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How soon will it be before the number increases again?

According to a poll compiled by the AP and AOL Games, 40 percent of Americans play PC or console video games.  The survey of 3,024 adults in the U.S. was done several weeks ago in late April.  Even with the immense popularity of role playing games and first-person shooters, board or card games are still the most popular among casual gamers, according to the poll.  Not surprisingly, online gamers currently spend more time playing video games compared to gamers that choose not to play over the Internet.  The Associated Press reports:

The survey results come as Sony Corp., Nintendo Co. and Microsoft Corp. prepare to push their new consoles this week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. All three are hoping to make broad online features such as multiplayer games, video conferencing and downloadable content a core element of the video game experience.

Young men and minorities are the most likely to video PC or console video games.  Honestly, I am actually surprised that the number is only 4 out of 10 Americans currently play some sort of game on a PC or game console.

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Shifting culture
By Decaydence on 5/8/2006 3:11:33 AM , Rating: 2
I find it hilarious that a large portion of the population still looks at gaming as somehow childish or lacking. These people scoff at gaming and then sit passively while watching TV. I envision a future (not too far either) in which interactive entertainment is as popular, if not more so, than the alternative. All these nay-sayers are pathetically out of touch and must condemn to make themselves feel superior, as every antiquated generation must I suppose.




RE: Shifting culture
By rushfan2006 on 5/8/2006 11:43:23 AM , Rating: 3
I agree 1000% with you. I think its strange that there is some kind of weird stigma if you play PC/console games and you are 21+. Myself being in my early 30's..I've been a gamer pretty much my whole life, with my earliest memory of playing a computer game being at around 8 years old.

My girlfriend even busts my chops because I like to play games. Its nothing serious, we both just laugh about it, and if I want to get her back I bust on her addiction with "Friends" -- she has the entire DVD collection and is ALWAYS watching it.

And therein lies my original point....

At a past job there was a guy (our programmer) he was not a gamer, but had a $70,000 home theater setup in is house (I kid you not)....and he said, upon hearing me explain I'm a gamer and sometimes I'll play for 3 hours in a single night, he said two things...."Your girlfriend is ok with that?" and then " That's just sad...".

I turned on him and said, "What the hell is the difference between someone playing 3 hours worth of games in a night and someone who watches TV shows for a 3 hours a night?".

I just don't get it....



RE: Shifting culture
By codeThug on 5/8/2006 11:54:16 AM , Rating: 2
the difference is you are using your brain and the other is not.


RE: Shifting culture
By Scrogneugneu on 5/8/2006 7:31:15 PM , Rating: 3
Noooo, it's false. I use my brain when I watch TV.


I... use my...

I use...

Simpsooooons...


It's only part of the story...
By captchaos2 on 5/8/2006 9:21:17 AM , Rating: 2
These numbers apparently don't include cell phone downloaded games which are played by everyone who has a phone. There are also a lot of people who play the handheld LCD games like sudoku or poker or bridge. If you count these, then the number of gamers would be much more accurate. Besides, the way the cell phones are developing, who's to say they won't become another console?




By segagenesis on 5/8/2006 12:00:37 PM , Rating: 2
A recent poll showed that 98% of people thought the sky was blue, when it was really green. Another poll found that 6 out of 4 people read polls. Of 1303 people surveyed, 5138632 people recognized the name Simon Cowell.

</sarcasm> In other words, dont take polls too seriously.


RE: It's only part of the story...
By MercenaryForHire on 5/8/2006 1:08:13 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Besides, the way the cell phones are developing, who's to say they won't become another console?


insert Totally X-TREEM NGage ad here

Yeah, no thanks. :P

- M4H


By captchaos2 on 5/8/2006 8:44:15 PM , Rating: 2
Of course the N-gage was a lousy handheld console trying to be a phone, and had lousy support, but I guess you haven't seen the Blackberry phones? You know, in order to play games on your phone, it has to be a good quality phone. Right now I can play Splinter Cell, Tiger Woods golf, and Sims2 on my Samsung phone, and the next generation of phones can play music videos on their screens. That's not even including the pda phones that have more capabilities. I see phones and blackberries getting larger, and PCs getting smaller (Mac mini), and they will meet in the middle one day. What are the size differences between a blackberry phone, and a GBA SP? I guess you forgot that PC's weren't made to play games either, but gradually they became the most powerful gaming platform.


RE: It's only part of the story...
By tjr508 on 5/8/2006 4:30:34 PM , Rating: 2
Right on, I was thinking the opposite until I thought of me and my race21 on ym phone. 12,500 anyone?


The other people are
By MykC on 5/8/2006 6:06:51 AM , Rating: 2
The people who aren't playing and most girls and most old people (both genders)




RE: The other people are
By Dev17 on 5/8/2006 6:22:18 AM , Rating: 2
True its is mostly girls and women who don't play. Along with old people 55+. So the results would seem shocking that 4/5+ men under 30 would play games online or not. Gaming is getting bigger and bigger.


surprised?
By AzureKevin on 5/8/2006 12:49:09 PM , Rating: 2
At first I was somewhat surprised that only 4 out of 10 adults play video games. But then I realized that half the population, women, are much less likely to play games than the other half. So if you think about it, that figure is roughly equivalent to 4 out of 5 adult males play games. WHOO.




RE: surprised?
By clnee55 on 5/9/2006 1:28:46 PM , Rating: 2
That's why obesity becomes a growing problem in America. If you like to play game, enjoy it. There is nothing wrong with other people who like outdoor activities.


our generation
By poohbear on 5/8/2006 9:07:12 AM , Rating: 2
our generation (anyone born during the late 70's and on) grew up on video games, so it's part of our entertainment medium. in the future, when ppl born in the late 70s are 40+, vid games will be far more mainstream.




Wait till the boomers die....
By Dfere on 5/8/2006 12:50:52 PM , Rating: 2
Mark twain once wrote..

"There are lies, damn lies, and then statistics!"

40% of the population equates to what if baby boomers or WW2 gen dies off- probably more like 80-90%.

How many 60 year olds play video games? 5%????(my ma does). What % of the population is above 60? 35%- or more I think (anyone help me out here....)

Thats why they called it a "BOOM"!




By MercenaryForHire on 5/8/2006 1:05:06 PM , Rating: 1
Really, who actually plays Minesweeper/Freecell other than bored office workers and lonely spinsters?

Hell, I even got my father (50+) gaming ... he'll play Mario Kart with my little brother when he's got some spare time. Sadly, I've been slacking off my gaming duties - what with this "work" thing and all - so the chain of power has slowly shifted to ( brother > dad > M4H )

*hangs head in shame and goes off to play Hearts with the rest of the fogies*

- M4H




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