NPD survey reveals kids are now more into gaming

The NPD Group has just published a report entitled “Kids & Gaming,” and it was revealed that children today are getting more into gaming thanks to starting kid-friendly systems. It was also discovered that the PC was the most widely used gaming platform for kids from ages 2-17 (children play games earlier), and exhibited the longest utility lifespan with kids than any other system – 11 years of gaming attachment.

NPD reported that after playing with kid-friendly platforms, children moved on to more advanced gaming systems. Baseline PCs are often the first, then when introduced to Plug & Play systems and dedicated gaming boxes, children moved over to those. NPD points out that at the age of 10, when cell phone gaming enters their lives, they tend to lean for the portable console versions (handhelds) later. Then they move on to the major gaming consoles as they grow older.

Online play was also key in attracting the rise of gaming kids, though it was mostly because online gaming companies offered gameplay for free. Some 91% of the children only played online simply because there were no subscription charges, though 9% of the children – those from higher income families – would soon enter pay-to-play services.

Girls were also found to enter gaming through the kid-friendly spectrum, though as they grow up they eventually drop off “the gaming wagon.” NPD reports that online play was especially significant in attracting girls to gaming, but they also claimed, “Although three groups are all in the same category of spending a higher percent of their gaming time on online, somewhere along the way girls, especially older girls, drop off.” Funny, it was previously claimed they dominated online gaming in later ages.

The NPD Group has just published a report entitled “Kids & Gaming,” and it was revealed that children today are getting more into gaming thanks to starting kid-friendly systems. It was also discovered that the PC was the most widely used gaming platform for kids from ages 2-17 (children play games earlier), and exhibited the longest utility lifespan with kids than any other system – 11 years of gaming attachment.

NPD reported that after playing with kid-friendly platforms, children moved on to more advanced gaming systems. Baseline PCs are often the first, then when introduced to Plug & Play systems and dedicated gaming boxes, children moved over to those. NPD points out that at the age of 10, when cell phone gaming enters their lives, they tend to lean for the portable console versions (handhelds) later. Then they move on to the major gaming consoles as they grow older.

Online play was also key in attracting the rise of gaming kids, though it was mostly because online gaming companies offered gameplay for free. Some 91% of the children only played online simply because there were no subscription charges, though 9% of the children – those from higher income families – would soon enter pay-to-play services.

Girls were also found to enter gaming through the kid-friendly spectrum, though as they grow up they eventually drop off “the gaming wagon.” NPD reports that online play was especially significant in attracting girls to gaming, but they also claimed, “Although three groups are all in the same category of spending a higher percent of their gaming time on online, somewhere along the way girls, especially older girls, drop off.” Funny, it was previously claimed they dominated online gaming in later ages.