Exploding long-held “myths” about video-game players, a study conducted by LifeCourse Associates for video game platform and community provider Twitch reveals “that gamers are more social, family oriented, educated, optimistic, successful and socially conscious than their non-gamer counterparts.”
Young people in the Millenial demographic are the largest age group using Twitch. Accordingly, Twitch commissioned LifeCourse Associates to do the study because of its affiliation with Neil Howe, a leading researcher on Millennials. Twitch said it wanted to do the study because the “socially engaged community” that has been building on its live streaming game platform didn’t seem to fit the stereotypical gamer mold.
“We know gamers and have witnessed the incredible level of social engagement and excitement that happens on our platform, but there is still this pervasive misperception that gamers are basement dwelling loners and misfits,” Twitch CRO Jonathan Simpson-Bint was quoted as saying.
“In order to once and for all eradicate this maligned view of our community, it would require a scientifically verifiable and statistically defensible study from a reputable and experienced research firm. This is what Neil Howe and his team at LifeCourse Associates delivered.”
Added Howe, “The old stereotype of the solitary geek gamer is over. It turns out gamers today are more educated, optimistic, socially conscious, and connected to friends and family than non-gamers.”
Video Gamer Profile
Supporting their conclusions, highlights of the study include:
- Gamers lead more social lives than non-gamers:
- Gamers are more likely to be living with other people, including their friends, families, and significant others. In contrast, non-gamers are more likely to be living alone.
- Gamers are far more likely to agree with the statement, “My friends are the most important thing in my life,” with a majority saying that they game with their friends.
- Gamers are less likely than non-gamers to watch TV alone and less likely to prefer to watch this way. They are also far more likely to say that they watch video on TV, PCs, or mobile devices when at a friend’s than when at home.
- They’re closer to their families:
- Gamers are more likely to say that they have a good relationship with their parents.
- A strong majority agrees that spending time with their families and parents is a top priority. (82% for gamers vs. 68% for non-gamers).
- They’re more educated
- Gamers are more likely to hold a college degree or higher. (43% for gamers vs. 36% for non-gamers).
- The same is true for gamers’ parents.
- They’re more optimistic
- Gamers express far more confidence about their abilities and prospects for future success.
- A majority agree that they are “a natural leader” compared to non-gamers.
- A larger percentage say they are “more creative than most people,” compared to non-gamers.
- Gamers are much more upbeat about their career aspirations; a majority of gamers feel “very positive” or “positive” in this regard. (67% “very positive” for gamers vs. 42% non-gamers).
- They’re more conventionally successful.
- Gamers are slightly more likely to be employed full-time than non-gamers.
- They’re more likely to say that they’re working in the career they want to be in. (45% for gamers vs. 37% for non-gamers).
- They’re more socially conscious.
- A large majority of gamers agree that “having a positive impact on society is important.” (76% for gamers vs. 55% for non-gamers).
- Gamers are more likely to prioritize socially conscious business practices. A greater share of gamers agree it’s important that the companies they buy products from support social causes and that companies treat their customers fairly.
- They’re more likely to feel better about companies that have ethical business practices and would rather buy from those that have nothing to hide.
