CDC Study Finds That Average Age of Gamers Is 35

Are You Surprised That 35 Is the Average Age of a Gamer?

August 18, 2009

Age ain't nothin' but a number: a recent study has some surprising news about the facts and ages of gamers — specifically, that the average age of a gamer is 35.

The study also found that gamers are typically heavier and less healthy, which is not a huge surprise, but a disappointing affirmation of a stereotype that I often defend.

I know that casual gaming is hot for seniors, but I'm a bit surprised to hear that the average age is 35.

Sure, my Atari generation is growing up, but a new gamer is born every day — I thought it may be younger.

What do you think?

Source: Getty

11 Comments

mek123 3 years 39 weeks

I'm not surprised since I didn't play as a kid or young adult, I now play with my son.

Anonymous25 3 years 39 weeks

I work for a casual gaming company (GameHouse.com) and I'm not at all surprised by the report that 35 is the average age of gamers. We did some research and found that the over 35 group is the largest age demographic for casual games, which is a really big industry. Further, more and more of the over 35 set are joining Facebook, which is ripe with great games to play. Adults in the 1980s, who might have brushed off video games as "kids play" are now joining the party! There's a game out there for everyone :)

LindsayLou 3 years 39 weeks

I agree with anonymous...they surveyed 19 - 90 year olds...I'd hedge a bet if they surveyed 10 - 90 year olds it would scew much younger.

J Rabbit 3 years 39 weeks

Not surprised at all. People in their 30s have grown up with video games, right? It was THEIR parents that said video games are for kids.

cherryblossom 3 years 39 weeks

why wouldnt you believe this, look at how the games are geared, towards more mature things the majority of games out now are kind of aimed at a highter age level, ill be gaming until god knows when in my life, cause im not one of theses passing geek fad people, im a real gamer

kcwebgirl 3 years 39 weeks

i never believe statistics because i've never been part of a study!! who are the people they are asking? haha. i'm not surprised that it's 35 though because i'm 30 and grew up playing video games with my older brother and cousins. and few of my younger cousins play as much as we did. but i'm guessing that the numbers are skewed because the younger players probably weren't really a part of the study.

PiNkY PiNk 3 years 39 weeks

I know people who play with their kids. My bf's dad is somewhat better than him and kicked his ass at a fight game a couple nights ago. Lol

macgirl 3 years 39 weeks

I'm not shocked at all.

3 years 39 weeks

The article states that 35 is the average age of an ADULT video gamer, not all gamers. The age group surveyed is "500 adults aged 19 to 90 ". Your headline is misleading (or wrong).

pearsbeary 3 years 39 weeks

what's this average age based on? people buying the game? or actual gamers responding to surveys? the data points could be easily skewed

b1uebunn 3 years 39 weeks

I'm going to guess it's World of Warcraft that's skewing the results. There are some older people in there. Also, my brother is 35. He's still a gamer. He's also gainfully employed, married, and a father of 3. He grew up with Atari, then the first Nintendo, etc. It's just a norm that's part of that age group's life and always has been.

Link Love

11 Comments

You Might Also Like