Who’s the Typical Gamer? You Might Be Surprised
Most people consider the “hardcore gamer” as someone who plays video games two or more hours each day. Now, whom do you picture? Some sallow-skinned 13-year old kid sitting in his parents’ basement with a multi-screen setup and three different systems running? Believe it or not, the average gamer doesn’t fit this mold in the slightest.
Just Your Average Gamer
Are you ready for a shock? Though teenage boys and young adults are most often associated with gaming, research conducted by the Entertainment Software Association reveals 31 percent of gamers are between the ages of 18-35, and 32 percent are under the age of 18.
And representing the majority of gamers, at 37 percent, are those who are over the age of 36. So, teenagers only represent about a third of gamers; apparently, people who are well into adulthood are the ones who love to play and download games the most.
Gender Roles
Here’s where the real shock begins. Fifty-three percent of gamers are male, which leaves 47 percent are women. Where are all these female gamers hiding? Sure, lady gamers have made their presence known in the gaming world, but it’s still surprising to learn nearly half of all gamers are women.
So, if women make up nearly half of all gamers, and more gamers fall into the over-36 age range, it’s fair to say that one of the most noteworthy demographics in gaming is the middle-aged female. Huh!
Battle of the Gamers
Perhaps even more fascinating is the fact that women over 18 represent a larger percentage of gamers (30 percent) than males under the age of 17 (18 percent). In other words, women at various ages of adulthood outnumber teenage boys in the gaming world by nearly double.
Queens of Gaming
The online gaming site Zynga reinforces the news that women hold a prominent place in the demographics of the gaming industry. The company recently reported that 53 percent of gamers on its site are women 25-44 years old. Additionally, Zynga’s director of brand advertising, Manny Anekal, called women the “new hardcore gamers.” The company noted that more women are playing online games than are watching daytime TV. They will spend the most money to download games, as well. Additionally, Zynga has reported that nearly one in five Americans play games online.
As many people outside (and even inside) the gaming world hold tight to the thought that teen boys are the most popular type of gamer, they may be surprised to the hardcore gamer is a middle-aged women. As middle-age women take the gaming world by storm, companies like Zynga have them in their sights. After all, these women are spending money that teenage boys simply do not have (although not all games cost you money). Ironically, it’s probably the moms who are playing games more than them.
