The average age of a console gamer is mid to late twenties. Start looking at online PC gaming (from Facebook games through World of Warcraft) and the average age is higher still.
Gamers also tend to be wealthier on average.
The whole "most gamers are just kids" is total BS.
Well, gaming was for kids initially, with first generations of games offering usually nothing more than nth version of horizontal scroller platformer.
But today? Short of (part of) Nintendo stuff, most titles for PC, PS3 and X360 are made for mature audience, are too complicated for kids - and way too violent.
Well, gaming was for kids initially, with first generations of games offering usually nothing more than nth version of horizontal scroller platformer.
Even with the early systems the average age was probably higher than you'd probably expect. The Atari 2600 was not cheap - about $700 adjusted for inflation. You probably didn't have one unless Dad also was interested. :-)
But yes, the average age has increased over the years.
Quote:
But today? Short of (part of) Nintendo stuff, most titles for PC, PS3 and X360 are made for mature audience, are too complicated for kids - and way too violent.
Actually the majority of games released are still family friendly even if they are played mainly by adults. There are some high profile quite violent games targeted at adult audiences that certain sections of the media will rant about (games have age ratings and all modern consoles have parental controls), but for every GTA there is a FIFA, a Madden, a Guitar Hero, etc.
Xbox Live is fantastic. It's one of those great innovations where you wonder how you lived without it. Games on older consoles and the Nintendo Wii don't feel anywhere near as engrossing and interesting once you've tried it.
Glad to see Apple copy one of Microsoft's better ideas.
Xbox Live is fantastic. It's one of those great innovations where you wonder how you lived without it. Games on older consoles and the Nintendo Wii don't feel anywhere near as engrossing and interesting once you've tried it.
Glad to see Apple copy one of Microsoft's better ideas.
I can almost qualify for Social Security and regularly get my fix on Gears of War 2, Modern Warfare 2, etc. Helps to keep me sane in my Day Job.
It sure as help ain't Pong or nothin' anymore!
You are not going to believe this but gaming is my day job! It's tough but someone has to do it.
On another note I think hell just froze over. I have been of the opinion that Apple just
did not like gaming nor did the want to support it. I am stunned and happy, at least for mobile devices, that they are finally giving the geeks a little loving.
I like that Apple is blatantly copying Xbox Live but it won't be as big a deal and most casual gamers don't care (Wii users are a perfect example) for achievements and such.
If Apple can make their system atleast as decent as Sonys Playstation Network it will be in good shape.
Billions of downloads later and some people are still wondering what Apple is doing? They are practically printing money. If they keep going, politicians are going to confiscate their cash hoard to bail out California.
There is so much potential in these mobile devices, it's hard not to gush. Combing games and social networking is genius. Whoever started it deserves kudos, but Apple is going to rule here. I'm not much of a gamer, but I've contributed to that pile of cash in Apple's account and will probably need carpal tunnel treatment in the future. Or maybe there's an app for that...
I like that Apple is blatantly copying Xbox Live but it won't be as big a deal and most casual gamers don't care (Wii users are a perfect example) for achievements and such.
Social gaming is big amongst casual gamers. They might not care about beating someone on the other side of the Atlantic on Xbox Live, but the ability to play with friends / family and compare high scores / achievements is a very big deal.
Only a third of Xbox gamers have a Xbox Live Gold account (ie can play online), whilst the iPhone is an always connected platform that people carry with then at all times. This makes it idea for social gaming.
The average age of a console gamer is mid to late twenties. Start looking at online PC gaming (from Facebook games through World of Warcraft) and the average age is higher still.
Gamers also tend to be wealthier on average.
The whole "most gamers are just kids" is total BS.
Social gaming is big amongst casual gamers. They might not care about beating someone on the other side of the Atlantic on Xbox Live, but the ability to play with friends / family and compare high scores / achievements is a very big deal.
Only a third of Xbox gamers have a Xbox Live Gold account (ie can play online), whilst the iPhone is an always connected platform that people carry with then at all times. This makes it idea for social gaming.
Lolwat? Xbox Live is the one that really put social gaming on the map. Wii users are those who play locally with family, and achievements haven't been made a big deal for causal users.
I love achievements because of some of the hard work that goes into getting some of them. I severely doubt my gf or most people who play say tapulous revenge would care for achievements either.
nintendo and Sony have sold massive amounts of portable gaming hardware.
I admit I was amazed by the PSP when it came out but, given limited funds, the 18-25 year old will be more likely to invest in a real gaming system or a PC with a decent video card. We're in a recession, and young adults are unemployed and underemployed in large numbers.
I admit I was amazed by the PSP when it came out but, given limited funds, the 18-25 year old will be more likely to invest in a real gaming system or a PC with a decent video card. We're in a recession, and young adults are unemployed and underemployed in large numbers.
18 - 25 year olds always, always, always have a cell phone. These games are made for a certain cell phone - the iPhone!
They ARE going to spend their money on a cell phone, so why not get one that has some pretty decent mobile games that also have a social gaming environment attached?
Seems pretty smart to me.
Cell phone with monthly plan that plays some good games?
Home console/PC with yearly fees for social gaming?
I'll bet the younger person with limited funds will opt for the first option if they can't have both.
And a goodly portion of them will do with the computer that their dorm mate/ room mate / parents have in their house in order to have that mobile cell phone/ computer /gaming platoform / app platform.
Lolwat? Xbox Live is the one that really put social gaming on the map. Wii users are those who play locally with family, and achievements haven't been made a big deal for causal users.
I love achievements because of some of the hard work that goes into getting some of them. I severely doubt my gf or most people who play say tapulous revenge would care for achievements either.
No no no, you have to remember, MS NEVER EVER EVER does anything right, and Apple ALWAYS does it right, so Apple "perfected" social gaming.
The cost of gaming doesn't end with hardware. It only begins there.
The fact the many of the games from the App Store costs only $0.99 and the premium cost under $10 is a huge drawing card for many casual/mobile gamers.
Add in a social network like Game Center and you have a winner. This is BIG news from Apple and will ultimately grow their market share on hardware as well as revenue within the app store.
As a once hard-core gamer turned casual gamer, this is exactly what I want to see on the iPhone. I am now much more apt to buy a game that my friends or family have if I know that I can play with them or compete with them for achievements.
Actually Apple is the Porsche of computers but only in one sense. Apple, just like Porsche, is not the largest manufacturer in it's industry but both make the most profit per unit when compared to their respective competitors. That's as far as I would take the comparison though. BMW's are overpriced trash.
This is all very strange. Apple is like the BMW of computers yet they're pushing a gaming platform? Don't they know that most gamers are just kids, and kids have very limited funds? Anyway, any serious gamer will have invested in a real gaming system and will not consider playing games on a phone any more than they'd watch a movie on a phone. Apple is disconnected from reality. Oh, and Steve Jobs warning about porn on Android is again proof of Apple's psychosis. The majority of Internet traffic is porn.
Apple is disconnected from reality? They have gone from zero mobile game revenues to about 20% of the total. They have the 64% of all mobile internet traffic. They own the MP3 player market. They OWN the industry mind share. If anyone's out of touch with reality, it's you.
Gaming is a great addition to the iPad and iPhone ecosystem. The key is that Apple realizes that 'gaming' is more than hard core first person shooting games. If they were to try to focus on nothing but WoW (or whatever the latest 'must have' game is, they'd lose. But by focusing on the more casual gamer (which outnumbers the hard core gamer by an order of magnitude or more), they have a chance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chwilliam
I would have to say this is easily one of the biggest announcements of the day. Having public achievements and matchmaking is a big part of what goes into a modern gaming platform. Great, unexpected idea.
Exactly. I'm not much of a gamer (other than an occasional game of Klondike Forever on my iPhone, but even to me it's clear that this is HUGE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveGee
And to think... All I had for a babysitter was "Gilligan's Island", "I Love Lucy" and "F-Troop" reruns. Talk about being born in the wrong decade.... hmmm century?
On the plus side ... We had, "PLANT OF THE APES WEEK" __and__ "GODZILLA WEEK" a good 3 or 4 times a year!
But kids today have no idea of what Mash is - or the REAL version of Star Trek.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctor David
nintendo and Sony have sold massive amounts of portable gaming hardware. I don't expect either of them or apple care who or what qualifies as a "serious" gamer.
Precisely. Apple jumped from zero to about 20% of mobile game revenues almost overnight. This is going to move them up even faster. 85 million users is hard to ignore-especially when the users are, on average, more affluent than average.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigdaddyp
I think hell just froze over. I have been of the opinion that Apple just
did not like gaming nor did the want to support it. I am stunned and happy, at least for mobile devices, that they are finally giving the geeks a little loving.
I think the difference is that we're not talking about what hard core gamers consider to be gaming. You'll see a lot of threads where they argue that games on the iPad aren't real games - because they don't require a quad core processor with SLI video cards.
One thing Apple does brilliantly is defining markets where they bring something to the table - and have a chance to dominate. There's no chance in the world that Apple could become a top player in the hardcore gaming market - where people like to build their own computers, add all sorts of flashy lights inside the box, and so on. But for this portable, 'lightweight', fun (as opposed to 'serious') game market, Apple's iPhona and iPad can really shine.
Comments
The average age of a console gamer is mid to late twenties. Start looking at online PC gaming (from Facebook games through World of Warcraft) and the average age is higher still.
Gamers also tend to be wealthier on average.
The whole "most gamers are just kids" is total BS.
Well, gaming was for kids initially, with first generations of games offering usually nothing more than nth version of horizontal scroller platformer.
But today? Short of (part of) Nintendo stuff, most titles for PC, PS3 and X360 are made for mature audience, are too complicated for kids - and way too violent.
Well, gaming was for kids initially, with first generations of games offering usually nothing more than nth version of horizontal scroller platformer.
Even with the early systems the average age was probably higher than you'd probably expect. The Atari 2600 was not cheap - about $700 adjusted for inflation. You probably didn't have one unless Dad also was interested. :-)
But yes, the average age has increased over the years.
But today? Short of (part of) Nintendo stuff, most titles for PC, PS3 and X360 are made for mature audience, are too complicated for kids - and way too violent.
Actually the majority of games released are still family friendly even if they are played mainly by adults. There are some high profile quite violent games targeted at adult audiences that certain sections of the media will rant about (games have age ratings and all modern consoles have parental controls), but for every GTA there is a FIFA, a Madden, a Guitar Hero, etc.
Glad to see Apple copy one of Microsoft's better ideas.
Xbox Live is fantastic. It's one of those great innovations where you wonder how you lived without it. Games on older consoles and the Nintendo Wii don't feel anywhere near as engrossing and interesting once you've tried it.
Glad to see Apple copy one of Microsoft's better ideas.
I see what you did there.
I can almost qualify for Social Security and regularly get my fix on Gears of War 2, Modern Warfare 2, etc. Helps to keep me sane in my Day Job.
It sure as help ain't Pong or nothin' anymore!
You are not going to believe this but gaming is my day job! It's tough but someone has to do it.
On another note I think hell just froze over. I have been of the opinion that Apple just
did not like gaming nor did the want to support it. I am stunned and happy, at least for mobile devices, that they are finally giving the geeks a little loving.
Jim
If Apple can make their system atleast as decent as Sonys Playstation Network it will be in good shape.
There is so much potential in these mobile devices, it's hard not to gush. Combing games and social networking is genius. Whoever started it deserves kudos, but Apple is going to rule here. I'm not much of a gamer, but I've contributed to that pile of cash in Apple's account and will probably need carpal tunnel treatment in the future. Or maybe there's an app for that...
This is it, apple is taking the whole mobile industry, just like microsoft did with pc's. Exept this time luck isn't involved
I like that Apple is blatantly copying Xbox Live but it won't be as big a deal and most casual gamers don't care (Wii users are a perfect example) for achievements and such.
Social gaming is big amongst casual gamers. They might not care about beating someone on the other side of the Atlantic on Xbox Live, but the ability to play with friends / family and compare high scores / achievements is a very big deal.
Only a third of Xbox gamers have a Xbox Live Gold account (ie can play online), whilst the iPhone is an always connected platform that people carry with then at all times. This makes it idea for social gaming.
The average age of a console gamer is mid to late twenties. Start looking at online PC gaming (from Facebook games through World of Warcraft) and the average age is higher still.
Gamers also tend to be wealthier on average.
The whole "most gamers are just kids" is total BS.
Correct.
Social gaming is big amongst casual gamers. They might not care about beating someone on the other side of the Atlantic on Xbox Live, but the ability to play with friends / family and compare high scores / achievements is a very big deal.
Only a third of Xbox gamers have a Xbox Live Gold account (ie can play online), whilst the iPhone is an always connected platform that people carry with then at all times. This makes it idea for social gaming.
Lolwat? Xbox Live is the one that really put social gaming on the map. Wii users are those who play locally with family, and achievements haven't been made a big deal for causal users.
I love achievements because of some of the hard work that goes into getting some of them. I severely doubt my gf or most people who play say tapulous revenge would care for achievements either.
Actually the largest gaming population is 18 to 35 year olds who do have money..
Ha, when I talk to people in that age range, they talk about living with their parents and contemplating waitering and/or grad school.
But I will grant that the 18-25 range at least parts too easily with its money, or at least gets deep into debt.
nintendo and Sony have sold massive amounts of portable gaming hardware.
I admit I was amazed by the PSP when it came out but, given limited funds, the 18-25 year old will be more likely to invest in a real gaming system or a PC with a decent video card. We're in a recession, and young adults are unemployed and underemployed in large numbers.
I admit I was amazed by the PSP when it came out but, given limited funds, the 18-25 year old will be more likely to invest in a real gaming system or a PC with a decent video card. We're in a recession, and young adults are unemployed and underemployed in large numbers.
18 - 25 year olds always, always, always have a cell phone. These games are made for a certain cell phone - the iPhone!
They ARE going to spend their money on a cell phone, so why not get one that has some pretty decent mobile games that also have a social gaming environment attached?
Seems pretty smart to me.
Cell phone with monthly plan that plays some good games?
Home console/PC with yearly fees for social gaming?
I'll bet the younger person with limited funds will opt for the first option if they can't have both.
And a goodly portion of them will do with the computer that their dorm mate/ room mate / parents have in their house in order to have that mobile cell phone/ computer /gaming platoform / app platform.
Not all, but a lot of them.
IMHO.
Lolwat? Xbox Live is the one that really put social gaming on the map. Wii users are those who play locally with family, and achievements haven't been made a big deal for causal users.
I love achievements because of some of the hard work that goes into getting some of them. I severely doubt my gf or most people who play say tapulous revenge would care for achievements either.
No no no, you have to remember, MS NEVER EVER EVER does anything right, and Apple ALWAYS does it right, so Apple "perfected" social gaming.
The fact the many of the games from the App Store costs only $0.99 and the premium cost under $10 is a huge drawing card for many casual/mobile gamers.
Add in a social network like Game Center and you have a winner. This is BIG news from Apple and will ultimately grow their market share on hardware as well as revenue within the app store.
As a once hard-core gamer turned casual gamer, this is exactly what I want to see on the iPhone. I am now much more apt to buy a game that my friends or family have if I know that I can play with them or compete with them for achievements.
Well done Apple!
Apple is like the BMW of computers...
Actually Apple is the Porsche of computers but only in one sense. Apple, just like Porsche, is not the largest manufacturer in it's industry but both make the most profit per unit when compared to their respective competitors. That's as far as I would take the comparison though. BMW's are overpriced trash.
This is all very strange. Apple is like the BMW of computers yet they're pushing a gaming platform? Don't they know that most gamers are just kids, and kids have very limited funds? Anyway, any serious gamer will have invested in a real gaming system and will not consider playing games on a phone any more than they'd watch a movie on a phone. Apple is disconnected from reality. Oh, and Steve Jobs warning about porn on Android is again proof of Apple's psychosis. The majority of Internet traffic is porn.
Apple is disconnected from reality? They have gone from zero mobile game revenues to about 20% of the total. They have the 64% of all mobile internet traffic. They own the MP3 player market. They OWN the industry mind share. If anyone's out of touch with reality, it's you.
Gaming is a great addition to the iPad and iPhone ecosystem. The key is that Apple realizes that 'gaming' is more than hard core first person shooting games. If they were to try to focus on nothing but WoW (or whatever the latest 'must have' game is, they'd lose. But by focusing on the more casual gamer (which outnumbers the hard core gamer by an order of magnitude or more), they have a chance.
I would have to say this is easily one of the biggest announcements of the day. Having public achievements and matchmaking is a big part of what goes into a modern gaming platform. Great, unexpected idea.
Exactly. I'm not much of a gamer (other than an occasional game of Klondike Forever on my iPhone, but even to me it's clear that this is HUGE.
And to think... All I had for a babysitter was "Gilligan's Island", "I Love Lucy" and "F-Troop" reruns. Talk about being born in the wrong decade.... hmmm century?
On the plus side ... We had, "PLANT OF THE APES WEEK" __and__ "GODZILLA WEEK" a good 3 or 4 times a year!
But kids today have no idea of what Mash is - or the REAL version of Star Trek.
nintendo and Sony have sold massive amounts of portable gaming hardware. I don't expect either of them or apple care who or what qualifies as a "serious" gamer.
Precisely. Apple jumped from zero to about 20% of mobile game revenues almost overnight. This is going to move them up even faster. 85 million users is hard to ignore-especially when the users are, on average, more affluent than average.
I think hell just froze over. I have been of the opinion that Apple just
did not like gaming nor did the want to support it. I am stunned and happy, at least for mobile devices, that they are finally giving the geeks a little loving.
I think the difference is that we're not talking about what hard core gamers consider to be gaming. You'll see a lot of threads where they argue that games on the iPad aren't real games - because they don't require a quad core processor with SLI video cards.
One thing Apple does brilliantly is defining markets where they bring something to the table - and have a chance to dominate. There's no chance in the world that Apple could become a top player in the hardcore gaming market - where people like to build their own computers, add all sorts of flashy lights inside the box, and so on. But for this portable, 'lightweight', fun (as opposed to 'serious') game market, Apple's iPhona and iPad can really shine.
I love achievements because of some of the hard work that goes into getting some of them....
if it was not in the context of playing video games while sitting on a couch...i might agree with your statement...