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Mom Gamers Study: A New Generation of Gamer

Introduction
Video games have evolved from a niche market to a mass medium enjoyed by an increasingly large and
diverse audience. According the Entertainment Software Associations (ESA) 2013 Essential Facts About
the Computer and Video Game Industry, 45 percent of gamers are women, and women age 18 or older
represent 31 percent of the game-playing population. Women who grew up playing are now in adulthood,
many with children of their own.

To better understand the mom gamer, her attitudes towards playing video games, and her game-playing
behaviors, ESA commissioned a survey among a U.S. representative sample of females over age 18 with
children under the age of 18 in the household. Survey respondents who qualified as mom gamers said
they currently play video games on at least one system or device, such as a smartphone, video game
console, portable game console, computer, or other game system.

Key Finding #1: The vast majority of moms
play video games.




Key Finding #2: Mom gamers play on a
variety of platforms. Smartphones and other
mobile devices are the most popular.

Key Finding #3: The broad selection of game
platforms makes it easy for moms to play.
Three-fourths of mom gamers play video games
at least once a week, and more than one-third
(38 percent) play daily.





Q8. Generally speaking, how often do you play video
games?









74
26 % Among Mom Gamers
(n = 1,845)
Q6. Which of these systems or devices do you
personally use for playing video games?
% Among All Respondents
(n = 2,486)
Plays video games
on at least one
device
Does not play
video games
Q6. Which of these systems or devices do you
personally use for playing video games?
Fast Fact: Thirty-five percent
of mom gamers purchased
some type of video game
software, hardware or
accessory in the past three
months.

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Key Finding #4: Mom gamers enjoy playing
games that challenge their critical thinking.
Puzzle and logic games; card and title games;
and trivia, word, and traditional board video
games are among the most popular genres.










Key Finding #5: Mom gamers pay attention
to the games their children play. The majority
(71 percent) report that they closely monitor
video game content.





















Key Finding #6: Video games play a variety
of roles in moms lives. For example, 30
percent of mom gamers with children age 5-12
say video games help them connect with their
kids.







Key Finding #7: More than half of mom
gamers agree that game play is a family
activity that everyone can get involved in.




Q26. Please tell us your agreement on each of the
following statements.
Q25. Which of the following statements, if any,
describe the role of gaming in your life (on any
gaming system or device)?
Fast Fact: More than half (56
percent) of moms who own a
video game console have either
browsed the Internet or watched
movies on their console in the
past three months.
% Among Mom Gamers
(n = 1,845)
Q15. Please select your three favorite types of
games from the list below that you typically like to
play online or offline, on any system or device?
Q26. Please tell us your agreement on each of the
following statements.
% Among Mom Gamers
(n = 1,845)
% Among Mom Gamers Who Agree Completely/Somewhat
(n = 1,845)
% Among Mom Gamers Who Agree Completely/Somewhat
(n = 1,845)
Fast Fact: Mom gamers with
children between 5-12 years
old are significantly more
likely to play games with
their children (28 percent).