Gamers Become Old

Even the average gamer has reached a more mature age nowadays. Ziff Davis conducted a study on 'the mobile gamer'.

According to a recent Pocket Games readership research study conducted by videogame magazine publishing market leader Ziff Davis Media Game Group, portable gamers are shifting to an older and more diverse demographic segment than it has been historically. Pocket Games readers are now 20 years old on average, and 13% of the readership is female compared to 9% in 2003.

The recent popularity of the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP handheld gaming devices appears to be the major impetus for these shifts: the study shows that 42% of Pocket Games readers own a Nintendo DS and 13% plan to purchase one within the next 12 months. Furthermore, 27% of readers currently own a PSP and 57% are considering purchasing one within the next 12 months.

"Some of the new portable devices are designed to appeal to a much more mainstream and upscale audience than the traditional gamer crowd," said John Davison, Vice President and Editorial Director of Ziff Davis Media Game Group. "The PSP especially is geared towards more general consumer use, with its music and media playing capabilities, and the innovative DS continues to retain its strong franchise base."

The study shows cell phone gaming also on the rise, with 38% of mobile phone owners playing games on their phones.

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Comments

• 

  Oh n0ES iAM> 24, 1m tOo old!!1one!shift+1!!

  skarma, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  (?) ...I remember when you claimed you were just 14.

  J-Fox, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  i'm 14 =) turning 15 in a few months

  tiamat1990, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  I am, I was exaggerating.

  skarma, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  I'm 15.

  Fish, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  57% are considering getting a PSP... "Oh, yeah, I wanna get a PSP! OMFG! IT COSTS HOW MUCH???" I dunno, just a thought...

  Nintendude, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  I'm 127.

  Andrew, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
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  i just turned 14 yesterday! woot for me!

  NiNe9cEnTs, 30-11--0001 at 00:00