A Third of Brits Play Games, Says Report

Logan Westbrook

Transform, Roll Out, Etc
Feb 21, 2008
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A Third of Brits Play Games, Says Report



New figures show that Britain is fast becoming a nation of gamers.

A report released by UK trade organization ELSPA and the ISFE says that 32% of the people in Britain have dabbled in games at least once in the last six months.

According to the figures, most British gamers play for less than an hour a day, but around eight per cent play for more than 16 hours a week. The PC was found to be the most popular platform, with 33% of all game players using it. The Wii closely followed with 27% and the Xbox 360 came in third with 9%.

ELSPA Boss Michael Rawlinson credits social games, iPhone titles, and the Wii for the figures: "In the last few years, the development of motion sensor technology saw gaming become more accessible to new audiences who didn't previously connect with the industry," he said. "With the growth of gaming platforms such as social networking sites and the iPhone, we are witnessing once again the growth of gaming into new areas of society, truly showing that the UK is a nation of gamers."

32% might not sound massive but put into context, that 32% represents nearly 20 million people who engage with some sort of game on at least a semi-regular basis. That's a large and rather impressive number in my book, and a fantastic base for the industry to grow further.

Source: VG247 [http://www.vg247.com/2010/06/29/elspa-32-percent-of-uk-population-now-gamers/]





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Danallighieri

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Jun 3, 2010
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It doesn't mention the ps3! But those statistics don't surprise me, most everyone I know who isn't my parents play games every so often
 

ZombieGenesis

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Apr 15, 2009
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Sounds about right- bearing in mind a lot of these people are playing games like Modern Warfare 2 and Wii minigames. Not that it's a bad thing, they can do what they like, but there's still a healthy number of people I know who play more hardcore gamers-games, which is why the new Nintendo revisitations will go over very well here in the UK.
 

Dragon_of_red

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Dec 30, 2008
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Hoorah for Vidoe Games!

Its really not suprising, though only about 10% of those people would fit into the 'hardcore' style... The majority would probably be the 'causal' ones
 

DividedUnity

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Oct 19, 2009
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Yeah it should be higher than that. With such shitty weather its a wonder that everyone isn't a gamer
 

Onyx Oblivion

Borderlands Addict. Again.
Sep 9, 2008
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Explains the booming Brit population on gaming websites like this one.

Not that I mind it at all, or anything.

[sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub]YOU BRITS CAN READ THIS CAN'T YOU?! LEAVE US ALONE![/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub]
 

Jordi

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Jun 6, 2009
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I hope politicians and the media will pick up on this and start treating video games better.
 

Cabisco

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May 7, 2009
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Games will still be blamed for everything though, and the wonderful tax cut will still go away. Shame, I would of hoped information like this may kick start something in british society but it won't.
 

Albino Boo

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Jun 14, 2010
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Those figures aren't a shock because computer gaming stared off about 10 years earlier in the UK than it did in the states. The zx81 and the zx spectrum sold huge numbers here while making little impact in the states. Most men of my generation either had one themselves or had friend that had a zx computer, so we grew up with games. Now with the Wii gaming less a solitary male pursuit and much more a family activity. I suspect in about 10 years time the figures in the US will be very much the same
 

iLikeHippos

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Jan 19, 2010
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I'm going to have to refine my English accent insults over Xbox live.

Like "May I shine your shoes sir?" with a voice that tries to imitate a street boy at the age of 8.

Or "Could I have a scones with my tea please?" with a voice that tries to imitate an actor from The Life of Bryan.

They are crude, yes; Important thing is, however, is that I am working on them insults.
 

El Poncho

Techno Hippy will eat your soul!
May 21, 2009
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I found when MW2 came out a lot of girls picked up on it, only if they would expand further, it would be glorious:p
 
Feb 13, 2008
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RAH! Rule Britannia! :)

iLikeHippos said:
They are crude, yes; Important thing is, however, is that I am working on them insults.
A good form to follow is "[Polite Denotation], are like a [Animal known for being indicative of their behaviour] that has just been [Extreme circumstance that would increase said behaviour]. [Dimissal]"

For instance, "You, sir, are like a dog that has just been inducted in a ball-licking contest. I bid you adieu."
 

Chipperz

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Chronamut said:
Apparently on STEAM and Xbox Live (well the X-box live one I haven't seen proper statistics for yet) people in the UK (meaning not just England) use voice chat the least lol.
Well, this is because...

iLikeHippos said:
I'm going to have to refine my English accent insults over Xbox live.

Like "May I shine your shoes sir?" with a voice that tries to imitate a street boy at the age of 8.

Or "Could I have a scones with my tea please?" with a voice that tries to imitate an actor from The Life of Bryan.

They are crude, yes; Important thing is, however, is that I am working on them insults.
...Well, I rest my case.

I'm actually surprised it's this low. Everyone I know plays games of some kind - my ENTIRE family plays something. My mum recently tried Total Annihilation, I was so proud :D
 

jamesworkshop

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Sep 3, 2008
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Chronamut said:
Apparently on STEAM and Xbox Live (well the X-box live one I haven't seen proper statistics for yet) people in the UK (meaning not just England) use voice chat the least lol.
It's because we can spot lazy americans easier with text chat when they refuse to spell words that should have a "U" in them properly

Colour
Armour
 

Jared

The British Paladin
Jul 14, 2009
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And we are only 4th largest developer because the government wont give the industry the tax breaks it needs...

But still, thats awesome. Almost 1/3 there!