MMOGs & Half of the Americans

Bora Yoldas, 15th May 2008

MMOGs & HALF of the AMERICANS

The statistics show us such an important reality. They indicate the place of the games in our lives through a reasearch made on the American society. Yes, it is a kind of research what was made only on American people. However, because of its dimensions all around the world, it also affects us from the point of view that availibility in so many other countries. Especially in the countries where popular culture captured people, the results do not very 180 degrees. So USA is a nice example of this… According the research, ½ of Americans play them including 76% of children, 69% heads of household, 25% of those over 50. If the result was just about the incredible dimension of the popularity of MMOGs on children or just on a people from the same age group, yes it could be considered more ordinary perhaps. However;

• 69% heads of households.

• 25% of those 69% is in the age group of “50+”

Half of this population, and so many children… I can understand it in a way, however especially the householders issue is really a serious question mark. I want to analyse the issue with three points. First of all, it reminds us a tall tale told for many years. “You’re too big!” No, we are not as seen on the figure! It shows that everybody needs to “leave” the “real life” for a while, to get rid of the daily stress. Secondly, the high rate in households. Yes, it is a high rate and maybe househods’ heads are maybe the group of people who most needs that type of things. It is not like being kid. The family issues, deprivations of kids, relation with the wife / husband, economical problems, etc. So it should not be a really interesting result in my opinion. And especially in last years, the games and graphics of them can not be called anything childish. When you think that even some games are criticized with no mercy because of their affects of children, you can easily understand that some games are really for adults. And you know, there is a symbol on some games about the proper age group to be played by. So what is the so interesting thing to get surprised??? Thirdly, the rate of the rate: 25% of 69%. It is another point to be abstracted. Especially people after an age should be interested in something to enjoy. For instance; after the retirement, people need something to do, and after 50, everybody will need to waste their negative energy. So I also think that these types of things such MMOGs are really suitable for adults. Maybe even more than children, who knows?