BEN has 388 chronicles

1. 2008 Essential Industry Facts
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on Jul 25 2008

   While I was at E3 this year, I picked up a fact booklet from the Entertainment Software Association. They're the organization that put E3 together, so I figured it would be fun and good information to have here! Here's the facts that stuck out...
   
   65 percent of American Households play computer of video games.
   
   The average game player age is 35.
   
   In 2008, 26 percent of gamers were over the age of 50.
   
   60 percent of gamers are male. 40 percent are female.
   
   The average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 40.
   
   The average number of years an adult gamer has been playing computer of video gamers is 13.
   
   38 percent of homes in America have a video game console.
   
   Action games are the highest percent of video game sales, with 22.3 percent of the market. Strategy games are the highest percentage of computer game sales, with 33.9 percent.
   
   Top 5 Selling Video Games of 2007
   1. Halo 3 - Xbox 360
   2. Wii Play (w/ remote) - Wii
   3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Xbox 360
   4. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - PS2
   5. Super Mario Galaxy - Wii
   
   Top 5 Selling Computer Games of 2007
   1. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade
   2. World of Warcraft
   3. The Sims 2
   4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
   5. Sim City 4 Deluxe
   
   94 percent of the time, parents (or minors) are present at the time of game purchasing or renting.
   
   63 percent of parents believe games are a positive part of their child's lives.
   
   Top Four Reasons Parents Play Video Games With Their Children
   72 percent - It's fun for the entire family
   71 percent - They're asked to
   66 percent - Good opportunity to socialize with child
   50 percent - Good opportunity to monitor game content
   
   80 percent of parents place time limits on video game playing, 72 percent place time limits on Internet usage, 71 percent place time limits on TV viewing, and 65 percent place time limits on movie viewing.
   
   56 percent of online gamers are male, while 44 percent are female.
   
   With 47 percent of the market, Puzzle/Board/Game Show/Card games are the most played online.
   
   In 2006, computer and video game sales were 7.4 Billion Dollars. This increased in 2007, where computer and video game sales were 9.5 Billion Dollars! This is the highest amount of sales in the history of this type of entertainment.
   
   41 percent of Americans have purchased or plan to purchase one or more games in 2008.
   
   More information can be found on the ESA website, which is www.TheESA.com

   
   

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BEN has 3 comment s on this chronicle.

1. Sn1pe Warman
   Posted On Jul 25 2008

   I also enjoy stats like this . Eat that video game hating politicians!

2. Dynafire
   Posted On Jul 25 2008

   That's a pretty neat factoid you've got there. The average gamer is 35? I never knew that - I thought It would be MUCH younger - like 18-24 or so. This was a fun read. If you find more neat stuff like this, be sure to post it!
   
   Also, I find it incredible that the best selling games in '07 came out in the 4th quarter. The only exception may be Wii play, as I don't remember when that was released.

3. Silent Bob
   Posted On Jul 25 2008

   I'm probably one of the few who read through the stats, but I enjoy this type of stuff immensely.
   
   The average age of gamers has slowly inched up the last few years. When we were researching opening our game center, I think the average age for gamers was 27. I think ESA's numbers are a bit skewed overall because they're counting all the casual gamers too (the ones who play PopCap and other flash-based games when they're supposed to be working!).
   
   The only thing that doesn't belong is Wii Play. 99.99% of its sales can be attributed to people wanting an extra controller and thinking ten bucks isn't so bad for a few more minigames. If it weren't bundled, we wouldn't see it on the list.