Who play Games?

The following is a report done by the Entertainment Software Association regarding the demographics of video game users.

Entertainment Software Association

2008 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry
Who plays computer and video games?

* 65% of American households pay computer or video games

Age of game players:

* The average game player age is 35
* 25% under 18 years
* 49% 18–49 years
* 26% of gamers were over the age of 50.

Gender of game players:

* 40% female and 60% male
* Women age 18 or older represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (33%) than boys age 17 or younger (18%).

Who BUYS Computer and Video Games?

* The average age of the most frequent game purchaser is: 40

Misc.

* 59% of gamers play games with other gamers in person.
* This is a rise from 56% in 2007 and from 51% in 2006.

Best-selling computer game super genres by units sold, 2007:

* Strategy, Role Playing and Family Entertainment account for 67%.

Parents and games

* 94% of the time parents are present at the time games are purchased or rented.
* 63% of parents believe games are a positive part of their children’s lives.
* 83% of the time children receive their parents’ permission before purchasing or renting a game. Parents report always or sometimes monitoring the games their children play 88% of the time.

The Top Four Reasons Parents Play Video Games With Their Children:

* It’s fun for the entire family: 72%
* Because they’re asked to: 71%
* It’s a good opportunity to socialize with the child: 66%
* It’s a good opportunity to monitor game content: 50%

Who Plays Games Online?

* 56% of online game players are male.
* 44% of online game players are female.
* 22% of most frequent game players say they pay to play online games. This is an increase from 19% in 2007 and a marked increase from 8% in 2004.

How many Americans expect to buy Games?

* 41% of Americans have purchased or plan to purchase one or more games in 2008.