As was the case earlier this year, the Sony PlayStation 2 remains the most played console by gamers, despite the fact that the Nintendo Wii has been the best selling console for over 2 years.
According to the latest Nielsen figures, the PS2 accounted for just over 22 percent of all minutes gamers spent playing video games in April followed closely behind by the Microsoft Xbox 360 which accounted for 21 percent. The Wii lost month-on-month, falling from 21 to 18 percent. The PS3 lagged behind at 11 percent.
In terms of games, World of Warcraft on the PC continues to dominate, accounting for 44 percent of all total minutes played in the month. In second place is the popular game Second Life, which accounted for only 6 percent of minutes. Warcraft gamers also averaged about 10 hours of playing time a week for the game, says Neilsen, second only to Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar, where gamers spent on average 15 hours per week playing.
Result for: playing video games
According to new figures from the Entertainment Software Association, 68 percent of American households play video games, an increase of just over 3 percent from 2008.
The report, presented at the E3 Expo, also added that “home console ownership” moved to 42 percent.
Adult gamers have been playing video games for, on average, 12 years, which actually fell year-on-year from 13, suggesting there is an increasing amount of new gamers. The average age of gamers now stands at 35 years old.
“This is the new golden age of entertainment software. Our products are now being enjoyed by over two-thirds of Americans,” added Michael Gallagher, CEO of the ESA. “As the findings of the 2009 Essential Facts illustrate, more and more Americans across all demographics are now embracing the interactive entertainment experience that computer and videogames provide.”
In terms of parental controls, 77 percent of parents said they believed current controls were “useful” and 92 percent said they were with their kids while they played games.
Result for: playing video games
According to a new NPD Group report, 72 percent of all Americans played video games in 2007, up almost 10 percent from 2006. From the group that said they played video games, half of them played games online.
The study, “Online Gaming 2008″ reported that PC was the driving force behind online gaming but that console users were increasing their online playtime.
“Despite the buzz in the industry regarding online gaming, it is still relatively small compared to offline gaming,” said NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier.
“There is still a large, untapped market for gaming in general and online gaming in particular.”
Another interesting note was that children aged 2 to 12 accounted for over 25 percent of online gaming,and that 18 to 24 year-old represented only 10 percent of online gaming.
Not surprisingly, the Xbox 360 was the favored system for consoles and online play and that 360 owners “actually spent more time per week using their console to play games online than PC and PS3 owners.”
The report was based on a survey of 20,240 consumer panel members which was conducted for two weeks earlier this year.
