Not just for kids: only 18% of gamers are under 18
Simon Williams June 8, 2011 - 3:44 pm
Despite what playing on Xbox Live might lead you to think, only 18% of gamers are under 18 years old – and what’s more, they’re out-numbered by the 29% of gamers who are over 50. Oh, and far more women over 18 play games than boys under 17.
These are just some of the fascinating statistics to be found in the the ESA’s 2011 Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry, a report compiled from sales, demographic and usage data.
It’s well worth having a read through the full report, but here’s some of the headline statistics:
- 18% of game players are under 18, 53% between 18 and 49, and 29% are over 50.
- The average age of a gamer is now 37.
- 58% of game players are male, 42% are female.
- The average age of the person who buys games most frequently is 41.
- Players have been playing video games for an average of 12 years, and 33% of them identify it as their favourite entertainment activity.
Perhaps most telling in light of recent controversies are the statistics on parents and games: 91% of the time parents are present when a game is purchased or rented, and nine out of ten parents pay attention to the content of the games their children are playing.
It’s worth keeping those stats to hand the next time someone utters an ill-informed or ignorant remark about video gaming – especially if they’re an attention seeking public official.
