A new study from PA Consulting claims to dispel the stereotypes which still surround dedicated video-gamers. According to the researchers, younger gamers in particular are bucking perceptions around mental and physical health and inclusivity when engaging with digital entertainment.

Studies defining the stereotypes of dedicated video-game enthusiasts have traditionally found the myths around the sub-culture are almost uniquely negative. Typical attributes included gamers being unpopular, unattractive, idle, being prone to aggressive outburtsts, or being socially inept. It might seem an odd choice to open a report apparently debunking this unflattering portrait with the admission the next generations of gamers “prefer gaming with friends over going out with them in-person”.

Source: PA Consulting

But from that point, PA Consulting’s study commits to build a profile of gamers which their detractors might be less familiar with. Surveying 4,000 gamers in the UK and US, the researchers found that 63% of respondents valued a healthy body over improving their gaming, and 66% added they favoured a “relaxing gameplay experience” – a far cry from the viral gamers who have littered YouTube for decades with their “rage quit” recordings.

Cormac Ó Conaire, Chief Design Officer at PA Consulting, commented, “Our research dispels outdated stereotypes, revealing that today’s gamers are deeply invested in the health, environmental, social, and wellbeing aspects of gaming. The days of gamers being seen as sedentary and isolated are over. The gaming community has evolved, and it’s essential that the industry evolves with it to meet next-gen gamers’ demands and needs, as highlighted in our survey.”

This still might not totally convince critics of gamers, who would point to the earlier stats suggesting that 44% of gamers still do not favour relaxed experiences, and 47% still would rather improve their gaming skills than maintain their physical health. But PA also analysed its results with a focus on Millennial and Gen Z ‘next gen’ individuals. There, the firm uncovered a trend which suggests that the future of gaming will be an even more different experience from the current perceptions of the lifestyle.

In fact, 70% of next-gen gamers said they would put their physical fitness and reaction times first, instead of the technical performance of their hardware of software when gaming. As a result, 75% said they exercised regularly and maintained a healthy diet to be on top of their game. Meanwhile, 74% went as far as to say they wished games with fitness aspects such as Ring Fit Adventure or Nintendo Switch Sports were promoted more often.

At the same time, the next-gen results suggested that gaming is shifting from being a battlefield to sanctuary. While games based on war or violence are still popular, many gamers are looking for more ‘mindful’ experiences – and 77% of next-gen gamers said they favoured this experience. Due to this, three-quarters of the demographic believe gaming is good for their mental health, and half of the demographic added that they had worked to making their gaming space more relaxing in the last year.

Source: PA Consulting

Meanwhile, returning to the earlier point about preferring gaming to going out, PA contended that modern gaming increasingly centres on providing safe spaces for socialising. In the last year, half of next-gen gamers had upgraded their gaming hardware and peripherals to have a better social gaming experience.

However, next-gen gamers do not always feel developers are supporting this – and may be out of step in continuing to prioritise antagonistic gaming cultures of old. One-in-three said they do not feel represented by games, or that they are part of a community at present, while half said they would like to see the gaming industry show how they can be more ‘social’ and connect with others when they game. The same number also want the industry to create coaching platforms to help improve their in-game performance.

To that end, PA suggested that developers worried by the apparently shaky position of the market in the last year, may want to consider how they can better make their games a gateway to lasting connections and friendships. This calls for a range of responses, including: seamless multiplayer experiences; intuitive communication tools; robust community features; and platforms and interfaces that promote collaboration, camaraderie, and inclusivity.

Norio Fujikawa, gaming design expert at PA Consulting, added, “Gaming is eclipsing many other forms of entertainment, and has become a dominant force in how people unwind and connect. Our survey reveals a chance for brands to engage with a new wave of gamers who value relaxation, social interaction, and sustainability as part of their gaming lifestyle. Companies that can tap into exciting new opportunities in eco-friendly gaming, virtual reality, and healthy gameplay will be well-positioned in this dynamic market.”