The NPD Group, a leading global market research company, released the results of their annual gaming study, which revealed some very interesting trends. The most intriguing find is the claim that 72% of the U.S. plays video games. This figure is up from last year's study, which showed that 64% of the population were gamers. Growth was also seen in the percentage of Americans playing online games, although that number did not grow nearly as significantly. Although more than half of that 72 percent play games online, the total percentage of the U.S. playing online games rose only slightly from 40 percent in 2007 to 42 percent.

Among on-line gamers, 90% claim to play games on their PCs, compared to 19% playing consoles online, and 3% playing online on their cell phones. Although this appears to add up to over one hundred percent, bear in mind that there are people who play both PC and console, or both PC and cell phone, etc.

It is gratifying to know that gamers are not some fringe minority in this country. As much as major media outlets and delusional lawyers on Crusades may tell us otherwise, video games are not a pasttime for losers. Games are not just for pimply losers (although we pimply losers are definitely gaming...) Games are accessible to any and every demographic. 12% more Americans play games this year than last. If I have any grasp of statistics (and I probably don't...) if this trend continues, in three years 108% of Americans will play video games. Those are numbers you can trade-in at the bank! 

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