US Adults Are Spending Big On Video Games, Playing Mostly On Smartphones (reuters.com) 64
A new report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that the average American video gamer is 33 years old, prefers to play on their smartphone and is spending big on content -- 20 percent more than a year ago and 85 percent more than in 2015. Reuters reports: The $43.4 billion spent in 2018 was mostly on content, as opposed to hardware and accessories. Of pay-to-play games, "Call of Duty: Black Ops III," "Red Dead Redemption II" and "NBA 2K19" took the top spots for most units sold but the list did not include free games such as "Fortnite."
Nearly 65 percent of U.S. adults, or more than 164 million people, play games. The most popular genre is casual games, with 60 percent of players gaming on their smartphones, though about half also play on personal computers and specialized consoles. Parents are limiting screen time for their kids and using video game ratings to screen content, and 87 percent of parents require permission for new game purchases, the study showed. Some 46 percent of all gamers are female, though they favor different kinds of games than men, particularly depending on age. The report also found that Gen Xers lean towards "Tetris," "Pac-Man," "Call of Duty," "Forza," and "NBA 2K," while baby boomers like "Solitaire," "Scrabble," "Mahjong" and "Monopoly."
Nearly 65 percent of U.S. adults, or more than 164 million people, play games. The most popular genre is casual games, with 60 percent of players gaming on their smartphones, though about half also play on personal computers and specialized consoles. Parents are limiting screen time for their kids and using video game ratings to screen content, and 87 percent of parents require permission for new game purchases, the study showed. Some 46 percent of all gamers are female, though they favor different kinds of games than men, particularly depending on age. The report also found that Gen Xers lean towards "Tetris," "Pac-Man," "Call of Duty," "Forza," and "NBA 2K," while baby boomers like "Solitaire," "Scrabble," "Mahjong" and "Monopoly."
Highjacked (Score:2)
But can we really justify calling them adults..
Meh, I prefer them to TV (Score:3)
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Agreed. Also, video games usually require more mental ability/energy than watching TV shows too. Of course there are exceptions, but interacting with something almost always requires more mental activity than passive viewing.
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Its "free" to play with constant in game spending to keep up with "free".
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Yes, adults.
After all, computer games are interactive, can require deep thought and intelligence, offer complex and sometimes moving stories, can provide a challenge to skill and reactions and these days frequently include social interaction.
But if you'd rather veg out watching TV that's fine too.
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Well, video games can also be relaxing escapism providing relief from the stress and anxiety of real life.
That's not a bad thing either.
Having to stay (Score:2, Interesting)
Not even a nice big computer they had the ability to design and buy parts for?
At least that was some thinking, sorting of prices parts and what a game needs?
Alone with a smartphone at 33?
Is work adding so much pressure that free time is reduced to smartphone use?
That living conditions are so unfriendly that a small smartphone is the only escape?
Re: Having to stay (Score:3)
Re:Having to stay (Score:5, Insightful)
What else is a 33-year-old to do to pass the time on the bus, train, or Lyft to and from work? The "nice big computer" is at work, and the other "nice big computer" is at home.
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I don't know; when I was 33, looking at ink stains on bundles of wood pulp was quite popular. We called it "reading books".
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Read books. Even in electronic format. On the same smartphone.
Disclaimer: I play games both on PC and smartphone. Tried VR, disliked it. Tried PS3 and XBox, disliked them. But when commuting or traveling, my main pastime on the smartphone is reading books.
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Always remember a 100IQ is average and the gap between 90 and 110 represents the majority of human beings. Most gamers are above that range and represent a minority.
If you actually believe that, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.
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VR is pretty cool for porn, though. Not while commuting, obviously.
Re:Having to stay (Score:5, Interesting)
on a smartphone at 33 years old to play a computer game?
Not even a nice big computer they had the ability to design and buy parts for?
At least that was some thinking, sorting of prices parts and what a game needs?
Alone with a smartphone at 33?
Is work adding so much pressure that free time is reduced to smartphone use?
That living conditions are so unfriendly that a small smartphone is the only escape?
I turn 33 this year (holy shit that makes me feel old, I still feel like I'm fresh out of college). I spend a lot of time on my phone playing games (and reading thanks to the kindle app) as a time waster, but I have never spent 1 cent on a mobile game. However, I just spent $1300 on a gaming PC late last year, have over 150 games in my steam library, probably 10-20 more not in my steam library, and have 10 games on steam over 80 hrs gameplay with 2 over 600 hours (CS:S and RO2/RS). To me, playing a game on your phone is the modern equivalent of flipping to the last page in a newspaper and doing the crossword. Any real entertainment is done at home, in my office, on my desktop.
Oh, and gaming is not, and never will be, a sport.
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Most adults I know prefer to browse the web on their phones.
I was dumbfounded when I realized this. You could browse on a 27 inch monitor or even bigger with a full keyboard and mouse and the ability to take in a lot of info at once... or a 4 inch phone with no keyboard and looking at the web through a postage stamp. And they prefer the latter.
Go figure.
I love having a phone to play a 5 minute game when I'm losing my mind at work, but for anything more, I don't even like laptops with 13" screens, 15" minimum for me.
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Phones are popular because they are usually carried with you everywhere you go. Which is more convienient? Pulling out the device you already keep on you, carrying around a seperate handheld, or sitting in front of the TV in your livingroom (or the PC on your desk)? I'll leave this one wide open for answers.
During the times I want to seriously sit down and play a game? Usually the PC. During the times I need 5 minutes to decompress but don't have time to get into a good game? Phone works in a pinch.
Re: Not just gaming... (Score:1)
Because it's hard to pull out the laptop when you need to quickly find the best restaurant closest to you.
Adults Are Spending Big On Smartphone Video Games (Score:5, Funny)
Yesteryear (Score:4, Informative)
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Don't forget the wave of people looking down on you for trying to be yourself.
Like to skate but are over ~17? Too bad for you, you're not welcome at the skatepark.
Like to play Golf but look under ~30? Too bad for you, you're not welcome at the golf course.
Like to jog but live around a bunch 50+ people? Too bad for you, you're a neighborhood menace.
Like to window shop? Too bad for you, get lost loiterer.
Like to play video games? Too bad for you, we've clo
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and what is their answer to the decline in people going to movies & other events?
increasing the price!
Frak mobiles. (Score:2)
I prefer gaming on my computers, nice bassy speakers, and big screens! Although I rarely play computer games these days as an old fart. :(
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started out with a 2600 on a bw tv, now being an old fart like you, i have a great gaming pc setup and very little time to play.
but when i do find the time, i at least can play in absolute style.
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Ooh, you're like me too except I had color TVs with my Atari 2600. FYI: http://zimage.com/~ant/antfarm... [zimage.com] for my past history. What do you play these days? I need to resume my Oblivion game from 2006. :(
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Recently just completed Fallout New Vegas again, now going through the South Park games.
I also really enjoy Zaccharia Pinball a lot for those casual gaming moments.
A few weeks ago i was finally able to pick up a PC engine for cheap, so i've been also playing that for my retro kicks.
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Which games on PC Engine? I borrowed a TG16 for a week back in the 80s. I loved Aero Blasters, Blazing Lazers, Alien Crush, etc.
Err (Score:2)
This isnâ(TM)t a slight bit pathetic?
Ha! (Score:3)
"A new report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) found that the average American video gamer is 33 years old..."
Ha, I knew I was above average!
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Er ... (Score:2)
Good Topic (Score:1)