The Changing of the Tides: How Women have become the Leading Gaming Demographic

If you were to think of the stereotypical gamer, your mind would conjure up images of a male student with a considerable amount of leisure time and ample amounts of disposable income. While this makes perfect sense in some respects, it is grossly inaccurate and arguably has been for more than five years. In fact, if recent statistics released by the Internet Advertising Bureau are to be believed, women have now emerged as the dominant gaming demographic and account for 52% of all players.

How has the Evolution taken Place?

While it may be tempting to consider this is a sudden and surprising change, it has in fact been becoming increasingly likely during the last seven years. As long ago as 2007, for example, the estimated ratio of female gamer stood at 42%.  By 2010 this had reached 47%, and these statistics confirm that women have become increasingly active across console and social gaming platforms. As the diversity and popularity of gaming has evolved, so too the number of female players has risen incrementally to a point where this demographic is now dominant.

Diversity alone is not enough to explain such a gradual and consistent shift, however, as a wider range of available titles should also appeal to male gamers. Accessibility is also a key consideration, as the development of real-time and instant play casino platforms appeals to busy enthusiasts who can play on the move without disrupting their daily schedule. As mobile gaming has become increasingly popular, it has become a viable past-time for even busy individuals who would not usually have the time or the inclination to operate a console.

The Freemium Model and Contemporary Gaming

On the subject of mobile and real-time gaming, it is important to note that many of these titles are operated according to a freemium business model. More specifically, they are free to access and offer gamers the autonomy to determine how and when they spend their hard earned cash as they play.

This is another key factor in the rise to prominence of female gamers, as free to access titles encourage novice players to indulge their burgeoning passion without requiring them to spend vast sums of money on console platforms. Female players have therefore been more inclined to try their hand at mobile gaming, and subsequently revelled in its accessibility, affordability and immersive nature.