More Than Half of the US Plays Videogames

The newest NPD numbers pass on a heartening statistic about the adoption of games: more than half of the US population plays videogames via some method. "Most people said that per week, they're either playing just as many or less hours than they did last year. Thirty percent said that they play more than a year ago, while another 30 percent said they play less and 40 percent say that they play the same amount of hours. Males aged 18-34 continue to be the heaviest gamers and are more attracted to hardcore games as opposed to casual games."

Statistics!

[Qzukk]

Most people said that per week, they're either playing just as many or less hours than they did last year.

Or

"Most people said that per week, they're either playing just as many or more hours than they did last year."

Both statements are true.

The number might be higher if...

[BZWingZero]

The number might be higher if people realized (or admitted, depending on how you view it) that those online flash distractions and card games are actually video games.

Re:WHAT?!

[Pojut]

OK, so you are a self-described "hardcore" gamer...well, I have some sad news for you bucko. As soon as you say you refuse to play a game because either A. it is on a console or B. it is on a game system made by a specific company, you are basically revealing to the world that you are a moron. A complete and total moron.

What kind of gamer would want to LIMIT themselves by refusing to play games on certain platforms/systems? If you truly are a hardcore gamer, you would be playing as many different games as possible on as many different systems as possible...otherwise, you are what some people like to call "fake".

Who gives a crap if it's played with a keyboard/mouse or a controller? Who cares what company manufactured the system it plays on? If it's a video game, and it's fun, what more could you possibly want?

Christ, people like you piss me off...

Surprising?

[physicsboy500]

NPD's report, Expanding the Games Market, said that 63 percent of the US population plays videogames on console, PC, handhelds, mobile, iPods, kids systems or other devices. The survey included over 5,000 online participants.

I would like to point out that the data will be slightly skewed as this was an online survey and those with the ability to take an online survey have a wider exposure to video games already as they need a computer with browser. (i.e. I guarantee my grandmother who has never played a video game in her life and also doesn't have an internet connection or computer took this survey).

With that out of the way, is this really surprising anyways? With Nintendo making games appeal to a much broader audience than ever before, we literally have a wide selection of video games for every market. Whether it's the sims on PC, soduku on hand-held, bowling on the Wii, or educational and learning games for the kids, I think that the US has learned to embrace the entertainment value and tailor it to everything from learning to leisure.

The only real barrier to entry is getting used to a specific UI and there are a stubborn few that will refuse to learn something new, but there are plenty willing to learn as the market adapts to them, and thus I think that adaptation will only continue to grow too.

I also think it makes sense that the hours played is flattening off. While I formerly was bad at putting a game down to go to (work / class / social interactions), I slowly realized there was a time and place for video games and began to play responsibly (although WOW is still pretty friggin addictive). I think most (we'll say 'normal') people already have this internal regulation, recovering addicts like myself that threw off the "hours played" curve are slowly coming out of the darkness.

I won't say this is a good change as educational video games are not a substitute for good parenting, only a supplement, and I see some people forget this. Additionally (and I still refuse to say this in certain terms) things like video games could be a cause of ADD and other attention disorders.

I will say that it is good to kick back and relax as long as it doesn't interfere with your life and some games can be good teaching tools if used properly.

Re:WHAT?!

[Pojut]

Regardless, the way that you talk about it makes you sound like an elitist ass. And btw, any TV that can output a 1080P signal is already putting out a higher resolution than 1600X1200....not to mention 1600X1200 isn't all that high for modern PC games...

As far as headshotting with a controller, it just takes some getting used to...if anything, it just means you are more skilled if you are able to. Being able to be just as proficient in an FPS using a mouse as you are using a controller is a great skill to have btw. You never know when a great shooter is going to be a console exclusive...Goldeneye, perhaps?

BTW, both the 360 AND the PS3 can output a 1080p signal. Just thought you would like to know.

Being able to modify PC games, that I will definately agree with you on...Oblivion is the perfect example of that, and Team Fortress 2/Portal will both be fantastic examples of it as well, once the community spends some more time with them.

Still, don't entirely write off consoles....you are really limiting yourself from playing some fantastic games.

Re:WHAT?!

[Gravatron]

The biggest problem with playing games at 1600x1200 or above is the hardware costs to get a good framerate out of said games. I could probabaly buy all three consoles for the cost of the upgrades to play such games on my PC. Playing at 720p/1080p is good enough for me.

Ont he mod side, that is indeed what kept me playing pc games for so long. I was thrilled when sony allowed mods on the ps3, and UT3 made use of them. Its as simple as downloading the mod to a usb stick and importing it on your ps3. Really hoping they find a way to do it without a PC though. They also let you use a mouse and keyboard, which is awesome. Saved me a ton of PC upgrade money.

Worthless statistics?

[IQpierce]

"The survey included over 5,000 online participants." ...Okay... doesn't that mean that certain huge demographics have been completely ignored? Like, the people out there who don't have internet access? Or don't have access to a computer at all?

I think this skews the stats a little...?

Effect of writer's strike?

[British]

I wonder if the writers' strike, resulting in numerous TV reruns(& reality shows) would give a boost in video gaming. No new episodes of your favorite shows? Fire up the console then.