Dear Gaming Industry,
According to the Entertainment Software Association, the average age of a gamer is 37 (who have been playing for 12 years), with the average age of frequent buyers being 41. So, why are we still advertising to ages 14-22? Why are there no gaming news outlets or stores geared towards adult sensibilities? Why must we endure ridiculous commercials for games that are rated M for Mature?
It's as if the entire industry still thinks of games as mere toys. How do you expect games to become a legitimate entertainment if you don't take yourselves seriously? As much as I like Avatars, and the fun they can bring, why are all of the consoles only pitching their ideas to children, teenagers, and young adults? Granted, most adults don't have time or desire to spend their money on digital items that don't mean anything, but image if you created that market.
Granted, there are some games that are trying to break the mold by telling a story that doesn't have to appeal to young adults, but there are still plenty more that are geared towards the young. I'm not saying that the industry has to stop making games for teenagers, just start to realize that not everyone who play video games are teenagers. Even if it's the just the way it's advertised, any game can have an emotionally charged trailer that appeals to adults.
Still, as much as I'd like to say that the games are the answer, sadly, they're not the problem. I enjoy a lot of the games that seem to be geared towards younger audiences. Sometimes it's the uniqueness, the gameplay, the setting, or the fact that games that appeal to young adults more sell well, so they have more money put behind them. Adults seem to find value in a wider variety of entertainment than children do, so the industry doesn't feel the need to gear anything towards adults. No, I feel the problem with the perception is not the games themselves. It's in what outsiders see of them. Those perceptions come from video game stores, magazines, websites, and advertisements.
While there is no need to change the product that is produced currently, in order to bring gaming into an established and legitimate realm of entertainment, the industry as a whole must present itself in a mature light. It also wouldn't hurt to realize that gamers are much older than you realize, and that you don't need to be simple or stupid to bring in a new audience. Your current customer base is already trying to introduce your product to the masses. You just need to create a reason for them to want to play.
Sincerely,
An Adult Gamer
