Home Gaming Survey says more US women own gaming consoles than men

Survey says more US women own gaming consoles than men

2 min read
95

Women

The general consensus is that more and more women are playing video games – they just tend to shut up about it because dudes on the internet can, and frequently are, patriarchal jackasses who not only refuse to believe that women play video games, but believe that those who do are automatically inferior to men who play videogames.

According to the ESA, there is a significant gender split in those who label themselves as gamers; 56 percent of respondents who identified as gamers were men, while 44 percent were women. The ESA’s sample includes those in broad age categories – from children to the aged. Close(ish!) to half of the people who play games are women.

According to a new study by the Pew (pew pew?) Research Centre (via SegmentNext) , more women than men own consoles in the USA. 40 percent of Americans have a game console in their households. Interestingly 42 percent of respondents said they owned videogame systems “like Xboxes and PlayStations” are women. Just 37 percent were men. Pew’s research specifically focused on those over the age of 18. Statistically, the sample size here, two groups of around 950 people is relevant, giving a margin of error of around 3%.

The automatic assumption is that these women are buying consoles for their kids – but that’s a strange assumption, when the same could be said for the men who responded. I really do believe that there are many, many women who play video games, and that the idea of the medium existing as a boys club is flawed. That however, is the perception, and it’s something that needs changing. Women play games – they’re just less likely to chat about them on forums and websites. Seeing the sorts of comments that get bandied about, I can’t say I blame them. There’s a big difference between somebody who plays games, and somebody who’s a video game enthusiast.

If you were wondering why there’s such a big deal about representation in games at the moment, this is a big reason – and it’s probably prudent that game publishers do make their games more representative, or they risk cutting out half of their potential market.

Last Updated: November 5, 2015

95 Comments

  1. Pieter Kruger

    November 5, 2015 at 10:03

    They get the consoles after the divorce, together with the flatscreen tv, car and house…….????????????

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 5, 2015 at 10:11

      What does a wife and a grenade have in common?
      You take the ring off and the house is gone

      Reply

      • Raptor Rants

        November 5, 2015 at 10:14

        Cold dude. Cold

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 5, 2015 at 10:17

          Yeah, one would be without a house

          Reply

          • Raptor Rants

            November 5, 2015 at 10:18

            Yoh

          • Captain JJ the Goo

            November 5, 2015 at 10:18

            Haha

          • Ir0nseraph

            November 5, 2015 at 10:19

            XD

          • VampyreSquirrel

            November 5, 2015 at 10:20

            On a roll!

      • WitWolfy

        November 5, 2015 at 11:44

        Some of them are duds?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 5, 2015 at 12:14

          rofl

          Reply

      • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

        November 5, 2015 at 12:12

        HAHAHA, golden

        Reply

    • Captain JJ the Goo

      November 5, 2015 at 10:15

      Don’t forget about the kids and pets.

      Reply

  2. Raptor Rants

    November 5, 2015 at 10:04

    Pew Pew Research center. I lol’d

    Reply

    • HairyEwok

      November 5, 2015 at 10:29

      I be you the QQ about the name now.

      Reply

  3. Graeme Norval

    November 5, 2015 at 10:11

    I’m assuming it’s because all those people on Xbox Live who are having sex with your mom also get her to buy a console so they can play when they go around.

    Reply

  4. Captain JJ the Goo

    November 5, 2015 at 10:14

    What I’ve found with my wife is not that she doesn’t partake in internet chats and things because “men are jackasses”, it’s just because it doesn’t interest her. She gets all the info she needs on games through gaming sites and Steam.
    She also prefers SP games though, so that might make a difference.

    Reply

  5. Captain JJ the Goo

    November 5, 2015 at 10:22

    That header pic though. Seriously.
    Pick a damn controller already. And make sure it’s the Xbox one.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 5, 2015 at 10:24

      Y u hate her?

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the Goo

        November 5, 2015 at 10:29

        Seems so fake.

        Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    November 5, 2015 at 10:24

    SonV, V for vendetta. Nice Geoff! Took me a while

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      November 5, 2015 at 10:25

      Damn you and your eagle eyes!

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 5, 2015 at 10:25

        XD

        Reply

    • Raptor Rants

      November 5, 2015 at 10:26

      Sheesh. Well spotted dude 0_0

      Reply

    • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

      November 5, 2015 at 10:32

      xD

      Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      November 5, 2015 at 11:24

      How did you even? I mean that’s, that’s bloody amazing….

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 5, 2015 at 11:43

        I’m persistent

        Reply

    • Nikola

      November 5, 2015 at 11:27

      You on a role today hey!

      Reply

      • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

        November 5, 2015 at 11:36

        *roll

        Reply

        • Nikola

          November 5, 2015 at 11:43

          Thank you sir!

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 5, 2015 at 11:46

          Seems like you are as well…

          Reply

  7. HairyEwok

    November 5, 2015 at 10:34

    The US is being overrun by female console gamers. It’s because they found out they can use Twitch to make money and people will buy them stuff from their wish list.

    Reply

    • 40 Insane Frogs

      November 9, 2015 at 12:04

      Sadly, I’m a furry hobbit type… I will never make a fortune through Twitch. 🙁

      Reply

  8. Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

    November 5, 2015 at 10:35

    Are the consoles in the kitchen?

    Reply

    • Captain JJ the Goo

      November 5, 2015 at 10:36

      Only when OvG is playing.

      Reply

      • Rock789

        November 5, 2015 at 11:29

        That problem is solved by having a small fridge right next to the console… No matter where you are in the house. Problem solved. :p

        Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      November 5, 2015 at 10:37

      Even as a joke, that’s tired sexist bullshit.

      Reply

      • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

        November 5, 2015 at 10:42

        But the XBOX is as big as an oven!

        Reply

        • Geoffrey Tim

          November 5, 2015 at 10:44

          :/

          Reply

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 10:45

            Ok fine, microwave

          • Captain JJ the Goo

            November 5, 2015 at 10:46

            This feels like Arkham Knight on pc.

          • Geoffrey Tim

            November 5, 2015 at 10:46

            Honestly, I’m disappointed, You’re a mod here, and I’d expect better than throwing around shitty, tired sexist jokes. People ask why women don’t comment on gaming sites and such, and this sort of stuff is why. It may seem like light-hearted jokey stuff, but from the outside, it’s pretty hostile.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 10:50

            Oh come now, be serious. Joke is a joke is a joke.

            I could have gone with the whole PC >>> thing even.

            Honestly

          • Bagel

            November 5, 2015 at 10:56

            We live in 2015.
            Jokes are not allowed and offensive.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 10:57

            Apologies, I forgot

          • Bagel

            November 5, 2015 at 10:58

            Its okay.

            Im calling it now. Soon in our lifetime peoples accents will be offensive and sexist.

          • Hammersteyn

            November 5, 2015 at 11:45

            U wot m8?

          • WitWolfy

            November 5, 2015 at 11:46

            “Your accent is so apartheid!”

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 11:49

            Lolwat?

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 11:16

            No, I think Mr Tim actually has a point.

            Comments like that, while seemingly funny, can hurt and cut and, to the casual observer, lead to many assumptions about the author.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 11:26

            While the intent was originally a joke and secondly as stab at the XBoxOne size, and not at all against females, I’m kind of upset as to how this escalated.

            I mean all you have to do is take 10 minutes and look at the trend of my comments and you will find that 90% of it is jokes, and 5% is making fun of Rince/JJ/Darryn and the other 5% is correcting spelling

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 11:39

            Yes, but that is not the point made. All of that is true and I fully understand that.

            To use a stereotype meme, even in a funny way, will always lead to the casual observer taking offence at it.

            I know it is hard not to take this personally (I know I do) and yes, we all know you on the comment boards, but Geoff (Mr Tim) makes a good point about comments like that being somewhat exclusive to some people, men or woman. Especially those new to a scene or comments sections or sites.

            I made a comment about my wife not allowing me to buy a game, in a flippant off hand manner (which I do without even thinking about it) and Yolanda Green (when she still wrote articles here) ripped into my quite hard for being offensive and plain rude to my wife. I thought it was funny. It would seem she did not, and, on reflection, I can see the point: my wife laughed when I told her what I wrote, but she said that other people would not appreciate it at all.

            There is no need for this to escalate

          • Nikola

            November 5, 2015 at 11:47

            I really don’t think Admiral is sexist or try to be it was just a light heartened joke and honestly I think it gotten a bit out of hand. People are waaaaaaaaaay to f** sensitive now days that they can’t take a joke it’s a bit ridiculous if you going to get offended for every little thing then go live on Mars on your own. It was a joke nothing more people really need to get a bit tougher skin if you think you going to survive in the world we line in today.

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 12:01

            yes. And? All that is true.

            Just as my point is true too. That is all I am trying to point out.

            The problem here is that some people already, seemingly, have a stereotype for alpha male gamers that leads to this type of jokes and others far worse. When they read this one, which is really just a joke and very tame, for people that have been on the receiving end of a Call Of Duty (or whatever) verbal abuse session, directed solely at them being woman, how do you think they will react? I have friends that will react very badly to this joke, not because of this joke, but because it reminds them of far worse, yet related, abuse. That is the point. I care about those people, that may or may not read these words. And some of the people I am trying to “protect” will take offence simply at my “protection”. That is ok too.

            you can laugh, you can mock. I care not. Please note not once have I said you are wrong, because you are not incorrect, I just think some perspective is missing. The world is complex, people are even more complex and the internet and forums are open to all sorts of people, regardless of background, gender, race, experience and all that.

            I stand by my words and I fully expect you and the good Admiral and others to stand by theirs. I believe in that right. We do not have to fight, nor do we have to agree. I believe in that too.

          • Nikola

            November 5, 2015 at 12:09

            I am not trying to fight at all with you faaar from it dude! Neither did I say your point is not true. I personally don’t understand where you coming from so can’t relate I just can’t compare abuse to a joke like this which really was completely taken out of context in my opinion. Also I don’t understand the whole alpha male gamers rubbish that’s just nonsense who ever believes in that. However I have seen some assholes on the internet even on LG really being sexist and I will be the first one to tune them absolute crap buuut this joke not to defend Admiral or anything he is flippen annoying believe me nobody likes him I just don’t think he should have been pretty much singled out like that and called sexist pretty much.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 12:10

            You think I’m annoying and you don’t like me?

            Well that just escalated even further :/

          • Nikola

            November 5, 2015 at 12:11

            ahhh I am sorry you had to find out this way we all tried to keep it away from you I am not the only one;) hahha

            Just kidding though to be clear:)

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 12:12

            Oh well, at least I have my PC

          • Nikola

            November 5, 2015 at 12:15

            That’s the saddest part of all that you don’t even have a PS4 lol hahaha!

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 12:20

            *happiest

            You are welcome

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 12:20

            🙂

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 12:13

            Yeah, I read that. Um. Language barrier, right?

            Not what I think at all, nor do I think you, personally, are sexist. In fact I think you are very from being sexist, for the record, and we are more alike in that respect then different.

            I am not trying to personally offend or attack you in any way. Just made some comments to raise some awareness based on two events:
            1. A long conversation with a female friend, gamer and Scifi nut, over the weekend. She actually made the point I made now
            2. A BBC documentary on this issue, just released.

            So, in summary, no offence to you at all, just trying to raise awareness, in a non-argumentative way.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 12:18

            None taken, at all, and Geoff and I already cleared the air behind the scenes.
            Was just surprised that a tongue in the cheek thing that was originally made as a two parter for a joke for the size of the XBOX escalated like that

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 12:20

            All good 🙂

            Well, Life is Strange. And complex.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 12:12

            I’d sooner klap a sexist asshat with a non-stick pan than be sexist.

            And it sucks that the people you know have been hurt, it really does. I HATE that people hide behind keyboards and mics and think they can do/say what they want.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 11:49

            Right, so look at the context first, is what you are implying, yet that is what I’m stating as well.
            Context and intent

          • Brady miaau

            November 5, 2015 at 12:22

            AND Finally

            45% Correcting spelling and grammar
            40% making fun of Rince/JJ/ Darryn/Other
            15% making jokes

            I think that about sums it up. You can argue that making fun of AND making jokes can be interchangeable, but yeah.

          • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

            November 5, 2015 at 12:40

            Sadly, if I don’t correct them, ALL DESCENDS IN ANARCHY!

            (was trying to be optimistic about the corrections)

          • Bagel

            November 5, 2015 at 15:13

            Please tell me Brady how a comment ONLINE CAN CUT YOU.

            Please.

            O N L I N E

            LIKE JUST TURN OF THE SCREEN?

          • Chomp Hippo

            November 5, 2015 at 15:32

            Well some screens have really sharp edges, so you can still cut yourself even if you turn it off. So that’s not a very helpful suggestion.

          • Bagel

            November 5, 2015 at 16:30

            I actually agree with you. Good point.

        • Nikola

          November 5, 2015 at 11:31

          Hahahahah!

          Reply

      • Gardos

        November 5, 2015 at 13:08

        Not only do I agree with Geoff here, I’m shocked that not everybody does. I know it’s a joke and it’s not intended to be offensive but it’s that kind of patriarchal BS that fosters the outdated stereotype of women as subservient and incapable of anything beyond domestic roles. It also alienates the gaming community as a place for “men only”; something which this article addresses! If there’s any group that should be fighting against patriarchy it’s men. Honestly guys, there’s no space in this world for that shit.

        Reply

    • HairyEwok

      November 5, 2015 at 10:41

      If Master Chef the game comes out you could play the game and literally make the food at the same time. Actually a brilliant idea to learn how to make food.

      Reply

  9. DragonSpirit009

    November 5, 2015 at 10:51

    I do enjoy playing games… but sometimes the jackasses out there can be so rude and put a damper on one’s enjoyment.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ the Goo

      November 5, 2015 at 10:53

      It’s easy for us guys to say it’s not so bad or we get it, but the truth is that we really have no idea.
      We try to keep Lazygamer welcoming and friendly to all though. 🙂

      Reply

      • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

        November 5, 2015 at 10:58

        Except the MilkBags!

        Reply

      • DragonSpirit009

        November 5, 2015 at 10:58

        I’m one of those people who doesn’t really care what people say… but sometimes one comment sneaks in and then it hurts.
        Yeah Lazygames is cool… I really don’t mind what you guys are saying, cause most of the time I have no idea what you are saying XD

        Reply

        • Captain JJ the Goo

          November 5, 2015 at 11:01

          To be honest, I think I’ve been here longer and more often that I probably should be, but when I got here I also didn’t understand much of the comments myself either. Takes time.
          I keep coming back though because I honestly just like the site and the articles.
          And the community is okay, I guess 😉

          Reply

          • DragonSpirit009

            November 5, 2015 at 11:03

            Just like how everything comes together on this site. From the writers to all you guys commenting!

        • Brady miaau

          November 5, 2015 at 11:13

          We, me included, try to be clever and make obscure pop culture references we think are insanely funny, and, obviously, everyone else will find just as funny and we will get plaudits and prizes for our wit. Or sarcasm. Or both.

          And there, in a nutshell, is my take on patriarchal bastards on the internet.

          BUT, just ask. I do.

          TL;Dr

          Reply

    • Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja

      November 5, 2015 at 10:57

      I like playing games, playing games with random others, that I don’t like

      Reply

      • Captain JJ the Goo

        November 5, 2015 at 10:59

        I’ve met some really funny and interesting people playing online though. We tend to usually host our own games where we can, so then at least you can kick those who cause trouble. But it’s often worth playing online with random strangers just for the laughs.
        Obviously this greatly depends on the type of game.

        Reply

  10. Bagel

    November 5, 2015 at 10:55

    mfw Verge blew this study out of the water.

    Much like that “Games make people sexist” study.

    Lets report on it anyway.

    Reply

  11. The Sten

    November 5, 2015 at 11:00

    “consider themselves gamers”

    The term “gamer” is so broad now the meaning behind it is pretty much worthless. The only game my sister plays is candy crush and if you ask her, she’ll say, “yes, im a gamer”. She’d be technically right but wrong in so many other ways. These “polls” and “studies” are just lolwtf.

    Reply

    • Bagel

      November 5, 2015 at 11:02

      But hey these “polls” and “studies” push so lets write an article anyway 😀 /

      Reply

    • Captain JJ the Goo

      November 5, 2015 at 11:03

      I read a study about religion and how it’s also often off because people tick a box because “that’s what they grew up with”. Whether they’re still practicing that religion is an entirely different story.

      Reply

  12. WitWolfy

    November 5, 2015 at 11:24

  13. Nikola

    November 5, 2015 at 11:34

    Honestly interesting I would have never thought. If this research is right of course I always and still do assume girls just don’t play games but I guess my whole life I have been around girls that don’t game:)

    Reply

    • WitWolfy

      November 5, 2015 at 11:39

      But in reality, do you really want a gamer GF? Sure every dude is always like. “I’d kill to have one!”

      But just sit and think on how many hours we MALE gamers wasted neglecting our lovers because we wanted to game with our buddies. Heck if my wife did that to me I would’ve left her ass ages AGO!

      Reply

      • Nikola

        November 5, 2015 at 11:50

        I don’t know hey it’s a very good point, I never had a gamer girlfriend so I really would not know I guess until I experience it. I know my ex really did not like me playing games but my argument was always you read books in your free time while I play games in mine what’s wrong with that!

        But I see your point I think it’s important when you do have a wife/gf that gaming does not interfere with the time you supposed to be spending with each other I guess it’s all about balance end of the day and agreement between two people. When I was in a relationship my game time was MUCH less than it is now:)

        Reply

        • WitWolfy

          November 5, 2015 at 11:53

          In all fairness when me and my wife first started dating she bought me my first Xbox 360 and games back in the day, to keep me out of clubs and bars..

          Reply

          • Nikola

            November 5, 2015 at 11:56

            You see clever women would you rather you husband/bf go out every weekend to clubs get hammered and does who knows what or be a gamer??? 🙂

  14. VoidWalker

    November 5, 2015 at 14:14

    Yeah I think the article stated the right answer . . . there are single mothers who own these consoles because their kid’s play not them. Just look at the studies done on actual games being played. More console games are played by men and more mobile games are played by women. These studies have been done before.

    “Women play games – they’re just less likely to chat about them on forums and websites. Seeing the sorts of comments that get bandied about, I can’t say I blame them” Huh? Like what?

    Reply

  15. Marc O Polo

    November 6, 2015 at 05:08

    You know, 69% of statistics are made up!!!

    Reply

  16. 40 Insane Frogs

    November 9, 2015 at 12:03

    But who’s going to make our sandwiches now? 🙁

    Reply

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