Why are people over 30 more addicted to video games than young people?
The world of video games has evolved tremendously over the years. Today's games, with high-definition graphics and online multiplayer services, are more immersive and engaging than ever. However, it can often lead to addiction, and it's not just children and teenagers who are at risk. A survey conducted by ExpressVPN revealed that millennial gamers spend more time playing video games than younger generations.
Millennials, the biggest players
The study conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom with 1000 gamers from each country reveals that people aged 30 to 40 are more likely to play video games daily, 68% of them. For comparison, only 58% of 20-year-old gamers play it every day. Millennials are also more likely than Gen Z to devote an entire day to gaming each week. Gamers aged 46-55 are less likely to game every day than millennials, but they're more likely to spend more than 24 hours playing in a single gaming session (!).
Reasons for millennial addiction
The first reason is that they grew up with the video game industry. They saw the evolution from an 8-bit pixelated environment to a lush and realistic universe. For many kids in the 80s and early 90s, video games are a way to relax, bond with friends, and even make new ones. In contrast, Gen Z grew up with mobile devices in their pockets and never knew a world without internet access. For them, video games may just be a way to pass the time and escape reality for a while.
The second reason is that millennials have more income to spend on their favorite entertainment than their younger counterparts, likely still students or just starting their working lives. A third of millennials surveyed say they're willing to spend between $50 and $100 on a single-player game, and almost a fifth don't mind shelling out more than $100.
Addiction to video games
Most video games define very specific objectives that gamers must achieve in order to progress in their missions. This feeling of accomplishment leads to the sudden release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for satisfaction and happiness. This release of dopamine can lead to video game addiction. In fact, 59% of millennials say they continue to gamble even though they know it can disrupt their sleep or interfere with their other responsibilities.
Mobile phones have become gamers' favorite gaming devices, according to a recent survey. In fact, 70% of respondents said their mobile phone is their favorite gaming device. This can be explained by the increasing power of smartphones, which allow users to play video games even when they are on the go. However, this does not mean that PCs and game consoles have become obsolete. In fact, the survey also revealed that many gamers still prefer playing on these platforms. The availability of classic and modern games on all platforms shows that technologies continue to evolve to meet the needs of gamers.