs cost less, and teens have less disposable income. So between convincing mom and dad to buy you, say, half a dozen single-player games per month to keep you reasonably busy with them, and getting a $13 a month subscriptions, guess which one is more affordable to a teen? Right. WoW is actually the _much_ more affordable way to get your time reasonably occupied by a game.
Doubly so for teenage females, who in a lot of cases aren't exactly pushed towards anything either scientific or computer-related by their parents. I'd imagine a lot have a harder time getting their parents to fork over the cash for computer games. So I can easily imagine one staying with a MMO instead if she got her parents to buy one.
A polar bear is a cartesian bear after a coordinate transform.
humans are scarely more capable of applying the brute force method of solving a remotely-challenging sudoku than they are of playing chess in the same manner (like a calculating chess computer).
My first reaction upon reading this article was to doubt its veracity. I look at my parents, my grandparents and their friends and I assure you the adults do NOT play games more now then they did in 1983 when I got my first console.
and then it hit me: they mean me. no way, dude! I'm not one of THEM! I demand a new demographic!
BBC's 2005 UK Gamer research shows quite different results.
U K_Games_Research_2005.pdf
http://open.bbc.co.uk/newmediaresearch/files/BBC_
In the UK, most gamers are young, and the percentage of gamers in each age group decreases for older age groups. Also, in all age groups, male gamers outnumber female gamers slightly.
I find it a bit hard to believe that the gaming culture in the US is drastically different from the UK one. I think the different results are mainly due to different research methodologies and different definitions of things such as "gamer". For example, the CES people got their survey results from teenagers via telephone, and adult results via Web-form survey. If somebody asked me how much I play face to face or over the telephone, I'd be more likely to understate how much I really play (because I'm kinda embarassed by how much I play games). I'd give a more truthful answer to a paper or a Web form.
The full report costs $499 USD. Without access to that it's kinda hard to judge how good or poor the study's research really was.