Casual Games Not So Casual

Trymedia Network operated by Macrovision Corporation has released some
interesting results for a survey they conducted on casual gaming. It
seems as though casual games players don't play casually. Instead,
those who play some of the top games like Diner Dash and Mahjon play
"more than nine, two or more hour 'sessions' each week." Also, while
the common perception is that these games are played during 'breaks'
at work, they are instead played mostly at night. Sounds more like
average to hardcore gamers work hours to me.

The survey was conducted through their website where 789 gamers
participated. Some of the survey's highlights can be seen below.

Casual game player demographics:

• 37% are age 35-49
• 28% are age 50-60

• 71% female
• 29% male

• 58% have no children under age 18 living in their households

Top personal interests/hobbies of casual gamers:

1. Pets
2. Travel
3. Arts & Crafts
4. Shopping
5. Gardening

Casual game play habits:

• 37% play 9 or more game 'sessions' per week
• 66% say each 'session' typically lasts for at least one hour
• 31% spend more than two hours in each gameplay 'session'
• 73% play at night
• 55% play on weekends
• 48% play when they have the house to themselves

Top casual game genres:

1. Puzzle (67%)
2. Card (44%)
3. Strategy (35%)
4. Action (34%)

Other Notes

• 30% have downloaded more than 21 games in the last year
• 67% read game reviews and 46% of those who do feel they are
influenced to try or purchase a new game by the reviews they read
• 84% access the Internet through a home broadband connection
• 70% have purchased a game after first playing it free of charge on
the Internet