Gaming is bigger than ever. This year, the industry will generate an expected $152.1 billion in revenue.
But despite gaming’s popularity, some serious misconceptions surround those who love to play. We’re here to settle the score, so get ready to learn seven surprising facts about gamers that might surprise you.
1. Most Gamers Are Adults
For some reason, there’s still a stigma surrounding gaming. Some people believe that it’s a hobby for kids.
The data doesn’t lie – the average gamer is far from a kid. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) notes that the average player is 34 years old.
Aside from that, 70% of gamers are 18 or older.
2. Gaming is a Pro-Social Hobby
Another nasty stigma is that gamers don’t socialize enough. But if you were to boot up any lobby in “Fortnite,” you’d soon note that that isn’t the case at all.
Gaming brings people together. Thanks to headsets and chat features, gamers interact with people around the world every day.
And that’s not even accounting for the gamers who get together with friends and hold LAN parties.
3. China Boasts the Biggest Population of Gamers
Looking to find your video game mecca? You might want to head to China.
Reports note that China features the highest population of gamers on the globe. Chinese gamers spend $27.54 billion on gaming each year.
4. Mobile Gamers Spend More Than Console Players
Between high-end gaming PCs and expensive new consoles, it can seem like gaming can cost a fortune.
You can even play some great games right on your phone.
But that doesn’t stop people from dropping serious dollars to support their favorite games. In 2018, mobile games generated $70.3 billion in revenue. In comparison, console games generated $34.6 billion, while PC games totaled $32.9 billion.
5. Yes, Women Play Games Too
As far as outdated stereotypes go, this is perhaps the most harmful, so let’s put it to rest once and for all.
Reports show that 46% of females in the U.S. play games.
Not only do women play games, but women are responsible for some of the most beloved games of all time. Games like “Centipede,” “Portal,” and “Celeste” all had female creators at the helm.
6. Gaming Can Be a Viable Career
With the rise of eSports and streaming, gamers can now make a living doing what they love. Some streamers make millions per year!
7. Gamers Impact the Games They Play
In the old days, a player would buy a game, play it, maybe tell a friend or two what they thought, and then move on with their life. But now, gamers have more power than ever. And they’re using that power to impact the games they love.
Take the controversy surrounding Battlefront II, for instance. Publisher Electronic Arts’ (EA) decision to lock many of the game’s elements behind loot boxes drew such ire from fans that EA changed Battlefront’s entire monetization model days before launch.
There’s also Fallout 76. Despite a rocky launch, gamers came together to build entire settlements. Players even banded together to create marketplaces.
Level up Your Knowledge with These Facts About Gamers
So there you have it, the essential facts about gamers. It’s nice to finally put some of these old myths to bed for good.
Whether you’re a lifelong gamer or someone looking to get into the hobby, we hope you learned something today!
And remember, if you’re interested in saving money while playing the games you love, we can help. Click here to find out how.
