Video Games: Attitudes and Habits of Adults Age 0plus For More Information: G. Oscar Anderson, AARP Research, ganderson@aarp.org May 0 https://doi.org/0./res.00.00
Prepared For AARP By GfK Public Affairs And Corporate Communications
Table of Contents Objectives and Methodology Key Findings Detailed Findings 0 Devices Owned and Played Video Game Usage Influence and Discovery 7 Appendix 0 Where Specific Devices/Systems Are Used Demographics Questionnaire 77
Objectives and Methodology Objectives To explore the attitudes and habits of Americans aged 0+ toward playing video games Qualifications Age 0 or older; gamers must own a device (e.g. computer, tablet, console, handheld, etc.) and play a video/online game on an owned device at least once per month Sample GfK KnowledgePanel, n=, (gamers, n=0; nongamers, n=) Methodology Online survey via GfK KnowledgePanel, with sample targeting panelists age 0 or older Interviewing dates March 7, 0 Weighting Questionnaire length The data is weighted at two levels: first, to demographics among total respondents; second, to demographics within gamer/nongamer groups among qualified respondents Overall (minutes): 7. (median); Gamers:. (median); NonGamers:. (median); Full questionnaire is located in the appendix.
Key Findings
Key Findings Close to four in ten adults aged 0+ are gamers (%) while % are nongamers. Women are more likely to be gamers than men 0% of women are gamers vs. just % of men. Gamers were defined based on questions related to ownership of various systems/devices, and whether respondents had personally used any of those devices for playing video games at least once per month. Gamers aged 0+ most commonly use computers/laptops (%) and phone/other mobile devices (7%) to play video games. In terms of type of computer/laptop, onethird report using a laptop/netbook and onethird use a personal desktop computer. With phones or other mobile device, about one in six report using their own: iphone (7%), Android Smartphone (%), nonapple tablet (%) or ipad (%) to play video games. Nearly six in ten (%) gamers say they play games online.
Key Findings Threequarters of gamers play video games weekly, with four in ten gamers saying they play video games every day. Interestingly, a greater proportion of older gamers compared to younger gamers report playing video games weekly or more often (7% of 0 year olds compared to % of 0+ say they play every day). Moreover, female gamers are more likely to play daily than male gamers (% vs. %). Card/tile games (%) and puzzle/logic games (%), followed distantly by trivia/word /traditional board video games top the list of respondents three favorite types of video games. The youngest gamers most prefer puzzle and logic games, while oldest gamers most prefer card and tile games. 7
Key Findings In total, % of gamers have made any video game related purchase in the past months. Of the gamers who made purchases, 77% bought for themselves, while % bought for others. Half of online gamers report playing games online more today than they did five years ago. About onequarter say much more (%) and onequarter say somewhat more (%). While onequarter say they are playing about the same amount, only about one in five say they are playing less. Women (7%) are significantly more likely than men (%) to say they play more today than they did five years ago.
Key Findings The top reason gamers say they play video games is to have fun (% say this is an extremely important reason and % say it is very important). Fun is the top reason among those under aged 70, but among those 70+, it is the second most important reason, with the top reason being to stay mentally sharp (% say this is an extremely important reason and 0% say it is very important). More than onequarter of respondents say they have played a video or online game specifically to stay mentally sharp. Gamers are much more likely than nongamers to report having played a video or online game specifically to improve brain health or stay mentally sharp (0% versus %). Women are more likely than men to say they have played video games specifically to improve brain health or stay mentally sharp (% vs. %).
Detailed Findings 0
Devices Owned & Played
Ownership of Phones & Other Mobile Devices (%) Eightynine percent of the 0plus own a phone or other mobile device. Phones top the list of mobile devices owned, with about four in ten reporting ownership of a regular cell phone (%), and about onequarter owning either an Android Smartphone (7%) or an iphone (%). S0. Which of the following systems ordevices do you currently have in yourhome? Base: Total respondents Phones & Other Mobile Devices Total Gamer NonGamer N= N=0 N= Regular cell phone 0 Android Smartphone that is yours, personally 7 iphone that is yours, personally 0 Other tablet that is yours, personally 0 iphone that is owned/used by others in household 7 0 ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally 7 Android Smartphone that is owned/used by others in household 7 Other tablets that are owned/used by others in household Portable digital music player ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in household 0 ipod touch Other Smartphone that is owned/used by others in the household Apple Watch or other smart watch Other Smartphone that is yours, personally
Ownership of Computers & Laptops (7%) Eightyseven percent of the 0plus own a computer or laptop. Twothirds of respondents own a laptop/netbook, with somewhat more gamers than nongamers reporting ownership (70% versus %). Overall about half of respondents own a desktop, including % gamers. Computers/Laptops Total Gamer NonGamer N= N=0 N= Laptop/netbook 70 Personal desktop computer S0. Which of the following systems or devices do you currently have in your home? Base: Total respondents
Ownership of Video Game Consoles (%) Twentytwo percent of the 0plus own a video game console. The Nintendo Wii tops the list of video game consoles owned. Not surprisingly, gamers (%) exceed nongamers (%) in terms of ownership of video game consoles. Video Game Consoles Total Gamer NonGamer N= N=0 N= Nintendo Wii Xbox 0 0 PlayStation PlayStation Xbox One Nintendo Wii U S0. Which of the following systems or devices do you currently have in your home? Base: Total respondents
Ownership of Portable Video Game Devices (%) Six percent of the 0plus own a portable video game device. The Nintendo DS series tops the list, though just % overall and % of gamers report owning these. Portable Video Game Devices Total Gamer NonGamer N= N=0 N= Nintendo DS/DS/DSi/DSi XL Game Boy (Advance, Advance SP or Micro) Nintendo DS/DS XL Sony PSP/PSPgo Sony PS Vita * * S0. Which of the following systems or devices do you currently have in your home? Base: Total respondents
Ownership of Other Video Game Systems (%) Five percent of the 0plus own another type of video game system. Apple TV is the most commonly owned other type of video game system, owned by %. Other Video Game Systems Total Gamer NonGamer N= N=0 N= Apple TV Plug & Play/allinone system Kidoriented systems * Other system or device None of these electronic devices are in the household Refused S0. Which of the following systems or devices do you currently have in your home? Base: Total respondents
Use to Play Video Games (NETS) Looking across the broad categories, computers/laptops and phone/other mobile devices are the items most commonly used by gamers to play video games. Computers/Laptops Phones & Other Mobile Devices 7 Video Game Consoles Portable Gaming Devices Other Video Game Systems Other S0. Which of these systems or devices do you personally use for playing video games at least once per month? This could be any type of gaming. Base: Own devices 7
Use to Play Video Games: Computers/Laptops Close to six in ten gamers (%) use some type of computer or laptop, with onethird using a laptop/netbook and onethird using a personal desktop computer. Computers/Laptops (% NET) Gamer N=0 Laptop/netbook Personal desktop computer S0. Which of these systems or devices do you personally use for playing video games at least once per month? This could be any type of gaming. Base: Own devices
Use to Play Video Games: Phones/Mobile Devices Close to six in ten gamers (7%) use a phone or other mobile device to play video games; about one in six report using their own: iphone (7%), Android Smartphone (%), nonapple tablet (%) or ipad (%) to play video games. Phones & Other Mobile Devices (7% NET) Gamer N=0 iphone that is yours, personally 7 Android Smartphone that is yours, personally Other tablet that is yours, personally ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in household iphone that is owned/used by others in household Android Smartphone that is owned/used by others in household ipod touch Regular cell phone Other tablets that are owned/used by others in household Other Smartphone that is yours, personally S0. Which of these systems or devices do you personally use for playing video games at least once per month? This could be any type of gaming. Base: Own devices
Use to Play Video Games: Other Systems One in six use video game consoles (%) to play video games, with the most common being the Nintendo Wii (%), followed closely by the Xbox 0. Video Game Consoles (% NET) Nintendo Wii Xbox 0 PlayStation PlayStation Xbox One Nintendo Wii U Portable Gaming Devices (% NET) Nintendo DS/DS/DSi/DSi XL Nintendo DS/DS XL Other Video Game Systems (% NET) Plug & Play/allinone system Other S0. Which of these systems or devices do you personally use for playing video games at least once per month? This could be any type of gaming. Base: Own devices 0
Proportion of Gamers 0+ Gamers were defined based on screening questions related to ownership of various systems/devices, and whether respondents had personally used any of those devices for playing video games at least once per month, resulting in % being identified as gamers and % as nongamers. Total 0+ Gamers Vs. NonGamers % NonGamers % Gamers Women Men % % NonGamers 0% 0% Gamers S0. Which of the following systems or devices do you currently have in your home? S0. Which of these systems or devices do you personally use for playing video games at least once per month? Base: Total Respondents
Video Game Usage
How Often Play Video Games Threequarters of gamers play video games weekly, with four in ten gamers saying they play video games every day. Interestingly, a greater proportion of older gamers (%) compared to younger gamers (7%) report playing video games weekly or more often. Total (N=0) 0 7 0 Every Day 0 Gamer (N=) 7 0 Gamer (N=) 70+ Gamer (N=) Every day A few days a month Refused A few days a week Once a month 7 0 Male (N=) Female (N=) Once a week Less often than once a month A0. Generally speaking, how often do you play video games? This could be on any device. Base: All gamers
Devices Used Per Week Gamers report playing for close to an average of hours per week on ipads (either one owned personally, or owned by someone in their household). A Plug & Play, an Xbox, and a personal computer are also used to play more than hours per week on average. MEAN HOURS PER WEEK ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in household ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally Plug & Play/allinone system Xbox One Personal desktop computer Laptop/netbook PlayStation Apple Watch or other smart watch Apple TV Nintendo DS/DS/DSi/DSi XL iphone that is yours, personally Xbox 0 ipod touch Android Smartphone that is yours, personally iphone that is owned/used by others in household Nintendo Wii U Android Smartphone that is owned/used by others in household PlayStation Sony PS Vita Nintendo DS/DS XL Kidoriented systems Portable digital music player Nintendo Wii Sony PSP/PSPgo Regular cell phone Game Boy A0. How many hours per week would you say that you personally spend gaming on each of the following devices? Base: All gamers Other......0...0.0.0.............. 0..
Devices Used Per Week: By Age Looked at by age, variations emerge in terms of top device used per week on average: youngest gamers use the plug & play device most ( hours); midaged gamers use household ipads the most (. hours); and oldest gamers use their own ipad the most (. hours). MEAN HOURS PER WEEK Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in.... household ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally.... Plug & Play/allinone system..0. 0. Xbox One....0 Personal desktop computer....7 Laptop/netbook.0... PlayStation... Apple Watch or other smart watch..0 0. Apple TV.0.0 Nintendo DS/DS/DSi/DSi XL.0..0 iphone that is yours, personally.0...7 Xbox 0.... ipod touch...7.0 Android Smartphone that is yours, personally..7..7 iphone that is owned/used by others in household....0 Nintendo Wii U... 0. Android Smartphone that is owned/used by others in household.... PlayStation....7 Sony PS Vita.. 0.0.0 Nintendo DS/DS XL...7 0.7 Kidoriented systems..0 0. Portable digital music player..7 0..0 Nintendo Wii... 0.7 Sony PSP/PSPgo. 0.. 0.0 Regular cell phone... 0. Game Boy 0. 0. 0. 0. Other.... A0. How many hours per week would you say that you personally spend gaming on each of the following devices? Base: All gamers Note: very small base for some devices
Devices Used for Online Gameplay Four in ten gamers (%) do not play games online or connected through WiFi. Among those who do, laptop/netbooks are used most often for online gameplay, cited by about one in five gamers (%). The oldest gamers are most likely to use a personal desktop computer for online gameplay (%). Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer Laptop/netbook Personal desktop computer Android Smartphone that is yours, personally ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally iphone that is yours, personally Xbox 0 PlayStation PlayStation Regular cell phone ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in household Xbox One Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U iphone that is owned/used by others in household Other Smartphone that is yours, personally Other tablets that is yours, personally Other tablets that are owned/used by others in household I don't play games online/connected through WiFi Refused N=0 N= N= N= 7 * * * * * * * 7 * * * 0 A0. Which, if any, of the following devices do you use for online gameplay? Base: All gamers
Online Gameplay Compared to Five Years Ago Half of online gamers report playing games online more than they did five years ago, with about onequarter each saying much more, and onequarter saying somewhat more. While onequarter say they are playing about the same amount, only about one in five say they are playing less. Top Box Total (N=0) 0 Gamer (N=7) 0 Gamer (N=) 7 0 More (Top Box) 7 7 0 0 7 Male (N=) Female (N=0) 70+ Gamer (N=) Much more 7 Somewhat more 7 About the same Somewhat less Much less % out of online gamers A0. Compared to years ago, would you say you play online games more, less, or about the same amount? Base: Online gamers 7
Solo Versus Interactive Gameplay When asked about the proportion of their game play that is done alone versus with other people, gamers report that most of their game play is done solo (%). Playing video games alone Playing video games with children in person Playing video games with other adults in person Playing video games with children online* Playing video games with other adults online* A0. What proportion of your game play would you say is done alone versus playing other people, such as children or adults? Base: Gamers; *Among Gamers who play online
Preference When Playing Video Games When playing games in person, spouses are the most common challenger, followed by grandchildren and children. Who do you play games with in person? Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N= N= N= N= 0 Spouse/Partner My grandchildren Other family members 7 0 Siblings Friends 0 7 My children 0 0 Coworkers My children's friends Other Refused A0a. If you had to choose, with whom do you most prefer to play video games? Base: Play video games with others A0b. Who do you play games with in person? Base: Play video games with children/other adults
Discussion During Inperson Games When playing games in person, about one in five (%) keep the discussion to mostly about the game, with the oldest gamers most likely to report this (%). Nearly three in ten gamers (%) say they talk mostly about the game and some about nonvideo game topics, while another three in ten (%) say they talk half and half about the game and other things. 0 7 All or nearly all of our discussion is about the game Most of our discussion is about the game, and some of it is about nonvideo game topics Total Gamer N= Most of our discussion is about nonvideo game topics, and some of it is about the game All or nearly all of our discussion is about nonvideo game topics About half of our discussion is about the game and half is about nonvideo game topics 0 Gamer 0 Gamer N= N= Refused 70+ Gamer N= A0c. When you play games with others in person, how much of your discussion is only about the game? Base: Play video games with children/other adults 0
Partners in Online Game Play The plurality of online gamers who play with other adults say the adults they play with are strangers who they don t interact with regularly. Next most common are online playing partners are family (0%) and friends they know off line (%). Total Gamer N=7 I met them in the game and we play together regularly I met them somewhere else online but we play together regularly They are strangers and I don't interact with them regularly 0 Gamer N= They are friends who I know offline They are my family Refused * 0 Gamer N= 70+ Gamer N= 7 7 0 0 7 0 A0d. How did you meet the adults you play games with online? Base: Play video games with other adults online
Interaction with Online Game Partners The majority of online gamers report interacting very little with their online game play partners, other than to see their game information. Only about one in six say they have frequent interactions/discussion about both video game and nonvideo game topics. How much do you typically interact with others when you play games with them online? I see their game information, but we interact very little What are your top reasons for playing games with others? Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N=0 N=70 N=0 It's more fun/interesting 7 7 We have short interactions and occasional discussions that are entirely focused on the game We have frequent interactions and discussions that are entirely focused on the game We have frequent interactions and discussions on both game and nongame related topics 7 Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N=7 N= Refused A0e. How much do you typically interact with others when you play games with them online? Base: Play video games with children/other adults online For competition 0 To stay connected with my family/friends Because others ask me to play with them The game requires it 7 Refused * 0 For companionship 7 Other 0 A0f. What are your top reasons for playing games with others? Base: Play video games with others
Time of Day Most Commonly Play Sizeable proportions of gamers report playing video games at all times of day, but the evening, from pm, is the most popular time, cited by close to half or more of gamers of all ages. Morning (am 0am) Total Gamer N=0 0 Gamer N= 0 Gamer N= 70+ Gamer N= Midday (0am pm) Afternoon (pm pm) Evening (pm pm) Night (pm am) Overnight (am am) % 0% 0% 7% 0% % % 7% % % % 7% % 0% % 7% % 7% % % % 7% 7% % A0. What time of day do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers
Types of Video Games Most Commonly Played Card and tile games, followed closely by puzzles and logic games, are they types of games most often played, cited by close to half of respondents. Card and Tile games, not including gambling/casino games Puzzle and Logic games Trivia, Word, and Traditional Board video games Gambling/casino/poker games Brain games that test memory and attention span Arcade Games Shooter games Action/adventure games Sports games Racing games Educational games Realtime strategy games in which the player gathers and manages resources in real time Life Simulation games Fitness games Flight games RolePlaying games, not in a continuous world Fighting games Dance games Musicbased games Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Games (MMORPG) that are not kidoriented Kidoriented Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Games Other Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= 7 7 0 0 0 7 * 7 * A0. Please select the types of games that you typically like to play online or offline, on any system or device. Base: All gamers
Favorite Types of Video Games Card and tile games, puzzle and logic games, followed distantly by trivia, word and traditional board video games top the list of respondents three favorite types of video games. The youngest gamers most prefer puzzle and logic games, while oldest gamers most prefer card and tile games. Card and Tile games, not including gambling/casino games Puzzle and Logic games Trivia, Word, and Traditional Board video games Gambling/casino/poker games Brain games that test memory and attention span Arcade Games Shooter games Sports games Action/adventure games Racing games Realtime strategy games in which the player gathers and manages resources in real time Educational games Life Simulation games RolePlaying games, not in a continuous world Flight games Fighting games Fitness games Dance games Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Games (MMORPG) that are not kidoriented Musicbased games Kidoriented Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Games Other Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N= N= N=7 N= 0 7 0 7 7 7 7 * * * 7 7 0 * * * A0a. Please select your three favorite types of games from the list below that you typically like to play. Base: All gamers
Recent Activity on Video Game Consoles Among those who own a video gaming console, the most common activities for which it was used in the past three months (other than playing a game) include browsing the Internet, watching videos on YouTube and streaming content through Netflix. Browsed the Internet Watched videos on YouTube Streamed a movie/tv show through Netflix account Watched a movie on a standard DVD Watched a movie on a Blu Ray Disc Listened to music (CD) Accessed files (pictures, music, movies) from your PC Streamed music through services like Pandora, Spotify, Last.fm, etc. Downloaded a full game for free Streamed a movie/tv show through Amazon Instant Video Downloaded a movie/tv show (rental) Downloaded a full game I paid for Downloaded a movie/tv show (purchased) Downloaded a game demo Streamed a movie/tv show through Hulu Plus account Downloaded add on content/map packs/expansion packs for a game Created an avatar Downloaded a theme Downloaded a game trailer Downloaded items for an avatar None of the above Total Yes Gamer No Gamer N=7 N=0 N=0 7 7 0 0 0 0 7 * * * 7 B0. Which of the following activities, if any, have you done in the past months on any of your gaming consoles? Base: Own Video Game Consoles
Influence and Discovery 7
Video Game Related Purchases In total, % of gamers have made any purchase in the past months. Of the gamers who made purchases, 77% bought for themselves, while % bought for others. The most common purchase gamers made for themselves in the last six months was downloadable content and paid digital apps. The most common items they purchased for their children or others was gaming accessories and video game consoles. Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= Purchased for self Downloadable content Paid digital apps Full digital game for PC or console Full physical game for PC or console Accessories Consoles Portable/Handheld gaming device 7 Purchased for children/others Accessories Consoles Full physical game for PC or console Paid digital apps 7 Portable/Handheld gaming device Downloadable content Full digital game for PC or console B0. Thinking about the past months, which of the following have you purchased? Base: All gamers
Influence of Children or Grandchildren Among gamers with children (70%) and grandchildren (0%), about one in six say their offspring have a significant influence on how they learn about new video games and video game technology, what video games they buy, and how to play new video games and video game technology. Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N= N=7 N= N= 7 0 0 On what video games or video game devices I buy Have significant influence Have some influence Have very little influence Have no influence Refused 0 0 7 7 On learning how to play new video games or video game technology Have significant influence Have some influence Have very little influence Have no influence Refused 7 7 On how I learn about new video games or video game technology Have significant influence Have some influence Have very little influence Have no influence Refused C0b. My children (or grandchildren). Base: Gamers/Have Children/Grandchildren
Learning About New Video Games/Video Game Hardware Half of gamers overall (0%) say they learn about new video games/video game hardware from nonwebsites, mostly via wordofmouth, including onequarter from adult family/friends; 0% from children; % from grandchildren. Onethird (%) cite websites, mostly social networking websites (7%). Nonwebsites (0% NET) Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= Adult family and friends 7 My children 0 My grandchildren Advertising or media articles around brain health games Article in magazine, newspaper, or online Sales promotions, incentives or coupons from stores or websites 0 0 Websites (% NET) Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= Social networking web site 7 7 Search engines 0 0 0 * Game company web sites Video game web sites/blogs Retailer web sites Official game web sites Forums, message boards, chat rooms Videosharing web sites Other web sites C0. How do you generally learn about new games or gaming hardware? Base: All gamers 0
Learning About New Video Games/Video Game Hardware Onequarter of gamers overall (%) say they learn about new video games/video game hardware from ads, mostly from TV ads (%). About one in five say they learned by trying before buying (%), mostly apps. Just % learn about new video games/video game hardware in stores. Ads (% NET) Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= Apps 0 0 Online demo of the game 7 7 0 Instore demos Rentals * 0 7 Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= 7 Magazine ads Billboard TV ads Online banner ads or popup ads Email blasts, newsletters or email alerts Trying Before Buying (% NET) C0. How do you generally learn about new games or gaming hardware? Base: All gamers In the Store (% NET) See it on the store shelf Browsing networks Instore posters or signs Salesperson/store recommendation
Age First Played Video Game The average age that gamers played their first video game was 0. Most of the youngest gamers first started playing in their teens, whereas the plurality of midaged gamers started in their 0s, and the plurality of the oldest gamers started in their late 0s. Total Gamer 0 Gamer 0 Gamer 70+ Gamer N=0 N= N= N= Less than * * 70 * 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 7 0 70 7 7+ 0 MEDIAN 0 7 7 C0. Approximately how old were you the first time you played a video game? Base: All gamers
Video Game Use Throughout Life One in five gamers say they have continued to play some type of video game ever since they played their first video game. A plurality (%) have played off and on since then. Total Gamer N=0 Definitely, I've always played some type of video game 7 0 Gamer N= 0 Somewhat, I've played offandon since then Not really, there were long periods when I wasn't playing 0 Gamer N= Not at all, I have just gotten back into playing games 70+ Gamer N= C0. Have you continued to play video games since that time? Base: All gamers
Reasons for Playing Video Games The top reason gamers say they play video games is to have fun. This is true across all age groups, with the exception of the oldest gamers, whose top reason is to stay mentally sharp. Women are more likely than men to say they play games to help stay mentally sharp (7% vs. %) and to learn something new (0% vs. %). Total Gamer N= 0 To have fun To help stay mentally sharp To relieve boredom 7 To be challenged/solve problems To spend time with family To learn something new 0 Gamer N= 0 7 7 0 0 Gamer N= 7 0 70+ Gamer N= 0 7 0 0 To spend time with friends 7 7 0 To stay connected and have someone to do things with 7 Extremely important Very important C0. How important to you are the following reasons for playing video games? Base: All gamers
Video or Online Gaming to Learn Something New Just over one in ten respondents report having played a video or online game specifically to learn something new, with gamers more likely than nongamers to have done so (% versus %). Total (N=) Yes Gamer (N=0) No Gamer (N=) % % % % % % % 7% Yes, for selfdirected learning % Yes, for work or school courses No D0. Have you ever played a video or online game specifically to learn something new (could include both selfdirected learning and workrequired courses)? [Note: a respondent could answer yes to both options in the question] Base: All respondents
Interest in Playing Games to Learn New Skills/Ideas Nearly onequarter (%) of respondents say they are very/somewhat interested in playing games to learn new skills or ideas, with gamers (%) more likely than nongamers (%) to be very/somewhat interested. Interested (Very or Somewhat) Total (N=) 7 Total Gamer (N=0) Total NonGamer (N=) D0. How interested are you in playing games specifically to learn new skills or ideas? Base: All respondents Total Males (N=0) Total Females (N=) 7 Very interested Somewhat interested
Video or Online Games to Stay Healthy Close to one in five respondents say they are very/somewhat interested in using video games and video game devices to stay healthy, with onequarter of gamers saying so, compared to % of nongamers. Very interested Somewhat interested 0 (N=0) 0 0 (N=0) 70+ (N=7) 7 0 (N=7) 7 0 (N=) 7 70+ (N=7) 0 (N=707) 7 0 (N=) 70+ (N=) TOTAL Total (N=) GAMER Total Gamer (N=0) 7 NONGAMER Total NonGamer (N=) 7 Male (n=0) Female (n=) Very interested Somewhat interested D0. How interested are you in using games and gaming devices to stay healthy? Base: All respondents 7
Interest in Playing Online Games With Others Relatively few of those who currently do not play online games with others express any interest in doing so, with fewer than one in six (%) saying they are very/somewhat interested. Looking at a list of possible reasons for disinterest, the top response among those who are not interested is that they don t want to play games with people they don t know (%), followed by security concerns (%). Total (N=7) Total N = 7 0 Gamers N = NonGamers N = I don't want to play with people I don't know Total Gamer (N=) Somewhat interested Interested (Very or Somewhat) Total Males (N=) Total Females (N=) The games I usually play don't have an option to play with others Total NonGamer (N=) Very interested I'm concerned about my security I'm not sure how to set up multiperson games 0 Other Refused I'm not sure how to find others to play with online 0 0 D07a. How interested are you in playing games online with other people? Base = NonGamers and Gamers Who Do Not Play Online With Others D07c. What stops you from playing games online with others? Base = NonGamers and Gamers Who Do Not Play Online With Others and Are Not Interested in Playing Online Games with Others
Reasons for Not Playing Video Games Nongamers say the main reason they don t play electronic games is that they find them uninteresting, cited by more than onethird. Another % say they believe video games are for younger people and % say they prefer nonvideo games. I find them boring or uninteresting Video games are for younger people Females (N=) I prefer to play nonvideo games I'm not sure how the technology works 0 I'm afraid of privacy and security issues Other Refused Males (N=7) D0. Why don t you play electronic games? Base: Nongamers
Appendix 0
Where Specific Devices/Systems Are Used
Where Typically Play Video Games Looked at across specific devices, as the following tables show, most users play video games at home. Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=7* N=0* N=* N=* At home 7 00 00 At work When I'm bored in general Refused 0 N=0 N=7 N=* N=* At home 00 70 When I'm bored in general 7 At work Other Refused A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) PlayStation PlayStation Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N= N=* N=0* N=* At home 0 When I'm bored in general Other 0 Refused 00 N= N=* N=* N=* At home 7 00 7 When I'm bored in general 0 When waiting for others Refused 7 A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Xbox 0 Xbox One Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=7 N= N=* N=* At home 7 0 00 When I'm bored in general 7 At work Refused 0 A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* At home 7 00 00 When I'm bored in general * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Game Boy Nintendo DS/DS/DSi/DSi XL Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* At home 7 00 00 At work A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=7* N=* N=* N=0 At home When I'm bored in general 0 When waiting for others 7 When commuting (car/train/bus) In airports or on planes 7 At work Other * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Nintendo DS/DS XL Sony PSP/PSPgo Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* N=* N=* N=* N=0 At home 77 7 7 00 At home When commuting (car/train/bus) 0 0 When commuting (car/train/bus) When I'm bored in general 0 0 0 When waiting for others In airports or on planes 0 When I'm bored in general When waiting for others 0 At other people's homes 0 At work 7 A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Sony PS Vita Regular cell phone Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* At home 7 00 00 In airports or on planes 00 A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N= N=* N=* N=* At home 7 When I'm bored in general 0 At other people's homes When waiting for others When commuting (car/train/bus) In airports or on planes Other Refused * Small base 7
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) iphone that is yours, personally iphone that is owned/used by others in household Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=0 N= N=0 N= 7 0 0 7 0 7 0 7 Other Refused At home When I'm bored in general When waiting for others In airports or on planes When commuting (car/train/bus) At work When waiting in line At other people's homes A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers N=* N=* N=* N=* 7 00 0 At work Refused 7 At home When I'm bored in general When waiting for others In airports or on planes When commuting (car/train/bus) When waiting in line At other people's homes * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Android Smartphone that is yours, personally Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer Android Smartphone that is owned/used by others in household Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N= N= N= N=* 7 7 At home 7 At other people's homes In airports or on planes When I'm bored in general 0 0 7 Other Refused At home When I'm bored in general When waiting for others At work In airports or on planes When commuting (car/train/bus) When waiting in line At other people's homes A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers N=* N=* N=7* N=* 70 Other Refused 0 * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Other Smartphone that is yours, personally Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* 00 00 00 00 At work In airports or on planes At home When I'm bored in general When waiting for others When commuting (car/train/bus) A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Other Smartphone that is owned/used by others in the household Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer When waiting in line N=* N=* N=0 N=0 00 00 * Small base 0
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Portable digital music player ipod touch Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* 00 00 At home 00 At other people's homes When I'm bored in general When commuting (car/train/bus) A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* At home 77 00 00 When commuting (car/train/bus) * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in household Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N= N= N= N= At home 0 0 At work 7 When waiting in line When I'm bored in general When waiting for others In airports or on planes At other people's homes When commuting (car/train/bus) When waiting in line Other Refused At home When I'm bored in general In airports or on planes When waiting for others When commuting (car/train/bus) At other people's homes A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Other N=0 N=* N=* N=* 7 0 0 * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Other tablets that is yours, personally Other tablets that are owned/used by others in household Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=0 N=0 N= N=0 At home 7 When I'm bored in general When waiting in line 0 At work When waiting in line N= N=* N=* N=* 70 00 At work When waiting for others Other 7 Refused Other 7 Refused At home When I'm bored in general When waiting for others When commuting (car/train/bus) In airports or on planes At other people's homes A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Apple Watch or other smart watch Personal desktop computer Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=0 At work 00 When I'm bored in general At home A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers N= N= N= N= 7 At work Other Refused 7 At home When I'm bored in general When waiting for others * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Laptop/netbook Kidoriented systems Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N= N=7 N= N=0 7 At home 7 At other people's homes When commuting (car/train/bus) When waiting for others Other ** Refused At home When I'm bored in general At other people's homes When waiting for others At work In airports or on planes When commuting (car/train/bus) A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers At work N=* N=* N=* N=0 00 * Small base ** Less than 0.%
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Plug & Play/allinone system Apple TV Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=0* N=* N=* N=* At home 00 00 Refused A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer N=* N=* N=* N=* When I'm bored in general At home 00 Refused 7 00 * Small base
Where Typically Play Video Games (cont.) Other Total 0 0 70+ Gamer Gamer Gamer Gamer At home When I'm bored in general At other people's homes In airports or on planes When commuting (car/train/bus) N= N=* N=0* N=* 00 00 00 00 7 7 * Small base A07. Where or when do you typically play video games? Base: All gamers 7
Demographics
Gamers: A Demographic Overview More gamers are more likely to be female than male, and are much more likely to be in households with more than one person than in singleperson households. On average, gamers are years old and have an income of $,000. Total Gamer NonGamer N=0 N= 7 Married Household size: One 7 7 7 7 0 Midwest South West Mean age. (years). (years) Mean income.0 (000s). (000s) Gender: Male Female More than one Education: Some college or less Bachelor s degree or higher Region: Northeast
Gamers: A Technology Overview Nearly every gamer owns a phone or other mobile device (%) and % own a personal computer. Fully % of gamers report playing games at least a few days a week. Having fun is the most important reason that gamers play video games. The average age that gamers played their first video game is 0. Total Gamer NonGamer Have in Played games on Have in household in past month household N=0 Devices owned: Phone or other mobile device Personal computer (desktop or laptop) Video game console Video game portable Other video game systems (Apple TV, Leapfrog) 0 N= 7 Played games in past month Play video games: Every day Every day/few days a week Favorite types of video game: Card and Tile Puzzle and Logic Trivia, Word, and Traditional Board video games Reasons for playing video games: To have fun To help stay mentally sharp To relieve boredom Average (median) age of playing first video game 0 7 77 0 (years) 70
Gender and Age Total (N=) Mean (years) Yes Gamer (N=0).. 7%. % % 7% % Male % Female % 0% No Gamer (N=) % % % % 0 % 0 % 0% 70+ 7
Marital Status and Head of Household Head of household Total (N= ) Yes Gamer (N= 0) No Gamer (N= ) 7 0 0 Married Widowed Divorced Separated Never married Living with partner Yes No 7
Household Size and Race/Ethnicity Total (N=) Yes Gamer (N=0) 0% No Gamer (N=) % % 7% 70% 0% % 0% 7% more than % % 0% 7% % 0% 0% 7% White Black Other % % 0% 7% Hispanic + Races 7
Education and Employment Status Total (N= ) Yes Gamer (N= 0) No Gamer (N= ) 7 7 Less than high school High School Some college Bachelor's degree or higher Working paid employee Working selfemployed Not working on temporary layoff Not working looking for work Retired Not working disabled Not working other 7
Income Total (N=) Mean (thousands) 7.7 % % Yes Gamer (N=0) No Gamer (N=).0. 0% 0% % % less than $,000 % % % $K $7, $7K or more 7
Region and Metro Status Total (N=) % % Yes Gamer (N=0) % % 7% % 7% Northeast % 0% % Midwest 7% % Metro No Gamer (N=) % % South % % West % % NonMetro 7
Questionnaire 77
I. INTRODUCTION Thank you for participating in our survey. The purpose of this study is to understand how Americans feel about different elements of their lives. All of the information you provide is completely anonymous, and will be grouped with many other survey respondents. There are no right or wrong answers; we only seek your best, most accurate answers or estimates. II. SCREENER Base: ALL RESPONDENTS S0. [M] Which of the following systems or devices do you currently have in your home? Please think about those systems or devices that are currently being used by at least one member of your household. SCRIPTER: RANDOMIZE FIRST BLOCKS (A, B, C, D) SHOW HEADERS BUT DO NOT SHOW LETTERS WITH HEADINGS; RANDOMIZE WITHIN ALL BLOCKS EXCEPT FOR C A) Video Game Consoles Nintendo Wii Nintendo Wii U PlayStation PlayStation Xbox 0 Xbox One B) Portable Gaming Devices Game Boy (Advance, Advance SP or Micro) Nintendo DS/DS/DSi/DSi XL Nintendo DS/DS XL Sony PSP/PSPgo Sony PS Vita C) Phones & Other Mobile Devices DO NOT RANDOMIZE THIS LIST Regular cell phone (not including iphone or other Smartphones) iphone that is yours, personally iphone that is owned/used by others in household Android Smartphone that is yours, personally Android Smartphone that is owned/used by others in household Other Smartphone (not including iphone or Android; for example a Blackberry) that is yours, personally Other Smartphone (not including iphone or Android; for example a Blackberry) that is owned/used by others in the household [SPACE] Portable digital music player (not including ipod touch; for ex. ipod, Sansa, Zune, etc.) ipod touch [SPACE] ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is yours, personally ipad/ipad mini/ipad Pro that is owned/used by others in household Other tablets (for ex. Samsung Galaxy, Kindle Fire, Nook Color; etc. Not including ipad) that is yours, personally Other tablets (for ex. Samsung Galaxy, Kindle Fire, Nook Color; etc. Not including ipad) that are owned/used by others in household [SPACE] Apple Watch or other smart watch 7
D) Computers/Laptops Personal desktop computer Laptop/netbook E) Other Video Game Systems [ANCHOR] Kidoriented systems (for ex., Leapfrog Leapster, Vtech V.Smile, etc.) Plug & Play/allinone system (for ex., Namco TV Games, Atari Classics, etc.) Apple TV Other system or device for playing video games not listed here: [ANCHOR] None of these electronic devices are in the household [ANCHOR] SCRIPTER: PROMPT IF Other system IS SELECTED BUT NO TEXT IS ENTERED SCRIPTER: IF NONE OF THESE SKIP TO D0 = NONGAMERS [DOV_ELIGIBLE = ] Base: ASK S0 IF S0 = ANY DEVICE S0. [M] Which of these systems or devices do you personally use for playing video games at least once per month? This could be any type of gaming. SCRIPTER: PIPE IN DEVICES FROM SO (INCLUDING OTHER SYSTEM ). DO NOT SHOW HEADINGS [SPACE] I do not currently play games, but I used to [EXCLUSIVE] [ANCHOR] I have never played video games [EXCLUSIVE] [ANCHOR] SCRIPTER: IN S0 = IF YES TO or, OR NO TO ALL DEVICES PIPED IN FROM S0, THEN SKIP to D0. THESE = NONGAMERS [DOV_ELIGIBLE = ] DOV_ELIGIBLE Gamers NonGamers SCRIPTOR: AFTER DOV_ELIGIBLE EVERY OTHER NONGAMER RESPONDENT SHOULD TERM. 7
III. MAIN A. GAMING HABITS Base: All Gamers = Any Device in S0 A0. [S] Generally speaking, how often do you play video games? This could be on any device. Every day A few days a week Once a week A few days a month Once a month Less often than once a month Base: All Gamers = Any Device in S0 A0. [S PER DEVICE] How many hours per week would you say that you personally spend gaming on each of the following devices? SCRIPTER: :Pipe in the devices from S0. For each device, show a pull down with answers: PULL DOWN Less than hour [PRECODE AS 0 BUT USE 0. AS VALUE FOR CALCULATIONS] hour hours hours hours CONTINUE UP TO 0 HOURS or more hours Base: All Gamers = Any Device in S0 A0. [M] Which, if any, of the following devices do you use for online gameplay? Please note that in order to play online the device must be connected to the internet to play (hardwired or through WiFi). So, for example, if you are playing with or against opponents who are not physically present or if the game you are playing is on a web site within a web browser then you are probably playing online. SCRIPTER: PIPE IN DEVICES FROM SO. DO NOT SHOW HEADINGS. I don t play games online/connected through WiFi [ANCHOR] 0
Base: If ANY in A0 A0. [S] Compared to years ago, would you say you play online games more, less, or about the same amount? Much more Somewhat more About the same Somewhat less Much less Base: All Gamers = Any Device in S0 A0. [S PER for each type of game play] What proportion of your game play would you say is done alone versus playing other people, such as children or adults? Your total play time should add to 00%. Playing video games Playing video games Playing video games Playing video games Playing video games [RANGE: 000%] alone with children in person with other adults in person with children online with other adults online [TOTAL MUST ADD TO 00%] SCRIPTOR: Show codes and only if A0 (online gaming) do not show if I don t play games online is selected Base: If in A0, does not = 00% A0a. [S] If you had to choose, with whom do you most prefer to play video games? Prefer Prefer Prefer Prefer Prefer playing playing playing playing playing alone with children in person with other adults in person equally with children and adults in person with others online
Base: If in A0, and/or are greater than 0% A0b. [M] Who do you play games with in person? Spouse/Partner Siblings Other family members Friends Coworkers My children My grandchildren My children s friends Other (Please specify) Base: If in A0, and/or are greater than 0% A0c. [S] When you play games with others in person, how much of your discussion is only about the game? All or nearly all of our discussion is about the game Most of our discussion is about the game, and some of it is about nongaming topics About half of our discussion is about the game and half is about nongaming topics Most of our discussion is about nongaming topics, and some of it is about the game All or nearly all of our discussion is about nongaming topics Base: If in A0, is greater than 0% A0d. [M] How did you meet the adults you play games with online? I met I met They They They them in the game and we play together regularly them somewhere else online but we play together regularly are strangers and I don t interact with them regularly are friends who I know offline are my family Base: If in A0, and/or are greater than 0% A0e. [S] How much do you typically interact with others when you play games with them online? I see their game information, but we interact very little We have short interactions and occasional discussions that are entirely focused on the game We have frequent interactions and discussions that are entirely focused on the game We have frequent interactions and discussions on both game and nongame related topics
Base: If in A0, does not = 00% A0f. [M] What are your top reasons for playing games with others? For competition For companionship To stay connected with my family/friends Because others ask me to play with them It s more fun/interesting The game requires it Other (Please specify) Base: All Gamers = Any Device in S0 A07. [M] Where or when do you typically play video games? SCRIPTER: PIPE IN DEVICES FROM SO. DO NOT SHOW HEADINGS. SHOW AS GRID. REPEAT LOCATION LIST AT BOTTOM: At home At work At other people s homes When commuting (car/train/bus) In airports or on planes When waiting in line When waiting for others When I m bored in general Other (Please specify) [ANCHOR] Base: All Gamers = Any Device in S0 A0. [M] What time of day do you typically play video games? Morning (am 0am) Midday (0am pm) Afternoon (pm pm) Evening (pm pm) Night (pm am) Overnight (am am)