A report in 2012 revealed interesting statistics about the modern gamer and the increase in adults and women playing computer games. Over half of gamers, the report stated, are over 18 years of age with the average gamer aged 30. The industry’s fastest demographic of gamers are women over the age of 18. This group represents a larger proportion of gamers than the stereotypical game-playing group – boys aged 18 or younger. Even more surprising is the fact that almost half of all gamers – 47% – are women.

This increase in older gamers and women in particular may be down to the changing attitudes of parents towards their children playing computer games. More positive attitudes towards games consoles and games may have persuaded more parents – and mums in particular – to join in gaming themselves. The same report stated that 66% of adults believed that computer games provide mental stimulation or education. Parents may also be joining in with gaming and becoming players themselves as a result of changing attitudes towards the part played in family life – 61% believe that games encourage their family to spend time together.

Another factor contributing to the rise in older gamers may be the recent research reporting the benefits of games for older audiences. A 2008 study concluded that playing computer games exercised the mind and helped to improve memory and alertness. This report differed from earlier studies, as it stated that the benefits of playing computer games were not only immediate, but lasted after game-play had stopped, and transferred to everyday tasks for weeks afterwards.

Strategy games are a great way of keeping the brain active as they involve completing numerous tasks which test brain power, such as mathematic, logic and visual tests, many of which have to be completed simultaneously. It should come as no surprise that more older people are playing video games, and perhaps choosing this form of media over others in an attempt to ‘exercise’ their brains. Statistics from 2011 showed that playing games was more than twice as engaging, compared with other forms of media.

In general, older gamers will have more disposable income to splash out on consoles and accessories than teens, and gaming companies have used this to their advantage. Products are increasingly being aimed at older generations: television adverts for the Nintendo DS for example, featured mature actors Julie Walters and Patrick Stewart to appeal to audiences of a similar age.

The audience for computer games has broadened hugely and now game-play is not solely associated with teenage boys. More women and older generations are enjoying the benefits of playing computer games and the industry is benefitting financially as a result.

– William Cecil

The survey also revealed that of the 60 percent who play on mobile devices, 63% play multiplayer or social games.

Men gamers tend to be a bit more insular when comes to mobile gaming, with only 52 percent owning up to playing social and multiplayer mobile titles. EEDAR says that’s why women tend to influence the social and mobile space more than men, because they send out more requests, hence making a title more visible.

“What we are finding is tapping into that female client is more important than ever before. It really is changing the face of gaming,” EEDAR’s Jesse Divnich said.

Because of these results, the company Zynga, which is making a hostile push into the mobile and social spaces, value women more than it does men.

“What has changed with these new touch-screen devices is that it has made [games] much more accessible to everybody,” senior vice president Travis Boatman said.

“Women gravitate to games that were designed for the [mobile] platform because they are much more intuitive to them,” he added.

Big Fish, another mobile-focused developer is also eyeing that lucrative market of women gamers.

“You would think Texas Hold ‘Em would skew male,” CEO Paul Thelen said. “But we are seeing 65% of the revenue coming from females.

If you are building for mobile and you want to scale to the broadest possible audience of purchasers, you do need to absolutely focus on the female.”

EEDAR surveyed 2,491 active mobile gamers between 15 and 64 years of age in harvesting this data.

A study conducted by Doritos which surveyed 2,052 people, has found women who play online games prefer it to having a bath, shopping, exercising or having sex. It’s time to takeaway that console from her.

The survey also found that 84 percent enjoy their gaming sessions compared to the 70 percent who enjoy sex. One in five admitted to playing online while in bed. It’s time for fresh meat, I reckon.

The study found that participants spend an average of 3.5 hours a week playing online, while women spent 23.1 percent gaming online compared to the 22.3 percent spent by males.

Other statistics inculde: 62 percent liked to work out; 71 percent liked to shop; and 75 percent enjoyed having a relaxing bath.

More through MCV.

It has always seemed weird to me how something so seemingly unisex as gaming is dominated by such a degree by one sex. Sure girls play videogames as well (maybe more than you think), and the number of girl gamers is increasing, but they are still the minority.

The most obvious reason for this is that video games are made by men, and therefore for men. Sit through the credits of any game and you are likely to see a long list of male names, with only the occasional female. And when you look at what games are most popular, Call Of Duty, Killzone or Halo, it might seem that there isn’t really a place for girls in gaming. But is that really true? I know several girls that love playing such games. And while the top of the charts are usually reserved for such titles, there is still plenty of variety for players who are after something other than shooters.

(The demographic of a recent Gamesthirst video)

But as I said earlier, things do seem to be changing. With gaming on Facebook and more recently smart phones, girls without any previous interest in gaming are spending hours playing Farmville or Angry Birds. So while the majority of girls wouldn’t go out and buy a Playstation to spend a night on killzone 3, they would spend hours playing on their I-phones. Some hardcore gamers may look down there noses at these casual games, regarding them as mere gimmicks. But I believe that they are brilliant starting blocks for virgin gamers to get into the world of gaming. Once people have finished these simple yet addictive games, they will start looking for something with a bit more of a challenge and more depth.

Although while this sudden surge in popularity for casual games may be behind the more recent increase in girl gamers, it doesn’t explain why men were already playing. I personally believe that is more to do with our culture rather than the games themselves. “Girls are given babydolls and told to go take care of it. We are raised to nurture and be sensitive, feminine. Boys are given a toy gun and told to go shoot stuff.” (Alyssa McCoy, girl gamer). This culture could be seen to be a bad thing, as it may be stopping huge amounts of girls from getting into gaming from a younger age. But surely if this is the reason that so many more men play video games compared to woman, it is a better reason than, games simply don’t appeal to women. Culture is always changing, and changing fast. The future seems bright for girl gamers.