SpawnPoint - Where Game Begins

Survey Says: 70% to 90% of All Gamers Do This

It is no secret that social networks and mobile devices have played a significant role in bringing the joy of gaming to a brand new audience. Analysis of data from last year’s National Gamers Survey, conducted by Newzoo in the United States and key EU markets, reveals a staggering increase in the number of “casual” gamers, as well as a significant overlap between individual platforms.

The number of people playing on social networks, mobile devices or dedicated casual game websites has grown to 47% of the online population in Germany and a whopping 67% in the US and UK. The Netherlands, France and Belgium are in between with 56%, 59% and 60% of their online population playing casual games, respectively.  On average, online casual game destinations, such as Real Games, Pogo and PopCap reach two-thirds of this audience. As these companies extend their game offerings to social networks and mobile devices, they find themselves servicing the majority of the online population and 73% (Germany) to 88% (US) of all gamers.

Overlap between platforms is considerable, illustrated by the fact that 46 million Americans – or 33% of all casual gamers – play games on all three platforms. Consumers choose their gaming platform depending on time of day, location and social setting.

“It is clear from our data that there is no such thing as ‘the typical casual gamer,’ as almost everyone plays a casual game at least now and again, including people playing World of Warcraft or Call of Duty: Black Ops,” said Peter Warman, Newzoo’s co-founder and managing director. “As games become a more integrated part of people’s lives, there is a place and time for every type of game, regardless of platform.”

In March 2011, Newzoo will launch a new series of consumer surveys on games and gaming simultaneously in twelve countries across the globe. It will be the biggest international survey on games and gamers to date. For the first time Newzoo will add new and emerging markets such as Spain, Brazil, Mexico and Russia to its portfolio of countries participating in the National Gamers Survey, with Asian markets China and Korea to be surveyed in May.

Do you play casual games online or on the go? What are some of your favorite titles? Share your guilty pleasures in the comments section below.