Wah! Grandpa is playing my MMORPG!

SpiritofGame · December 2005

Seems as if the average age of online players is rising -- and this is probably a good thing, since a more mature customer-base will probably change the trend of games becoming (hopefully) more complex and even (gasp!) M-rated.

Thus, Age of Conan may be the trail-blazer.

~~~

NEWSWEEK:

Reading Smartbomb, I couldn't help but take exception to this notion that videogames have permeated our culture. After all, most Americans know about Brad Pitt, but there are plenty of people who have never played a videogame and don't know anything about them.

Aaron Ruby:

You're just out of the loop. When we started the book, the industry was already huge, but it was not mainstream. Now there are commercials for videogames during The Daily Show. And now we have the Xbox 360 [Microsoft's newest game console]. The culture is ready. The average gamer age is now 30 a far cry from the stereotype of the 14- to 18-year-old boy in his room.

~~~

Sorry. I'm such an elder gamer I tend to sway the curve heavily.

<--- those are tri-focals.

brian72282 · December 2005

Umm, you do know the AVERAGE age of an MMO gamer is around 35, right?

SpiritofGame · December 2005

Umm, no, I didn't really know that, nor am I aware of any statistics (aside from guessing or rumor) that shows the average age of MMORPG subscribers.

I quoted a Newsweek article.

You quoted ... ?

Not that I don't believe you, I'd just like to see some survey figures, if you know of any, rather than just: "you know that, right?"

(Although, from my experience playing MMORPGs, my guess of average age would have been MUCH, MUCH LOWER.)

Gameloading · December 2005

Originally posted by brian72282
Umm, you do know the AVERAGE age of an MMO gamer is around 35, right?

I think it was like that 3 years ago. with the new releases of Guild Wars and World of Warcraft, i wouldn't even be surprised if the avarage age dropped below 20 ::::16::

GrimmWrath · December 2005

Originally posted by Gameloading

with the new releases of Guild Wars and World of Warcraft, i wouldn't even be surprised if the avarage age dropped below 20

Age or IQ?

ninjaBeaver · December 2005

Well the majority of subscribers should be adults because they have credit cards.
Free MMORPG's like Maple Story & Runescape would probably have an average
player age of 12-14.

DUNKELKUNST · December 2005

wow siriously i dont think it could be 30....... or 35....... i think theres more kinds then there are adults... so more kids must play rpgs or any games..

but thats just my crazy thinking

Vampir · December 2005

Originally posted by GrimmWrath

Originally posted by Gameloading

with the new releases of Guild Wars and World of Warcraft, i wouldn't even be surprised if the avarage age dropped below 20

Age or IQ?

the age, but the IQ of the players of those games is smaller then most womens shoe size.

voodookhan · December 2005

Straight from the ESA (entertainment Software Association):

www.theesa.com/facts/gamer_data.php

For Computer Gamers...

* Thirty-five percent of most frequent game players are under eighteen years old.
* Twenty-six percent of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old.
* Thirty-nine percent of most frequent game players are over 35 years old.

For Console Gamers...

* Forty-six percent of most frequent game players are under eighteen years old.
* Thirty-five percent of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old.
* Twenty percent of most frequent game players are over 35 years old.

What about Women Gamers?

* Forty-three percent of game players are women.
* Women over the age of 18 represent a greater portion of the game-playing population than boys from 6 to 17 (28% and 21% respectively).

------------------------

So adults tend to play more PC games than console games...which make sense. And there are a lot more women gamers than people suspect. Expect the average age to go up over time as well.

Elnator · December 2005

Originally posted by voodookhan
Straight from the ESA (entertainment Software Association):www.theesa.com/facts/gamer_data.phpFor Computer Gamers... * Thirty-five percent of most frequent game players are under eighteen years old.
* Twenty-six percent of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old.
* Thirty-nine percent of most frequent game players are over 35 years old.For Console Gamers... * Forty-six percent of most frequent game players are under eighteen years old.
* Thirty-five percent of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old.
* Twenty percent of most frequent game players are over 35 years old.What about Women Gamers? * Forty-three percent of game players are women.
* Women over the age of 18 represent a greater portion of the game-playing population than boys from 6 to 17 (28% and 21% respectively).------------------------So adults tend to play more PC games than console games...which make sense. And there are a lot more women gamers than people suspect. Expect the average age to go up over time as well.

Nice post And very true.

I love how people constantly try to say that the average gamers are kids. That was true 15 years ago, when the first generations of gamers were around. Now those first generations of gamers are in or nearing their 40's and the 2nd and 3rd generations are all over 20. So the *average* age of gamers will continue to slide upward till it will likely plateau in the 40yr age range. Even CONSOLE average age has risen over the past 20 years. If you've been following the industry. Hell just look at the games coming out for consoles now. Many of them are specifically NOT targetted at kids anymore. They're targetted at adults. Because game companines follow these stats carefully.

And MMORPG gamer ages will generally stay higher than console ages because most PARENTS won't let young kids play them. I know I won't let my 10 year old on an MMO.

brian72282 · December 2005

Originally posted by voodookhan
Straight from the ESA (entertainment Software Association):www.theesa.com/facts/gamer_data.phpFor Computer Gamers... * Thirty-five percent of most frequent game players are under eighteen years old.
* Twenty-six percent of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old.
* Thirty-nine percent of most frequent game players are over 35 years old.For Console Gamers... * Forty-six percent of most frequent game players are under eighteen years old.
* Thirty-five percent of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old.
* Twenty percent of most frequent game players are over 35 years old.What about Women Gamers? * Forty-three percent of game players are women.
* Women over the age of 18 represent a greater portion of the game-playing population than boys from 6 to 17 (28% and 21% respectively).------------------------So adults tend to play more PC games than console games...which make sense. And there are a lot more women gamers than people suspect. Expect the average age to go up over time as well.

Thank you for having the fact I needed to back up my statement

Most of the games the op was naming aren't true MMOs. More like ORPGs. They aren't massive at all. Those ones tend to attract more kids than adults. As for Maplestory, you'd be suprised how many 25-35 year olds play, because it's a throw back to our childhood (2d sprite based graphics).

matcat · December 2005

My wife mentioned that I play games at her work the other day. He was talking about his kids needing internet connections while travelling to play their games. The guy ended up asking her why she would be with such an immature guy because I play games. Just for the record I am 30.

I find this kind of attitude to come from those that barely know how to access the internet. The low intelligence types that if you say anything technical, get a look on their face like their brain shit the bed. Yeah, not much point here, I just found this very annoying, and somewhat of a typical attitude of those with lower IQs.

Obadno · December 2005

My grandmother has a Lvl 56 warrior on WoW. I joinde her server because she gives me stuff

Its not that wierd for alot of 'Older people' to play MMo's i mean what else is there to do when your retiered

Elnator · December 2005

Originally posted by ksponge
My wife mentioned that I play games at her work the other day. He was talking about his kids needing internet connections while travelling to play their games. The guy ended up asking her why she would be with such an immature guy because I play games. Just for the record I am 30.I find this kind of attitude to come from those that barely know how to access the internet. The low intelligence types that if you say anything technical, get a look on their face like their brain shit the bed. Yeah, not much point here, I just found this very annoying, and somewhat of a typical attitude of those with lower IQs.

Why would you just assume he has a lower IQ than you? Just because someone isn't computer savvy doesn't make them unintelligent. Hell the guy could have a PHD for all you know. I know PLENTY of Doctors who I used to do networking support for that had that whole 'eyes glazed over' look if you started to go technical on them. Then again the brain surgeon I supported would cause me to get that glazed over look if he started talking about endochrines and synapses and neuron relays, etc. to me.

It's all dependant on what you're interested in.

But, to your main point, I agree. People who just automatically assume that only kids or immature people play video games are annoying. I've been playing video games since I was a kid for entertainment. Just like folks who play chess and parcheesie or cards have probably been doing that. Just because I'm doing something I enjoy for my form of entertainment instead of going out and sinking $30-$60 bucks on a 3 hour round of golf doesn't make me less mature than some other guy.

Matter of fact my dad and I had this same discussion the other night. He was like "I just don't understand how you and your brother (I'm 38, my brother is 35) can justify spending money every month to play a video game"

I looked at him and said "Well dad.... how much do you spend a month on golf?"

He said "I dunno... couple hundred dollars?"

I said "Well dad, I spend $15 a month on the game I play. I get to meet people from all over the world and I get a lot more entertainment time and value for my $15 than you do for 1 days worth of green fees at the club"

He chuckled and ceded my point. Personally I do enjoy golf, I have a handicap of 7 actually. But I don't play every day, sometimes only once a month simply because I don't enjoy paying some SOB $30 just to go walk on his grass. MMO's I can play anytime I want for however long I want and I don't have to spend a bloody fortune on them. And I don't have to go buy new golfballs, tees, golf gloves and spikes for my damn shoes every couple weeks either. My wife, while not particularly fond of computer games, loves that I'm at home when she needs me and not out at the golfcourse.

Laserwolf · December 2005

Originally posted by ksponge

My wife mentioned that I play games at her work the other day. He was talking about his kids needing internet connections while travelling to play their games. The guy ended up asking her why she would be with such an immature guy because I play games. Just for the record I am 30.

Sounds like this guy is getting too friendly with your wife bud.

As for player statistics I am really curious about the amount of PC or MMORPG players who are African American. I have a hard time believing 43% of gamers in general are women but for the most part half the avatars in MMORPGs are female. Whether they are men or women playing females is the question. But I am sure most everyone notices a very very very low % of avatars in MMORPGs are black though that skin color is most always available. I also doubt black gamers are choosing white avatars when there is a choice.

Anyone know the %?

Elnator · December 2005

Originally posted by Laserwolf
Originally posted by ksponge
My wife mentioned that I play games at her work the other day. He was talking about his kids needing internet connections while travelling to play their games. The guy ended up asking her why she would be with such an immature guy because I play games. Just for the record I am 30. Sounds like this guy is getting too friendly with your wife bud.

As for player statistics I am really curious about the amount of PC or MMORPG players who are African American. I have a hard time believing 43% of gamers in general are women but for the most part half the avatars in MMORPGs are female. Whether they are men or women playing females is the question. But I am sure most everyone notices a very very very low % of avatars in MMORPGs are black thought that skin color is most always available. I also doubt black gamers are choosing white avatars when there is a choice.
Anyone know?

Oh lord, who cares? And why would it matter? I know several folks at work who happen to be black that play online games. I also know some native american folks who play online games as well as oriental and even arab decent players.

Who cares who plays what. I've never understood the pathological need that people seem to have to break down things by gender or race. Age range I can understand. Gender I can even understand. but who cares what race you are? Seriously I have never understood this world's fixation with the color of someone's skin or the tilt of their eyes.

matcat · December 2005

Yes, I realize he was getting too friendly, actually now that I think about it the statement he made (from her mouth was) "Why would such a pretty lady like you be involved with such an immature guy like that?"

Unfortunately, I wasn't there, so not much to be done, though if I had been there I seriously doubt he would have spoken being as I'm a big guy at about 250.

Regarding my comment about his IQ, yes it may not have had any roots in reality, I do that at times assuming especially if something annoys me. I was tested twice while in school, and my IQ is 148 give or take a couple points, so many times I make assumptions.

And honestly, I would find it very stimulating to talk about any subject that was biologically oriented such as you suggested *shrug*. But as I stated, my reasoning was that the guy irritated me.

templarx · December 2005

Never forget the age of people who CREATES and MAINTAINS these games ....the same people who are getting stinking rich. Something tells me they are well above 20 years old no?

Ghostieboy · December 2005

lol The people who create MMORPG's have to be of a certain age...because young kids (unless a prodigy) knew programming anyone could create a MMORPG. The people who make these games....hmm...i have to say about 25-40.
Correct me if anyone thinks otherwise

Kormac · December 2005

I don't know quite what you said, but I know young kids know programming. I had a nice little shooter out with a separate level editor and custom mission briefings by the age of 16. In 320x200 with simplistic AI, but still... And I know I was, at that point, outdone by a 12 year old when it comes to the readability of code, and he was also capable of mimicing or utilising (at the time I couldn't tell which) the Windows API. I found the calls where I couldn't see where the traceline would be headed just a little unnerving.

I haven't done any focused programming since, though.

templarx · December 2005

I don't know quite what you said, but I know young kids know programming.

Point was, people go on about age of gamers and whether you are mature or not for playing games at 40, yet people neglect to remember the age of people who's JOB it is to create and run these games (and who's salaries gamers are paying) . Primarily people above 20 years old...

protoroc · December 2005

perfect age group to farm gold, used to tedious reptitive tasks, supports their pension income. question would people have a problem with gold selling if it wasnt a major industry and just a niche business? It does have its place kinda, cause there was nothing else i could think of that would be a better X-Mas gift to my father then WOW gold (and I dont play WOW so farming it myself wasnt an option)

/derail off

Kormac · December 2005

The more immersive you want your game
The more you want your game to stand on its own legs and live on
The less real money services (beyond playing the game) may be offered
The more substantial the advantages / supplies bought are, the worse it is for the game economy. Of course, it might be possible to design a game to support this kind of behaviour, but I cannot see any result but those who can afford it sailing quickly to the top while somebody somewhere gets a lot of money. Little game for it.

As a christmas gift it is nice, though I think I might have been able to come up with better. However, for the sake of the game health, so to say, I wouldn't do it.

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