Over half of U.S. adults play computer games

[LChoy]

People from all walks of life play, though younger adults are far more likely to play than seniors, proof that video games are mainstream entertainment for the generations that grew up with them. In all, 81 per cent of respondents between 18 and 29 said they play games, compared with 23 per cent of people 65 and older.
Another Pew survey this fall found that nearly every teenager — 97 per cent — is a gamer.

A surprising finding in Pew's report was the discrepancy between the education levels of gamers and non-gamers. While video games may not make you smarter, a college education means you're more likely to play them. Some 57 per cent of respondents who went to at least some college said they play games, compared with 51 per cent of high school graduates and just 40 per cent of people who have less than a high-school education. Lenhart said there is no obvious reason for the difference.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...lts-games.html

[GoinAllTheWay]

I officially entered the gamer scence when I played Doom across a LAN for the first time ever. Got even worse when I discovered Counter Strike online. Haven't looked back since. Will be a gamer for life I'm sure.

[Russic]

So when a snobbish member of my family decides this christmas to turn up their nose at my favorite little hobby I can rip into them for being abnormal? Delightful!

[LChoy]

Started with playing LORD and USURPER on my local BBS and then my first nintendo.

I think like anything you do, as long as it doesn't take control of your life, video gaming shouldn't be viewed as a bad thing. Like the article said, a lot of the gamers are educated and have jobs. It's a great way to relieve some stress or escape reality temporarily. Afterall, you can only legally get that small satisfaction of sniping someone in the head from 500m out in a video game, and not in real life (unless you were in the military or something)

[Superflyer]

I am a little suprised at the last quote saying that the smarter you are the more likely you are to game, I thought it would have been the other way around. Not saying that only dumb people game I just thought that "Harvard Grads" would not be caught dead gaming. I am going to use this one when someone looks down at me for gaming, I can just say "Well you must be one of the lesser educated folks. Here is a deck of cards, good bye."

[ken0042]

I guess I would want them to define what they were looking for regarding video games. For example, my mom plays a bunch of card games on the computer- but I wouldn't call her a "gamer." But if she was asked on a survey "do you play computer games" she would respond "yes."

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I guess I would want them to define what they were looking for regarding video games. For example, my mom plays a bunch of card games on the computer- but I wouldn't call her a "gamer." But if she was asked on a survey "do you play computer games" she would respond "yes."

As with any survey, the people who funded it get a say at how the questions are worded, how the data is analyzed, and how that data is compiled in terms of a report.

Chances are your mom is a gamer by their defintion.

[jammies]

I can see how 97 percent of teenagers play games now; my little nephews aren't happy unless they are holding a (disconnected) controller while uncle jammies, my brother and my older nephew are playing games. They'll watch fascinated for hours on end without complaining, and I'm sure they are already addicts.

[burn_baby_burn]

When your a student you have a lot of free time during the day. Maybe that is why so many college educated people are gamers. I know I played NHL 94 about 100 times a day, with my room mates or class mates when I was in college. How many people on here had the college roommate who missed a couple days of school playing video games?

[malcolmk14]

When GTA San Andreas came out in 04, my friend missed a week straight of class.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

When GTA San Andreas came out in 04, my friend missed a week straight of class.

I don't think my roommate went to class for two weeks after WoTLK launched.

[Flames89]

Originally Posted by Russic

So when a snobbish member of my family decides this christmas to turn up their nose at my favorite little hobby I can rip into them for being abnormal? Delightful!

This is funny.

GFs, parents, siblings hum and haw about what to get you, meanwhile there is a present I have IMMENSELY enjoyed receiving ever since I was 10 - a videogame. Now a "mature" adult, and if my gf wraps me up a game, believe me I will be much happier than some present that she would like to see me have (certain exceptions granted).

[llama64]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I guess I would want them to define what they were looking for regarding video games. For example, my mom plays a bunch of card games on the computer- but I wouldn't call her a "gamer." But if she was asked on a survey "do you play computer games" she would respond "yes."

Most of these studies do exactly this, leading to some people getting misconceptions. So I usually cringe when I hear some nerd proclaim these stats as some sort of validation of their hobby.

When a "gamer" thinks of "Video Games", they correlate this with things like consoles, and computer games like WoW/FPS. The people who respond assume that online poker, PopCap and other such things are "video games" (not that they are wrong).

Different groups have different definitions.

[Buff]

My wife's family does the pick a name out of a hat gift exchange thingy. Then we have to write out a list of what we want. 6 straight Christmases and I've put some video games on the list, but nobody has bought me one yet. Nobody has said anything to me but I know that they think it is childish to play games. My brother-in-law won't let his kids play video games in his house, and my wife's parents are just old school.

Of the people I play online with, most of them are over 30. One of the clans I've played with was a bunch of guys in their 50s and 60s.

[burn_baby_burn]

^^^ When your older than 50 the kids should be out of the house. That would free up some spare time to play video games. I used to play a lot until I had kids. Now I might play guitar hero with my daughter every couple of weeks if I'm lucky.

[GreenLantern]

I have been gaming since I can remember, I also played a poop ton of sports growing up. I still play rec hockey and enjoy it thoroughly. Nerd isn't a term you can apply to video games anymore, because EVERYONE from our generation plays them. And if you think our generation is bad, look at the kids that followed us. Anyone who was born in the late 70s/early 80's to witness the birth of Nintendo is hooked on gaming. I remember playing Load runner on my commodore 64 when i was like 4 years old..

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Nerd isn't a term you can apply to video games anymore

So true! While there still is some form of 'nerd' stigma surrounding games like WoW and things of that nature. However as has already been stated that is not the case. In fact I know a few people who play WoW that if you saw them on the street you probably wouldn't peg them as the type!

[cyclone3483]

I'd reply to this thread, but I am busy trying to level up my Smithing in Runescape.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

^^^ When your older than 50 the kids should be out of the house. That would free up some spare time to play video games. I used to play a lot until I had kids. Now I might play guitar hero with my daughter every couple of weeks if I'm lucky.

I have kids. I just play at night after they've gone to bed. Sometimes I cut off an hour or two of sleep to play my games.

and by sometimes I mean just about every day.

[Ozy_Flame]

I'm a gamer for life, I can't wait until I'm retired. F*** Florida and lawn bowling, I'm gonna LAN everyday until I'm dead, and have myself buried with my original nintendo in my casket. That's the plan.