In news that likely surprises very few teachers or parents – or anyone who’s visited a restaurant in the past two years – mobile devices are now the devices most used by kids ages 2 to 17 who play video games, with 63 percent of respondents playing them. The report has revealed that personal computers (PCs) are no longer the top gaming platform for children. In the past, the computer was considered the entry point for gaming for most kids, but the game has changed now that mobile has moved into that position.
Advertisement
When you think about it, it isn’t at all surprising that mobile is on the rise. More than half of kids surveyed said they play video games on mobile devices regularly, while less than half of those kids reported playing games on a PC. Of these, the youngest kids – those aged 2 to 5 – are the most likely to play games on mobile devices. NPD didn’t break down the numbers in this regards, however, saying only that it is less significant than the drop seen with PC gaming. What did change, however, was kids’ engagement and time spent on these devices.
2 out of 10 surveyed indicated they are spending more on micro transactions that a year ago. Console gaming, even mobile consoles such as PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS are suffering. “This type of insight is invaluable to anyone engaged in marketing video games to kids”. However, physical games are still in the lead, scooping $27 on average over the same period.
Advertisement
He reasoned that the change is likely due, in part, to the fact that families are increasingly using smartphones and tablets for tasks formerly tended to on desktop or laptop computers so children adapted to new fields for play.
