The attack of the GameHers
It’s official; female gamers or ‘GameHers’ are taking over the web. In spite of the common perception that online gaming is a predominantly male pastime, a staggering 79 per cent(18,738,000)of women in the UK play games and puzzles online, overtaking men by 1.85 million, according to a study published today.
The research, conducted by online gaming website Zylom (www.zylom.com), also identifies three types of female gamers:
- Davina Codes
The largest proportion of UK GameHers (64%) - Davina Codes- love to solve puzzles and crack codes. Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code would be an easy test for these women who are driven to beat their best score with over a third (39%) admitting to finding online puzzles addictive.
- Lara Switch-Offs
Forget butt-kicking Lara Croft, almost three in five (59%) of GameHers play online games to simply relax and unwind. Lara Switch-Offs get online to indulge in “me time”.
- Brain Fondas
These GameHers want to give their brain a workout and believe playing games and puzzles will help. The Zylom study reveals that nearly half (47%) of women play games and puzzles online in order to keep their brains active and healthy.
As good as sex?
The report reveals British women’s favourite leisure activities with reading magazines topping the poll, closely followed by socialising with friends. However, playing puzzles and games online and having sex were both ranked fifth with 7%.
- Reading (18%)
- Socialising with friends (16%)
- Surfing the internet (13%)
- Watching TV (11%)
- Playing games or puzzles online (7%)
Sex (7%)
Listening to music (7%)
- Shopping (5%)
- Going to the theatre (4%)
Cooking (4%)
- Going to the cinema (2%)
- Sport (1%)
- Drinking (0.2%)
(*Remaining percentage selected ‘Other’)
Not only do GameHers favour online casual gaming over shopping, they are also spending more time online. Almost three quarters (74%) of GameHers spend up to three hours a week playing online games – the equivalent of the time taken for a full head of highlights, cut and blow dry, half day spa treatment, long leisurely lunch, or the Eurostar to Paris.
However, not all women are ready to admit their GameHer status, with 17% of these women choosing to conceal their secret passion for online casual gaming from friends and family.
A new breed of woman
According to the study, the majority of GameHers are aged over 25, with 21 per cent of GameHers aged between 25 and 34 and 20 per cent aged between 35 and 44.
Leading life coach and psychologist Dr Sally Ann Law comments: “There a number of psychological benefits associated with playing games and puzzles online. Women feel empowered, they are able to challenge various skills including leadership, competitiveness, puzzle solving and hand-to-eye coordination in a controlled and relaxed environment. Challenging yourself and trying to achieve a personal best is a proven motivator. There is no doubt that casual gaming can stimulate, challenge and keep brains active and healthy whilst being fun at the same time.
“Men have never had a problem with using a Sony PlayStation as an outlet to let off steam and now the worm has turned. The study proves that more and more women are using online games as a means to de-stress and chill out. Any preconceptions that these activities are male-dominated are disappearing; Women don’t need to feel excluded from accessing a fun, alternative activity just because in the past it’s been associated with men.”
Director of marketing at Zylom, Brendan McNulty says: “Women have been sold short and are not the technophobes they are commonly perceived to be. They have embraced the online entertainment age and are beating their male counterparts.
“The internet is no longer a male dominated space. More and more women are going online and playing games and puzzles online as a means of relaxation, problem solving or mind exercise.”
