Core gamers vs. digital gamers: NPD data reveals times are changing
- Posted June 27th, 2011 at 15:39 EDT by Steven Williamson
- 10 Comments
A new report by the stat-gathering company, NPD, reveals that digital gamers are playing games almost as much as core gamers.
In a U.S. survey sent out to 8214 gamers, the report reveals that digital gamers spend 16 hours a week gaming, while core gamers spend 18 hours a week. The report also states that core gamers buy an average of 5.4 games every three months, while digital gamers are buying 5.9 games across the same period.
The stats make rather grim reading for those hardcore gamers put off by the rise in casual gaming over the last few years, and it doesn’t look like things are going to change.
"Gamers are increasingly branching out to methods of play other than those that the industry has traditionally expected them to use,” said NPD analyst Anita Frazier
"Fuelled by the growth of smartphones and new tablet devices, mobile gaming continues to accelerate, and what a game is and what it means to be a gamer is evolving, reflecting the rapid nature of change within the industry.”
Sounds like we better make the most of these hardcore games while we can, before the digital invasion truly takes over.
Source: MCV
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Paranoimia
- 11:14am EDT - June 27th, 2011
- 2
Agree with Sufi - "digital" gaming is not necessarily any different from "core" gaming. There are plenty of "core" games distributed digitally via PSN and XBL.
It's the type of game which makes the distinction, not the method of distribution.
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wufei
- 11:48am EDT - June 27th, 2011
- 3
dig·it·al
adjective /ˈdijitl/
- Relating to or using signals or information represented by discrete values (digits) of a physical quantity, such as voltage or magnetic polarization, to represent arithmetic numbers or approximations to numbers from a continuum or logical expressions and variables
- - digital TV
- Involving or relating to the use of computer technology
All video games are digital... period.
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faaeng
- 3:17pm EDT - June 27th, 2011
- 6
does this even take into account how many of those "digital gamers" are infact "core gamers"? Probably not.
I'm a hardcore gamers, but I game on my smartphone and other such portable devices all of the time. PS3s, 360s and PC aren't really something you can just casually bring on the subway or to work........... -
GunTeng
- 3:24pm EDT - June 27th, 2011
- 7
Sufi is correct...these labels are nonsense.
TBH..I have downloaded some "digital" games, but I prefer any large game to be on disk. The digital games are those that are bought to fill the gaps between larger games. Some are more playable than others & sometimes the simpler games just have so much more replay value than the larger games.
I don't know about anyone else, but I have been pretty surprised at how much fun a few digital games have been for me. Especially games that I turned my nose up at for a long time. One of note is ZombieNation.....simple, casual but very addictive.
So...this little survey means nothing really. I still won't buy the larger games as downloads, and I still won't buy smaller games as disc, unless of course they are packaged as multiple small games on one disc (almost like the old Quatro games).
And finally...until telecommunications can provide for large scale downloads of large games, "digital" gaming will not be a valid replacement. Look at how long it takes to get updates today........that is but an example that this whole discussion is pretty pointless.
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Alpha2
- 10:43pm EDT - June 27th, 2011
- 8
If they're talking about downloads. Of course people are picking up downloads in great numbers and playing longer. Most Android and ipod games are FREE! You can play them on a device you carry with you every minute of the day because it's become a daily necessary device! Who goes anywhere without their phone or MP3 player anymore? And not only are most apps free, but the ones that arent cost like 2 bucks that you never see change hands. It's like inhaling a snack, you ever experienced the eating but suddenly you're full so you dont care... actually it should be closer equated with smoking, because smokers consume cigs without even thinking, it's habitual and that's what downloading an App is becoming. It's like they're not casual anymore, it's becoming an addiction. It shouldnt be compared with the act of deciding how to spend a hard earned 60 bucks.
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Otaku_Rich
- 12:11pm EDT - June 28th, 2011
- 9
While it's fun to say you've been gaming than most people, which I'm sure if you are visiting a site like PSU.com you have, it should be about "the more, the merrier."
Elitism aside, we should pat ourselves on the back for supporting the industry for so long and have giving a helping hand with growing it into what it is today. I love the competition between core gamers. You can't get that anywhere else. We are all as professional as we want to be.With that said, what's the point of having a huge collection of systems and games if you can't share it with others. A lot of my best memories in gaming is playing games like Toejam & Earl with my buddy eating junk food until the same came up. But even with single player games, such as Zelda or MGS, these games are games you shared your experience with others. Be it talking on the bus, at work or even on forums.So while I understand wanting to show your elitism, as it is natural for any core gamer to do, we all have to come together to enjoy and celebrate gaming. Regardless of age, experience, genre, or system. We still have a long way to go! -
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- 8:21pm EDT - June 28th, 2011
- 10
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