31% of Americans prefer casual gaming to TV
Casual games are one of the most popular entertainments of our time. The surveys show a growing popularity of this category of time spare. For example, the survey taken by Harris Interactive shows that 31% percent of adult Americans prefers casual gaming to TV while sparing away some free time. The very interesting phenomena is that the majority of people who are buying and playing casual games are women aged 40 and older – this conclusion is also made by Harris Interactive.
Another survey was announced by PopCap Games in May 2009. This survey shows that more than 57% of people who use wireless devices play casual games. In UK, 60% internet users plays casual game. This is shown by a latest report of UK National Gamers Survey, announced at September of 2009. The authors of this survey also investigate the time spent by UK people on different types of entertainment, like magazines, newspapers, Internet, radio and gaming. The survey shows that on average males spend 4.8 hours a week for gaming. Females play games somewhat less time – 2.6 hours a week. But still gaming has become one of the most popular ways to spend a free time.
The reasons why casual games are that popular are discussed greatly. Experts notice a great role of Internet and mobile technologies, which make games very easy to access and play. Nearly everyone nowadays has a device or several devices he can play casual games with. Cell-phones, notebooks, pocket PCs and Smartphones – these devices may be designed and obtained for other purposes, but still people can play games using them. That’s why so many people who seem to be not interested in playing games have become opened for this entertainment type.
The other reason of casual gaming popularity is their simplicity. Casual games, by definition, are games that everyone can play. There are no special skills or devices you need to play. Casual games are games for everyone.
The main reason of casual game popularity is a modern lifestyle. In our everyday life we often meet a need to spend some time: while waiting for a meeting, in transport, etc. And casual games seem to be the most suitable for that.
Some experts say that casual games are used like some kind of psychotherapy. Games help people to look aside, to relax, and to forget about everyday’s problems. For many gamers, gaming seems to be a kind of mediation.
The future of casual gaming seems to be bright. There’s no reason to think that their expansion will slow down anyway. Furthermore, experts predict that casual gaming will become more and more popular as more and more popular will become digital technologies themselves.
