Survey: Disabled Americans Find Comfort in Casual Games

[Junaid Alam]

Survey: Disabled Americans Find Comfort in Casual Games

Millions of disabled Americans find relief and welcome distraction from their impairments through casual video games, according to a new survey.

An examination of 13,296 casual gamers revealed that 20.5 percent have a mental, physical or developmental disability, compared with a 15.1 percent national average, and that these gamers viewed and responded to casual games differently from other players.

All but 6 percent of disabled players said casual games provided physical or mental benefits, compared with 80 percent of casual gamers overall. Relief from stress, elevated mood, distraction from disability-related problems and improved concentration were listed as the top benefits among disabled players.

The definition of "casual" gameplay varied among this segment of gamers, with 60 percent saying they played casual games for five or more hours a week, 40 percent doing so for 10 or more hours, and 24 percent playing for 16 or more hours.

Their casual gaming preferences mirrored that of non-disabled gamers, with puzzle, word and trivia, and arcade games taking the top three spots.

The survey was conducted by Information Solutions Group for Popcap Games.

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[The_root_of_all_evil]

I don't know whether this is good (Because it paints gaming in a good light), very good(because it looks at ...disabled gamers (Urrghhh...that's a horrible phrase...surely there's something a little more PC) or that it's damn stupid that it took a survey to realise that.

 

[Pebsy]

well it gives gaming an unexpected purpose, and its true that many saw this, but for those parents out there, i dont think a survey will make them beleive that "games are good"

 

[whistleduck]

well i'm a disabled casual gamer, my disability is hypermobile type ehlers danlos syndrome - look it up if you should so feel the need.

i don't tend to find gaming necessarily relieves stress, but i do find that it distracts me from the pain. although i find sitting at a desk/console for long periods of time or using my hands on less than cleverly ergonomically designed control pads incredibly achey. (it's also why i have an issue with typing in capitals, but meh, i least i can spell...mostly!)