Study: Video game usage in Canada
By Adnews Staff
Market research firm Mintel has released the results of a study of Canadian video game usage. According to the survey, 65% of all Canadians play video games, including 96% of males between the ages of 18 and 34 and 80% of females in the same age bracket. Twenty-three percent of respondents reported going online to watch games played by others, including 56% of young men. Twenty-two percent called games as electronic sports to be “just as important as traditional sporting events.”
In addition, 34% of respondents reported being insulted by another player during an online game, while 89% believe video games can be addictive and 56% agreed with the statement that games have a bad influence on the behaviour of young people.
“Gaming overall is in a better market position than it ever has been, establishing itself as a mainstream entertainment industry and no longer a niche product,” said Scott Stewart, a senior technology and media analyst at Mintel. “However, despite this growth, the industry needs to be aware of the evolving cultural issues it faces. If these concerns continue to grow they will likely become increasingly significant barriers in the future, as potential consumers choose not to play video games in an attempt to avoid the possibility of addiction and verbal abuse.”