ESA study reveals "well-rounded lifestyle" of adult gamers

New research conducted on behalf of the Entertainment Software Association shows that adult videogame consumers do not conform to negative stereotypes, the US publisher trade body has claimed.

A survey of adult gamers showed that they spend on average three times more time each week exercising, volunteering, reading, attending religious services or taking part in cultural or creative activities than they do playing games.

The findings "shatter myths" about typical game players, according to the ESA, including the belief that games contribute to obesity - with 79 per cent of game players exercising or playing sports for an average of 20 hours a month.

"Gamers are everywhere and theyâre everyone," commented ESA president Doug Lowenstein. "They are your friends, neighbours, co-workers, relatives, and kids; they lead responsible and caring lives, balancing their enjoyment of interactive entertainment with many other activities important to a well-rounded lifestyle."

Other findings of the survey, which was conducted by Peter D Hard Research Associates last September and surveyed a random sample of 802 adults, showed that 93 per cent of game players read books or daily newspapers, while 94 per cent follow news and current events.

61 per cent of gamers engage in religious activity for several hours a month, while a clean half of those surveyed spend time painting, writing or playing an instrument, and 62 per cent attend cultural events such as concerts, museums or the theatre on a regular basis.

"Those who continue to portray the game population as single-minded loafers are living in their own fantasy world," Lowenstein concluded - although presumably theirs doesn't involve random encounters or magic combo attacks.