Women and Older Adults Now Dominate U.S. Gamer Demographics, New Study Reveals
WASHINGTON D.C. – Challenging long-held stereotypes, a new global study reveals a notable shift in the makeup of the gaming community, with women now comprising the majority of gamers in the United States.while globally, 51% of gamers identify as male and 48% as female, the American landscape differs markedly, with 52% identifying as female. the trend extends beyond the U.S., with even higher female representation in countries like Brazil (57%) and South Africa (58%).
The findings, detailed in a recent report, highlight a broadening definition of what constitutes a “video game,” moving beyond traditional console and PC titles. Today’s gaming ecosystem encompasses puzzle games, role-playing games, strategy games, simulations, and increasingly, mobile games played on smartphones and tablets.
“The misconception is that people think of video games as ‘I’m sitting down at my PC or console, and I’m playing a first person shooter game,'” explained Aubrey Quinn, senior vice president at the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), in an interview with Variety.”that’s really an unfortunate stereotype that has stuck to video games. Just like movies or music, there is a genre for everyone.”
The study points to the popularity of accessible games like online versions of Sudoku, solitaire, Monopoly, Wordle, and the New York Times Crossword puzzle as key drivers of this demographic shift, attracting a wider range of players.
Beyond simply entertainment,the research indicates gaming offers significant benefits. Respondents reported feeling less stressed, anxious, and alone through gameplay, while also experiencing increased creativity and mental sharpness. A substantial 76% of those surveyed noted improved problem-solving abilities, and half (50%) reported a positive impact on their professional education or careers due to skills acquired through gaming.
“The skill sets that people experience through gameplay translate outside of gameplay,” Quinn told Variety. “They say, ‘This makes me more resilient. This makes me more adaptable and more teamwork oriented. my reading skills are improved. My problem solving skills are improved.’ Being able to figure out new strategies and accomplish something, those are skills that players experience, and we’ve seen academics and researchers really begin to validate that player experience.”
The ESA emphasizes that, like other popular cultural forms throughout history – from the printing press to rock and roll – video games have faced unwarranted stigma. “They even thought that the printing press was bound to make us all lazy,” Quinn quipped. “I think there is a little bit of a stubborn misconception about video games and the impact they have. Research shows that there are enormous mental, social, economic, positive benefits of game play and game creation.”