Teens Losing Interest In Gaming? 227
Survey firm Piper Jaffrey has results saying that teenagers are losing interest in videogaming. From the Gamasutra article: "Interestingly, almost 80 percent of teens indicated that they intend to spend less time playing video games in 2006 and nearly 70 percent indicated that their interest in playing video games is decreasing." What do you think could be causing this drop in interest from young people? Sequels? Mature themes? Sequels?
Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:5, Insightful)
I'd post more, but I don't want to frighten off Slashdot's majority population.
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Then there are cars, and clubs, activities, drinking, partying, hobbies, etc.
As kids grow up more of the world becomes available to them.
And then there is still the stigma associated with being a gamer; of being childish or geeky or dorky.
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
No. Unless your system clock and/or logic circuits were broken.
Re: Much Dumb dah dumb dumber (Score:2)
A modern teenager is unlikely to utter such a sentence. Instead I would expect something like:
"Yeah, I think I gonna game less next year, 'cause o, like, girls, y'know?"
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Even if a 16 year old wouldn't say it, I think it's more than just puberty, girls, etc. I think the novelty has simply worn off, because there aren't going to be revolutionary changes in gaming for years. For example, Atari 2600 to NES (big change), NES to SNES/Genesis/early good PCs (big change), that bunch to 3D graphics cards in PCs/Playstation/Xbox (big change), then....incremental changes. Sure, PS3 looks better than PS2 looks better than PS1, but the games are basically the same. I'll skip PS3/XBo
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Do they actually do any of those? maybe
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:4, Interesting)
I'm in college and there are simply a lot more things to do whether it be work or walking down the hallway to someone elses room. No longer to I get home from school like I did in 10th grade at 3:00 to an empty house and load up a game of counterstrike since thats where all of my friends are, now my friends are down the hall (and really, though people still play CS to this day, gamers are much more spread out than they were back then). Even still in high school I started playing less. Last year I certainly played less. There were definately games that I would devote my time to (such as HL2 when it came out) but there was much less compulsive multiplayer action. Frankly, by then my friends and I all could drive, I had a part-time job and a girlfriend who was closer and more readily available than the girlfriend I had through so much of my counterstrike time.
there will always be computer games, I played some WoW over the summer (and intend to play again this summer) and I still will hop into a CS:s server or something in college when I feel like some gaming (the HL2 expansion gets released the first day of my reading period before finals week, its probobly going to kill me) but other things certainly have priority over gaming.
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
* where things looming over my head, in no particular order, could be one of the following (in no particular order):
1) Numerical Analysis Homework
2) Implementation of AES algorithm with CBC mode in MATLAB
3) Giant Java software project
4) DFT and
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:5, Funny)
Those are strong words. Strong, bewildering words.
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Interestingly, almost 80 percent of teens indicated that they intend to spend less time playing video games in 2006 and nearly 70 percent indicated that their interest in playing video games is decreasing.
At least TFA did not refer to anything showing that the afe group itself was experiencing a declne. If you looked at the underlying data to see otherwiser, then I just have one thing to say: "You must be new here".
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
The problem with the Slashdot article, on the other hand, is that it should read Teens lose interest in gaming?, because without comparing the results from the ten previous studies done by this bloke, the stats in the article have nothing to do with the general trend implied by the Slashdot title.
If the figure had been much lower in all his other studies, w
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Perhaps less caffeine is in order?
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
could be worse. (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:3, Insightful)
In another vein if game developers want to pay attention to the socializing aspect of their games (MMOGs come to mind) then they will want to start adding alot more interactive, social aspects that do not necessarily follow the old fashioned game progression ethos.
Games like
Friends? (Score:2)
I'm confused. Please explain this "Making 'Friends'" you speak of? Will the standard gcc complier work? Where can I get the source?
So much missing info! (Score:3, Interesting)
2. What do the numbers say for the s
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Re:Dumb dah dumb dumb (Score:2)
Better Things to Do? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:5, Insightful)
Sex has little to do with the change of interests here. What's actually the case is that fads, and popularity of things are generally determined by what other people are doing. These kids were playing video games because their friends were all playing video games, and they didn't want to be left out.
Same reason people bought Pet Rocks. You bought them because everyone else was.
Unlike Pet Rocks though, video gaming is not a useless exercise, and contains a reasonable enjoyment level, similar to television. I expect to see gaming decrease in popularity as kids find other entertainment to do, and we'll see the amount of gaming level off.
God, heaven forbid table-top RPGs ever become truely popular with the in-crowd. Then when they all would lose interest, everyone would think that RPGs would be dying out, when they would really just be returning to normal levels. Just like what's happening with gaming right now
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Just like how movies in the 50'
Yes and no (Score:3, Insightful)
Well, I'm a gamer right in the middle of the 30's, and I also find myself less attracted to games lately. So while this is just one guy, so not a statistic or analysis or anything, I'll still go ahead and post my impressions. Namely that it isn't "broadening", it isn't waiting for the next console, it's just interest seems to fade at my end of the market too:
A) less and less games are any good.
- Sequels, f-ing sequels. And verb
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Hard core gaming is no more unusual than hard core gardening or hard core house decoration. It's really just another hobby.
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Why do you think that passively reading a book is a stimulating activity, while actively participating in a game isn't. This is complete crap. That said, programming is just a big game (but I actually get paid to do it..... and N
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Any slow down in teenage gaming is now starting to be absorbed by seniors gaming, as gaming further spreads it's demographic. Older game players tend to buy older games at a discount, rather than the latest and greatest, it
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
1) Books are good but have no interactivity, which is part of what I don't like about TV. Very nice for relaxing all the decision making-circuits tho, e.g. bring a book while getting some sun. Unless I'm in that mood or the book is really good, I get too restless.
2) Athletics? Physically stimulating, but notoriously BORING in my experience. At least the "running around" or "pushing weights"
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
But there are a lot more good books than good games, simply because there are very few classic games that keep value after their "tech peek" (like Tetris).. But there are lots of good books that were written a long time ago that are still interesting... The library is just larger.
Re:Better Things to Do? (Score:2)
Well, we have been producing books for a couple of thousands of years longer than videogames. Lots of old printed crap has simply vanished from sight, as will lots of crappy games. But the library of classic games will still grow
getting older? (Score:2)
Re:getting older? (Score:2, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Saw it coming (Score:2)
Go out and pick up a used Gamecube with four controllers and Smash Bros Melee for under $200 and tell me its outrageous on systems.
Re:Saw it coming (Score:2)
Re:Saw it coming (Score:2)
Re:Saw it coming (Score:2)
The cost of gaming depends on what types of games you play. I mostly play strategy based games which don't require an insane video card.
Re:Saw it coming (Score:2)
fanboy alert! fanboy alert! fanboy alert! (Score:2)
Re:Saw it coming (Score:3, Insightful)
Technology and Creativity (Score:4, Insightful)
Also, I also like to believe that games were more fun and creative. When was the last time you played a game like Quest for Glory? How about Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure? I'm sure there are still creative games being made today, but it gets difficult to find the gems among the rest of what's being produced (I liked Katamari Damacy ;).
How many times do you need to play the same thing? (Score:2)
No one dares to take much of a chance of producing anything but the big three (on computers), first-person-shooter, real-time-strategy, or MMORPG. There might be some mixing between the thre
Maybe... (Score:3, Interesting)
Perhaps they've discover this thing called "Real Life".
Re:Maybe... (Score:2)
Re:Maybe... (Score:4, Insightful)
Sure it does. Us adults have already discovered 'Real life'. We're running away from it.
Ah, yes... (Score:2)
Ah, yes, Real Life [reallifecomics.com]... Great on-line comic.
Sorry, you didn't mean something else, did you?
Are they being honest? (Score:5, Insightful)
Smokers usually "intend" to quit too.
Saying it isn't doing it.
-- Should you believe authority without question?
Re:Are they being honest? (Score:2)
Re:Are they being honest? (Score:4, Informative)
Anyway, let's take a look at some past Piper Jaffray survey results [piperjaffray.com]:
Percent of surveyed student households that have at least one video game platform
Q1 2006: 81%
Q3 2005: 79%
Q1 2005: 76%
Q3 2004: 81%
Q1 2004: N/A
Percentage of students state who state they are occasional game players (playing at least monthly)
Q1 2006: 59%
Q3 2005: 58%
Q1 2005: 49%
Q3 2004: 54%
Q1 2004: N/A
Now, this is only over a two-year period, but correct me if I'm wrong, I'm seeing a (possible) slight increase in the number of occasional game players and a somewhat steady number of households with at least one video game platform.
I didn't look for their past surveys so I don't know what the mindset was in 2003 and earlier.
To me, it doesn't look like anything is moving. Also, bear in mind just because you spend less time playing games doesn't mean you're going to buy less games: it could just mean you're playing each game less.
Add all this to the fact that Piper Jaffray seems more interested in where teens are buying shoes [pbs.org] that I am ready to write this off as non-news.
I'd like to know what they asked.. (Score:2)
Crap games.... (Score:2)
Sequels:
Stupidly expensive Consoles...
Handhelds which are instantly outdated...
PC's which are cheaper than said console, do alot more than said console, and even cost less than said console.
Hum... i wonder why kids today play less games.
Re:Crap games.... (Score:2)
The Cube is below 100 bucks.
My DS is still current, last time I checked. And there has been no new PSP. And the GBA is still a major player.
Cheaper? No way. For the cost of a new mobo and processor with any kind of upgrade path, I could buy any of the last gen consoles, any handheld or a Revolution (if it was out) plus some games. And then I need to buy the next graphics card, too. Keep in mind
And yet..... (Score:2)
Re:And yet..... (Score:2)
Many factors (Score:3, Interesting)
I really think this is just the regular ebb and flow of the games industry. I have a hard time believing that people are becoming less interested in games, although the one thing that might contribute to it would be the increase in interactive media. Rather than play a game, people are browsing on YouTube, updating MySpace, etc.
The new baby boomers. (Score:3, Insightful)
The Hollywood effect (Score:5, Insightful)
Sound familiar? It's the same thing we constantly take the piss out of Hollywood for every time movies come up. At the forefront of this are the likes of Bethesda and Bungie - flashy graphics, sequels and series, micropurchases, and universally unsatisfactory gameplay saved only by a few major strengths.
Re:The Hollywood effect (Score:2)
I love Bungie. I'm the proud owner of a Mac Action Pack, and it is excellent.
However, you know what game we've been playing around here in my dorm? Doom II.
We've all re-installed this gem and are blasting each other away in deathmatch. I've been playing lots of single player too, and even today, the game still stands out. I'm only 20, so I wasn't allowed to play it when it came out, but damn, Doom is just as good as I heard it was.
I've stopped playing video games on consoles.
Re:The Hollywood effect (Score:2)
Please tell me what's wrong with Bethesda. Oblivioin is freaking awesome.
Bungie, while not nearly as good as they used to be (Marathon), have suffered a change in management, so it's to be expected.
A better example is EA Games. Seriously. Sequel heaven, and piss-poor management. Command and Conquer went from my all-time favorite franchise to a mediocre re-hash since they took it over.
Re:The Hollywood effect (Score:2)
It has freaking awesome graphics.
That's it.
ALL the rest is a step backwards from Morrowind.
Have a look at the quests. Morrowind had some interesting, challenging quests. That frigin dwemer cube, you'd crawl the whole goddamn fortress, kill all the spectres and mecha spiders, levitate to the top of that huge hall, and nothing. And then on your way to the exit, defeated, you'd notice the goddamn MIDDLE floor, right under your nose, several steps from the exit.
Now what
Re:The Hollywood effect (Score:2)
Re:The Hollywood effect (Score:2)
"Please tell me what's wrong with Bethesda. Oblivioin is freaking awesome."
If there's such a whinefest, it probably means it isn't so freaking awesome, right?
Re:The Hollywood effect (Score:3, Insightful)
Good post, bad examples. Bungie, whose almost every game had impressive physics and realism for its day (compare Marathon Vs Doom, Myth Vs Command and Conquer, Halo Vs Quake 3). Bungie, who turned genres upside down with innovation (again, Myth: The Fallen Lords) instead of Westwood Studios, the king of RTS franch
Gaming only for nerds (again) ? (Score:2)
What I see in the forum, is lots of people talking about their problems and getting new boyfriends/girlfriends.
Perhaps there's a social implication in this - now people lose their virginity at a much younger age than before.
So I guess that nerds (who can't get a gir
Re:Gaming only for nerds (again) ? (Score:2)
Money/Value (Score:2)
Re:Money/Value (Score:2)
Re:Money/Value (Score:2)
Well.. I for one (Score:2)
Re:Well.. I for one (Score:2)
Re:Well.. I for one (Score:2)
[remark about how witty and original I am]
I've had to re-arrange my budget because the only game in town is on the other side of it: Dungeons and Dragons is the cause of the war in Iraq.
Flawed... (Score:2)
Card games syphoning time away? (Score:2, Informative)
Lack of compelling games (Score:5, Insightful)
It's the Quality, stupid (Score:2)
Fundamentals of gaming (Score:2)
The amount of technology required to do this depends on the interactive needs of the player.
Personally, my gaming has very low CPU requirements. There is no need to stick on the upgrade treadmill. I have a P133 with no mouse that runs Angband OK. My online gaming experience is satified at 3k.org [3k.org].
Re:Fundamentals of gaming (Score:2)
game quality is poor (Score:2)
also, the mmorpg fad is pushing gaming down. people that play those games are not necessarily playing because it's fun, but because it is the only thing to play that has any game
PC Gaming (Score:2)
I'm a PC Gamer. I played console games from way back to the Atari 2600 up until the PS1. I have a PS2 but I don't play it.
I don't play console games anymore. From my point of view, console games are generally all flash and no soul. There's very little 'game' in the videogames that come out for the console. It's all about graphics.
I may be biased not because I play PC games but that I remember a time when it wasn't all about graphics. I learned to love the games for
Teens are not the market anymore... (Score:5, Insightful)
Adult gamers are the cash cow of the gaming industry - teens are a secondary market.
This is news, how?
I sure hope so (Score:2, Insightful)
...not enough sequels (Score:2)
It's the cost! (Score:2)
There's a line between what you spend on entertainment and what you spend on trying to see some girl's boobs. I know that when I was a teenager, boobs were way more important to me than games. You spend money on what's important to you.
I don't know if girl gamers are spending less time on games; I didn't read the story. Girl gamers seem to be more level-headed about t
Totally agree. (Score:2)
Polls like this are almost next to worthless except when you use them to look at the disparity between what people say and reality (sales figures)
Imagine how the junk and fast food companies stocks would fall if people put stock into these kinds of polls for those things.
Re:Recipe for Disaster (Score:2)
I know when I was a teen, I wanted to play MA-17 games just because they were MA-17. Now that I'm a "grown-up" I can't stand most M rated games.
Re:Hmmm... let's see (Score:2)
Re:Hmmm... let's see (Score:2)
Re:The reason why gamers like me are a dying breed (Score:3, Insightful)
Bullshit. What wasn't a clone in the 70's and 80's? If it wasn't Pong clones, it was Space Invaders clones, then Pac-Man clones...
Re:Or are they going to the movies (Score:2)
Isn't this an April Fool's joke gone awry? Making an actual movie based on a fake movie from SNL?
Re:Video games need a gateway drug (Score:2)
Nintendo is all about "growing the market" nowadays.