Research claims number of gamers doubled in three years
Mobile technology and casual games have caused a surge in numbers
More U.S. consumers are playing videogames now than ever before, even as game consoles are apparently losing their market dominance to online and mobile gaming solutions, says international research firm Parks Associates.
The firm’s consumer data, featured in the new consumer research project Online Gaming and Digital Distribution, show the number of U.S. consumers who play at least one hour of videogames per month increased from 56 million in 2008 to 135 million in 2011.
The majority of these new gamers are "casual gamers," in particular people who play games like FarmVille and Angry Birds on social networks and mobile devices.
This formidable growth comes thanks to increasing penetration of devices such as tablets and, to a lesser extent, smartphones. Three-fourths of U.S. tablet owners play games on the device, including 79% of teen tablet owners, and 57% of smartphone owners play games on it.
"The increase in the number of gamers is impressive because it crosses almost all demographics," said Pietro Macchiarella, Research Analyst, Parks Associates. "Most of this growth is due to increases in the casual gamer segments, with tablets and smartphones usurping PlayStation, Wii, and XBOX as popular gaming devices."
"These changes have significant implications for the gaming industry," Macchiarella said. "This new majority of casual gamers is looking for games with low investments required in terms of dollars and time necessary to learn the game."
The report also claims that growth in traditionally dedicated gaming segments, such as consoles, has apparently stagnated over the years.
The firm’s consumer data, featured in the new consumer research project Online Gaming and Digital Distribution, show the number of U.S. consumers who play at least one hour of videogames per month increased from 56 million in 2008 to 135 million in 2011.
The majority of these new gamers are "casual gamers," in particular people who play games like FarmVille and Angry Birds on social networks and mobile devices.
This formidable growth comes thanks to increasing penetration of devices such as tablets and, to a lesser extent, smartphones. Three-fourths of U.S. tablet owners play games on the device, including 79% of teen tablet owners, and 57% of smartphone owners play games on it.
"The increase in the number of gamers is impressive because it crosses almost all demographics," said Pietro Macchiarella, Research Analyst, Parks Associates. "Most of this growth is due to increases in the casual gamer segments, with tablets and smartphones usurping PlayStation, Wii, and XBOX as popular gaming devices."
"These changes have significant implications for the gaming industry," Macchiarella said. "This new majority of casual gamers is looking for games with low investments required in terms of dollars and time necessary to learn the game."
The report also claims that growth in traditionally dedicated gaming segments, such as consoles, has apparently stagnated over the years.
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