Demographics and Gaming Habits
In this section I will be exploring and analysing a research article specific to the board game enthusiasts demographics, preferences and motivations. Conducted by a team of researchers, the paper reveals detailed information revealing typical information about the average board game enthusiast. In table one it explores the typical demographics of somebody who enjoys board games. It found that a good portion of people studied were white males from the United Kingdom (UK) between the ages of 26 and 35, and were also university graduates. Although the UK had the highest representation, there was only a difference of 31 people from the second highest country, China, which suggests there is no correlation between geographical location and board game interest. This information does reveal it is seemingly a male orientated hobby, which reveals some potential to find ways to encourage more inclusivity. 51.9% of players were university graduates, which could imply some correlation between Intelligence or education level with the enjoyment of analogue gaming systems.
In figure two, It explores the neurodivergence range within the test group to reveal the majority of people answered ‘none’, however a number reported having depression and/or anxiety. Which could imply a use for board games in a therapy related situation.
Figures three and four explore into the preferences and motivations of the tested group, it revealed that a majority of players preferred to consider themselves as ‘Medcore/core’ in reference to their experience, while enjoying around 20 hours a month of game time. This shows that fans of board games are usually able to commit themselves into the time required to play these games. This information shows that there was a preference in players enjoying the Eurogame genre which correlates to the preferred number of players with three to four being the ideal amount; importantly this number of players does not scale down in popularity in a correlating fashion, with two players being the next optimal desired amount of players. Desired game length appears to be within the one hour to two hour mark, enforcing that thought that these people are able and willing to commit time to playing these games.
