Twitch Breaks Down Gamers Into Five Personas
When most people think of gamers they likely picture young men sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end, letting their rage rip at the virtual world around them. While that is certainly true of some gamers, it is not the whole story. A new study commissioned by video game streaming site Twitch breaks down gaming personas and their habits, showing that gaming has grown beyond the traditional demographics of young males playing violent games.
The research, conducted by life-coaching firm Howe’s LifeCourse Associates and published on the video game site Twitch, breaks gaming down into five different personas: The Ultimate Gamer, The Enthusiast, Casual Gamer, Gamers for Fun, and The Loner. While all gamers are primarily interested in playing, some place more importance on the community aspects of the hobby, while others place greater value on learning.
According to the report, The Ultimate Gamer accounts for just 4% of the gaming population. These are the gamers who play every system and genre, often investing in esports hardware and keeping up with the latest releases. They spend a lot of their free time playing games but also invest a good amount of time watching content and searching for information on the industry.
The next persona is the Enthusiast, who makes up 7% of the gaming population. This group likes a variety of games but also leans towards the more interactive ones such as shooters and RPGs. They are more likely to be full-time workers and tend to spend less time on their other hobbies but still have enough disposable income to purchase Day 1 releases and the accompanying equipment.
Casual Gamers make up 23% of the gaming population. This group enjoys all kinds of games but places more importance on social interaction with other gamers. They like to play with friends and participate in gaming competitions. They also spend a lot of their free time playing mobile games, which are often the entry point into the gaming world for many people.
Gamers for Fun take up the third largest persona with 9% of the gaming population. They are mainly younger and lean toward online multiplayer games. While they like to compete, they also enjoy the social aspect of multiplayer gaming and love the sense of accomplishment when they earn a level up or complete a quest.
The Loners account for the final 5% of the gaming population. This group is largely comprised of those who play single-player games on their mobile devices. They are most interested in puzzle and matching games, with high-score chasing being the primary motivating factor.
Overall, the study shows that gaming is a broad-based activity with players of all ages and genders enjoying the many benefits. While some gamers struggle with addiction, the majority is able to control their spending and use their gaming as an outlet for stress, anxiety, or boredom. Video games also help develop the brain in many ways, from pattern recognition to learning through inductive reasoning and hypothesis testing. This helps prepare the player for real-life challenges and teaches them how to overcome obstacles.