This study, based on a survey of 350 U.S. primary gamers, strives to provide a comprehensive answer to this question, discussing not only demographics of today's gamer but also how this information can be utilized to determine gaming patterns in the future. This report is broken into four comprehensive sections. First, it discusses the videogame household, noting its demographics as well as platform-specific information. Second, the habits and preferences of households' primary gamers are analyzed. Third, the report discusses purchasing trends, including both hardware and software, intent to purchase, and knowledge of future systems.
Many households use the PC for multiple activities, such as Internet surfing and word processing.
This report examines data gathered in response to survey questions to all aspects of PC gaming, including demographics of PC gamers, the types of games they play, and how long they play. This report also examines other habits related to gaming, such as buying patterns and the use of Web sites and magazines for game-related news, tips, and tricks. This document discusses who will make up the next wave of U.S. online users and how online merchants, publishers, portals, and other players can take advantage of this changing landscape. IDC projects that the online population in the United States will nearly double, from 107 million individuals in 1999 to 210 million by 2004. The next five years will see a dramatic change in the demographic makeup of the online population as it grows to mirror that of the population at large.