- 65 percent of American households play computer and video games;
- 38 percent of American homes have a video game console;
- The average game player is 35 years old;
- One out of four gamers are over age 50;
- Women age 18 or older represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (33 percent) than boys age 17 or younger (18 percent);
- 41 percent of Americans expect to purchase one or more games this year;
- 94 percent of parents are present when games are purchased or rented;
- 88 percent of parents report always or sometimes monitoring the games their children play;
- 63 percent of parents believe games are a positive part of their children's lives.
New game industry facts, straight from the ESA
20
Today's "State of the Industry" E3 keynote by ESA CEO Mike Gallagher also marked the release of the organization's new annual set of "Essential Facts" about the game industry. Among the interesting findings from the ESA-commissioned survey of the American public:
Reader Comments (20)
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 8:45PM kenofthedead said
I'm rather impressed, I didn't think most of those would have such high numbers for the States.
Good for them.
Reply
Good for them.
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 8:49PM (Unverified) said
I was wondering what percentage of U.S. gamers game naked nut NOOO.
Reply
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 8:51PM Korova Pamplona said
Even more disturbing would be the number of Joystiq readers reading Joystiq naked ... right now, at the same time as you!
Reply
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 8:49PM Korova Pamplona said
I always wonder whether how these facts are extrapolated?
They dont actually know who plays games. They only know who buys stuff and maybe who registers for stuff. In this day and age of internet, that would be usually parents attempting to control their kids from internet social exposure by controlling all registrations.
This may skew the numbers toward payors rather than players. That goes for the women and ave. age numbers.
As for 63% of parents think GAMES are positive for their children!!!!! What about the other 37%? Do they chain their children to a book on the left and the loan mower on the right and prohibit them from playing Games at all! F'n nazi's!
Reply
They dont actually know who plays games. They only know who buys stuff and maybe who registers for stuff. In this day and age of internet, that would be usually parents attempting to control their kids from internet social exposure by controlling all registrations.
This may skew the numbers toward payors rather than players. That goes for the women and ave. age numbers.
As for 63% of parents think GAMES are positive for their children!!!!! What about the other 37%? Do they chain their children to a book on the left and the loan mower on the right and prohibit them from playing Games at all! F'n nazi's!
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 9:18PM RKN said
"As for 63% of parents think GAMES are positive for their children!!!!! What about the other 37%? Do they chain their children to a book on the left and the loan mower on the right and prohibit them from playing Games at all! F'n nazi's!"
Unfortunately, thats what my Indian parents and elders think. I'm 21 and I'm always chastised for playing my PSP, playing videogames, always making me feel like I am way too old for videogames now and yet the average age for a gamer is 35. I will game until I die!
Reply
Unfortunately, thats what my Indian parents and elders think. I'm 21 and I'm always chastised for playing my PSP, playing videogames, always making me feel like I am way too old for videogames now and yet the average age for a gamer is 35. I will game until I die!
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 10:42PM Korova Pamplona said
I feel you, but it says GAMES, not video games. That's just so sad. Think of the children! They want to play something. What else are kinds gonna do?
Reply
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 9:28PM (Unverified) said
Keep in mind that lobbying groups are prone to stretching the truth to further their clientele. Don't get too excited that this group would saying gaming is very common and wonderful when it's in their best interest to do so.
Reply
Posted: Jul 16th 2008 9:39PM mr nimblewick said
This is nintendo's gift to the game industry. Hate on their e3 presentation all you want (I know I have), they sure are expanding the audience.
Reply
Posted: Jul 17th 2008 12:20AM Saria the Cat said
Something seems odd about these statistics. Like...CONFOUNDING FACTORS?! :O
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Posted: Jul 17th 2008 1:01AM Snap Count said
How about the fact that 64.8% of stats are made up on the spot...
Reply
Posted: Jul 17th 2008 4:56AM (Unverified) said
The one about woman is very interesting. Must be a lot of woman casual or wii gamers cause i have only ever seen 3 females on xbox live since launch.
Reply
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