NEW YORK — Being a die-hard gamer goes beyond being just a fun hobby. In fact, three in four mobile gamers swear video games have improved their lives. A recent survey of 2,000 American gamers is revealing how video games are more than just entertaining pastimes — 72 percent of respondents attest to the positive impact of video games on various aspects of their daily lives.
Many credit games for enhancing relaxation (68%), improving problem-solving skills (67%), sharpening critical thinking (62%), and better hand-eye coordination (61%). Respondents also claim video games have helped them advance skills, such as cooperating with others (38%), playing certain sports (19%), and even driving (17%).
More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents could feel their moods change when playing video games, as well. Of them, 51 percent feel more relaxed, 27 percent feel happier, and 19 percent feel sharper.
What games reveal about your personality
Commissioned by the mobile game Solitarie Grand Harvest, and conducted by OnePoll, the study also finds a distinct correlation between what games you play and what your personality is like.
Respondents were asked to identify which personality trait they identify with most: agreeableness (friendly, compassionate, and trusting), openness (inventive, curious, and open to new ideas), conscientiousness (efficient, organized, and self-disciplined), extraversion (outgoing, energetic, and action-oriented), or neuroticism (sensitive, nervous, and emotion-driven).
Respondents were then asked what device they prefer to play video games on, with nearly one-third of mobile gamers found to have “agreeable” personalities.
“Research reinforces video games are far more than entertainment; they’re a powerful force for personal growth and positive change,” says the general manager of Solitaire Grand Harvest, Amir Coifman, in a statement.
Over half of those surveyed (57%) consider themselves to be “gamers,” and many mobile gamers feel especially passionate about how their iOS or Android devices stack up against traditional gaming platforms. While Gen Z Americans were most likely to game on iOS (58%) — more than any other generation (millennials 41%, Gen X 33%, and baby boomers 29%) — they were also found to play on Android the least of any generation (28%).
Two in three people who primarily use their phones to play video games believe their platforms should be considered “just as” or even “more” legitimate than playing video games on consoles or computers. Mobile gamers were also found to be more organized (66%), arrive early to meetings and events (51%), and worked more efficiently throughout the day (71%).
“The way we play holds the power to uplift our spirits and enhance our interactions with the world around us, creating a remarkable positive influence on our lives,” Coifman adds.
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans who play video games was commissioned by Playtika between August 23 and August 28, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
