Why do people play videogames? Is there a central reason why that applies to everyone? Did all gamers get involved in the lifestyle at the same time as everyone else, or do people discover games earlier or later on in life. Here are some stats about both gamers and non-gamers.

From the article:

Why do you play video games?

The British Board of Film Classification may have the answer. The BBFC, which assigns game ratings in the U.K., has released the results of its recent survey of gamers. The research used data obtained from gamers and non-gamers alike, ages seven to early forties.

Based on the results, the BBFC reports a broad range of conclusions, including:

Gamers are starting to play at a younger age, even as the average age of gamers is increasing.

Males and females differ greatly in taste in games, how long they play, and how involved they are in the gameplay.

Negative press about a game significantly increases it’s sales and many young gamers choose games based on word of mouth.

Games provide a sense of acheivement, unlike passive mediums like television.

Active participation decreases the tendency to “forget” your experiencing a fantasy vs. non-interactive visual mediums.

Gamers find violence in television and movies more upsetting than violence in games.

While parents agree that games should be regulated, some still consider the whole genre as “kid’s toys”, even games that may include adult content.

Read the article over at gamepolitics.com