Study: Americans Love Games, Demos Prove To Be "Crucial"
See Full ImageWe Americans love our video games; that fact seems to rise to the surface every time they conduct one of these studies.
As summarized by Industry Gamers, a recent survey at Today's Gamers shows that a larger percentage of the American population actively plays games in comparison to their European counterparts. The survey sampled over 13,000 Internet users from the Netherlands, France, UK, Belgium, US, and Germany, and the results showed that 87% of US males said they play games; the next highest percentage was the UK with 74%. But not only are more US males playing, they're also spending more time with the hobby: the average player indulges in games around 11.5 hours per week, while UK players only spent about 6.5 hours (although those in France spent 7.1 hours). And while females are simply less likely to play games, the ratios still end up to be about the same. Another interesting aspect of the study is that MMOs are far more popular in the US, as 21% of American gamers say they've participated in such games, while only about half that many (10 or 11%) play MMOs in European countries.
We also learn that demos have become an effective marketing tool. About one-quarter of all console gamers in the US said that a demo was "a crucial factor in their buying decision," and again, this is true for both male and female gamers. Lastly, we find that a surprising percentage of console owners are using their systems to watch videos online; about 66% of American PS3 and Xbox 360 owners do this, although the stat drops to 45% in the UK. Well, I don't know about videos, but I love those demos, too.
10/27/2009 10:44:26 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (22 posts)
JackC8
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 11:24:35 AM
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5 up, 1 down
bearbobby
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 3:24:47 PM
2 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 3:54:14 PM
4 up, 0 down
Imagi
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 11:43:08 AM
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3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 4:40:36 PM
0 up, 0 down
Kevadu
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 12:15:21 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Gabriel013
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 12:35:03 PM
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If I don't get a demo then I might just wait for a preowned copy and the publisher loses the money.
3 up, 2 down
maxpontiac
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 12:36:02 PM
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If I plan on purchasing a title, I usually have my mind made up long before a demo is on the PSN.
2 up, 1 down
Titch1794
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 12:37:14 PM
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3 up, 1 down
therabbitkinge
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 12:46:43 PM
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4 up, 1 down
AshT
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 1:17:03 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Gone
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 2:15:59 PM
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R&C: A Crack in Time is not a bad game, it's just that type of game is not for me. I rather play GoW3. To each is their own.
Last edited by Gone on 10/27/2009 2:20:43 PM
7 up, 1 down
Fane1024
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 @ 12:59:11 AM
0 up, 0 down
Gone
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 @ 9:04:53 AM
I just don't like these types of games in general anymore (Jak and Daxter, R&C, Crash Bandicoot, Sly Cooper). I bought Crash Bandicoot when it came out for PS1 and didn't like it. I guess I have out grown these types of games (cartoon quirkiness). God of War and Final Fantasy are more of my type of games.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 4:41:39 PM
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0 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 5:41:57 PM
but to reiterate on what your saying, the devs who do put out demos understand they shouldnt put the shiniest parts of the game in the demo, it would ruin the immersion and signifacantly the experience when youve already played that part in a 10 min demo. GG was smart with KZ2, to have us play the first 15 min of the game, that way the rest is fresh. may not have been the best part of the game by any stretch. hollywood does htis with movies especially comedies, they put all the action or funny parts in the trailers, then you go see it and u barely laugh at the parts seen in trailers, and the rest is mediocre comedy.
im not saying i dont wish demos were better like you, but i understand why they wouldnt put a boss fight in a demo.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 10/27/2009 5:48:39 PM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 6:19:08 PM
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 @ 8:31:22 AM
1 up, 0 down
slayerkillemall
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 6:28:01 PM
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the demo is the deciding factor wether,i'll pay full price for a game, wait till it drops price,
get it pre-owned,or dont buy at all...
if there is no demo for a game 95% of times,i will dissmiss the game ...
so yes a demo should be the rule,rather than the eception....
Last edited by slayerkillemall on 10/27/2009 6:30:19 PM
3 up, 0 down
Robochic
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 8:10:42 PM
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Just played Ratchet and Clank demo damn now I have to ask for that game as well for christmas really enjoyed the demo
2 up, 0 down
___________
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 @ 12:53:31 AM
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some demos like the batman AA one or the infamous one were quite long for a demo, but than some demos are really short like wanted or some of the older games.
all games should have a demo, that way i can avoid another borderlands happening ;)
biggest disappointment of this year, should of bought the fallout 3 GOTY edition instead.
"more fun than fallout 3" MY ASS!
3 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Reply
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 @ 11:10:35 AM