Gaming Stereotypes

The ESA has been busily collecting data about the purchasing habits of gamers for a number of years now. From this data they have produced a top 10 list of facts about gamers and their habits. Let's have a look at 5 of these facts and how they may change your misconceptions.

1. US game software sales grew to $9.5 billion in 2007. Movie ticket sales in the US reached $9.7 billion in 2007. I expect game software to outsell movie tickets in 2008, though games have a ways to go before they can compete with the $15 billion in DVD sales.

2. The average game player is 33 years old and has been playing games for 12 years. It's time we all stopped thinking of gamers as teenagers and college kids.

3. 85% of all games sold in '07 were rated E, T, or E10+. While Game of the Year, Call of Duty 4, and other M rated games may get the media's attention, consumers aren’t nearly as interested. This has a striking parallel to the movie industry. All but one of this year's nominees for best picture were rated R, while the vast majority of movies are PG or PG-13.

4. 38% of all game players are women. In fact, women over the age of 18 represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (31%) than boys age 17 or younger (20%).

5. 69% of American heads of households are gamers. Politicians need to take note because we are prevalent, and it probably won't be long before we become a true majority.