The Essential Facts Are In: Women Love Video Games Too
Congratulations, women age 18 and over! You have now surpassed (at 33%) boys age 17 and younger (18%) as active gamers. The 2008 sales, demographic and usage data numbers from ESA’s (Entertainment Software Association) “Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry” came in earlier this month stating that women now make up 40% of all gamers in the US, up slightly from 38% in 2007. The average age of the gamer has also gone up to 35 from last year’s 33, with an increase in the percentage of gamers over the age of 50 from 24% to 26%. There are significantly more households with game consoles - 38% in 2008 as opposed to 33% in 2007, with 63% of parents (up from 55% in 2007)believing video games to be a positive influence in their children’s lives. What do all these numbers actually mean? According to ESA CEO Michael D. Gallagher, “This new data underscores the fundamental principle that computer and video games are a mainstream entertainment form, which captures the imagination of every segment of our society. No longer is there a stereotypical gamer.” The only market left to be conquered by the ravenous video game industry may just be the family pet. Fido, look out!