Average player age and female gamer percentage on the rise

New game demos and announcements aren't the only things being revealed at E3 this year. Coinciding with the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the Entertainment Software Association released the results of its annual "2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry" demographic study with some facts that may surprise you:

• The average gamer is 37 years old and has been playing for 12 years.
  
• 82 percent of gamers are 18 years of age or older.
• 42 percent of all players are women and women over 18 years of age are one of the industry's fastest growing demographics.
• Today, adult women represent a greater portion of the game-playing population (37 percent) than boys age 17 or younger (13 percent).
• 29 percent of game players are over the age of 50, an increase from nine percent in 1999. This figure is sure to rise in coming years with nursing homes and senior centers across the nation now incorporating video games into their activities.
• 65 percent of gamers play games with other gamers in person.
• 55 percent of gamers play games on their phones or handheld device.
• 91 percent of the time parents are present at the time games are purchased or rented.
  
• 98 percent of parents are confident in the accuracy of the Entertainment Software Rating Board ratings.
  
• 75 percent of parents believe that the parental controls available in all new video game consoles are useful.
• Parents also see several benefits of entertainment software.
  
• 68 percent of parents believe that game play provides mental stimulation or education.
  
• 57 percent believe games encourage their family to spend to time together.
  
• 54 percent believe that game play helps their children connect with their friends.

Who knows, maybe with the release of this new info, perhaps peoples' stereotype of gamers being nothing more than reclusive, uncleanly, zit-riddled teenagers can finally be dispelled. Which category do you fall into?