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Half Of Adults Play Video Games

Posted on: Monday, 8 December 2008, 07:35 CST

According to a recent survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, more than half of American adults play video games, and one is five plays nearly everyday. 

The survey of 2,054 adults was conducted last year and included people from all walks of life.  Eighty-one percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 said they play video games, while 23 percent of those 65 and older played. 

Another Pew survey conducted this fall found that 97 percent of teenagers play video games.

"As various people become more accustomed to spending their entertainment time playing games, we will continue to see this spread throughout society," said Pew’s senior research specialist, Amanda Lenhart. "There are people who talk about games as a new genre, a new art form."

The survey also crushed previous stereotypes of young males predominantly playing video games, by showing that nearly 50 percent of women play, compared to 55 percent of men.

Nintendo Co. has already catered to this audience with their Wii gaming console.  The Wii features “casual” games that take less time to master.  The system has enjoyed great success since being released in 2006, and is still in such high demand that it recently sold out on the Best Buy website.

The Pew study also discovered that those who were college educated were more likely to play games.  Nearly 57 percent of respondents with a college education said they played games, compared to 51 percent of high school graduates, and 40 percent of those not graduating high school.

The study also showed that many young parents are avid gamers as well.  In all, 66 percent of parents with children under the age of 17 play video games, compared to 47 percent of adults with children above that age.

According to Sarah Ninesling, a stay-at-home mother of 4, the lure of video games is the opportunity to interact with a story.  One of her favorite games, “Fallout 3” has various endings determined by the players choices throughout the story.  Ninesling enjoys the interactivity of video games over television.

"Real life can suck, and games are designed not to," Ninesling said. "That's why it's important for most people."

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On the Net:

• Pew Internet and American Life Project

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

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