Where have all the gaming geeks gone? Aussie report.

Mike Bantick
Friday, 02 February 2007 06:26

Opinion and Analysis

Female gamers are up from 38% in 2004 to 41% in 2006 which is further proof of the stereotype decline in the gamer world. 

This 2007 report provides better evidence of this trend in its comparison of lifestyle choices between those classed as non-gamers and gamers.  Strikingly the percentages of are similar for activities ranging from Shopping to Fishing.

Stark differences between non-gamers and gamers however, are in the attitude and perceptions of the games themselves.  This is most evident in questions around the value of games in society.  Educational value, value in stress reduction and being part of a smart society were the topics showing a major gulf.

So, the IEAA report shows that reality is still different to perception amongst the Australian community at large. The gamer geek myth is still entrenched, even though the industry itself is pushing towards a billion dollar market. Increasingly becoming a standard part of modern life.

By 2014 given current trends, the average age of a gamer will be the same as the average age of a non-gamer (42). Maybe by then gaming perceptions will have changed, as they did for mobile phone use, driving Saabs and using microwave ovens.