More than 50% of French people regularly play video games, a proportion up 3 points over one year, according to a study published Wednesday by the Syndicate of leisure software publishers (Sell), which reveals a popular social practice during the first confinement.
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In 2020, while 71% of French people have played video games at least once a year, 52% say they play them regularly.
Among the latter, 53% are men and 47% are women, with an average age of 39 years, according to the study co-produced by Médiamétrie.
More than attracting new players, "
the confinement effect has definitely (made) very occasional players belong to the video game family, who saw it as an opportunity to play more, or even to equip themselves more
", Nicolas Vignolles, general delegate of Sell, told AFP.
On average, gamers use two different game media.
Smartphones (53%) and home or portable consoles (51%) are the most used platforms.
The study highlights how the first confinement shed light on the “
anti-isolation
”
dimension
of video games: 52% of players believe that its practice allows “
to create social ties
”, while one in three players declares that it allowed “
to keep in touch
” with those close to them.
“
It breaks stereotypes.
Fortunately there was the video game during the first confinement, and that he is there to face the second.
It's still a great way to have fun, to get away from it all, and to share a good time with others,
”says Nicolas Vignolles.
"
One of the lessons (of the study) is that the video game has repositioned itself in the living room around parents, often '' quadruple '', who accompany their children in this experience
", he adds, while 72% of French people consider video games to be a hobby for the whole family.
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Finally, four typical profiles of “
gamers
” stand out according to consumption and use habits: “
casual
”
gamers
who favor mobile games (33%), “
friendly
” fans of multiplayer games (29% ), “
engaged workers
” (19%) more passionate about online role-playing games, and “
tech-savvy people
”, more keen on the latest innovations (19%).
"
This shows that video games are a particular hobby, where you can have all types of commitments
", underlines the Sell.