I've never been completely down-in-the-mouth about the rise of casual gaming, but I'm sure I've said some snarky things on the topic in the past. A new study makes me feel bad for the things I've said.
The Information Solutions Group conducted a survey of casual gamers and found that disabled people have embraced these games as a source of relief or distraction. Of the 13,296 casual game players polled, 2,728 respondents indicated that they were disabled in some way. About 77 percent of these gamers said that casual games provide "additional benefits over and above what a typical non-disabled player might experience."
So, casual games are helping people? One respondent said, "Our son with Attention Deficit Disorder does not really remember he has a disability when he is playing." Another, a 58-year-old man, said, "Games like Bejeweled and Peggle, with simple controls that are also mentally challenging and engaging are ideal for me, because my mind moves as quickly as the next guy's but I type with a mouth-stick. In some ways, games like these are the greatest thing that's appeared on the computer scene for people like me."
What's really interesting is that almost half of these disabled gamers have recommended casual games to other disabled people, and some are even playing as prescribed by a doctor.
This study may be an eye opener for gamers in the "hardcore" set. Casual games may not be for us, but it's good to know that they're doing disabled people some good.
Check out the full details of this study at WorthPlaying.
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I have OCD and depression. Gaming makes me forget
I use Casual Gaming as a way to just let my mind wander after a stressful day. I'll fire up Peggle or something similar, and think about my day, or the situation or whatever, and very quickly, I don't really find stress in all of it. It's really calming to play something that is mentally challenging yet non-judgemental.
I don't have a disability, but I don't doubt at all that the elements I enjoy in Casual Games can be appreciated by anyone that just need a breather to focus and keep their mind working better.
My dad has fairly debilitating multiple sclerosis and he spends hours every day doing crossword puzzles and playing bejeweled.
Wouldn't call myself disabled, but I do suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain due to a back injury that very well should have paralyzed me. Games are one of the only things that are able to engross me enough to help me escape it. Casual games, core games, whatever. Sometimes a game with a great story will do me a hell of a lot better than the morphine I take. Deserves more research and exposure; it's pretty amazing stuff.
I think this discovery is absolutely brilliant. I hope that it helps pave new developments in this area.
I hope I don't sound ignorant, but this had never occured to me before. Great blog. Its good the issue has been awarded some attention.
Actually, this is bullshit, dont believe the hype. the survey was conducted in an unscientific manner, using an online survey amongst people that play games on popcap.com
in other words, this does not apply to casual gamers as a whole. in addition, since the survey is unscientific, it cannot be determined what percentage are actually handicapped, even if just applying it to popcap.com gamers.
for a true random sample, survey companies use random phone calls, and randomize the series of questions so that initial questions dont influence the answers of later questions. i took a couple classes on this for my IR degree, its pretty crazy stuff.
Even if those numbers are flawed, as the person above me says, it's still something important to talk about. Heck, why not talk about disabled gamers in general? They're very underrepresented and left out in the gamer discussion, only highlighted every once in a while when one of them does something remarkable. Then we all say, "Yay for you," and go back to our business.
well, duh, your kid with ADD can play video games without any problems because ADD isn't about not being able to concentrate on anything, it's just about not being able to concentrate on all the boring shit we subject ourselves to as part of daily life.
@Slayoyao:
Noone cares that you're in college. This survey isn't being submitted to a medical journal, it's not being peer-reviewed to be publish in a Psychology Journal, it's not going down as part of American History and inputed into your Encyclopedia of Britianica under "Casual Gaming - 2008".
Calm the hell down, 20% of Pcpcap.com users that replied to a survey said they had some disability. Just accept it, and use your college degree for good, never for evil, or in this case, trying to debunk shit that shouldn't be held to the standards your Statistics 101 Profressor would have a heart attack over.
20% of America is technically "disabled" according to the Americans with Disabilities act, which includes stuff like not being able to use a cell phone or weak eyesight or being out of shape as "disabled". That's not 20% of casual gamers being blind deaf quadriplegics with AIDS.
this is a bit off topic, but ive always felt that the wii must alienate a lot of disabled people who cherish just being able to sit there and control an elaborate game with simple button pressing. does nintendo realise that there are probably people out there with limited mobility who are no longer able to play their favourite game franchises (mario, metroid perhaps) because u need to make ridiculous motions for a basic action? they should seriously think about alternate control schemes.
@dagerr right, because disseminating incorrect information and playing it off like its accurate is a GOOD THING. The point i was making is that the survey results were inaccurate! stop reacting to the fact that i'm in college, you beezy.
i have a friend who's left arm got mangled in a car accident and has limited control, he loves games but can't play the really hard to control ones. he has a wii and its the best thing for him. i sold him my old xbox but that wii is a godsend for him, he plays whatever he can with mainly using just the wii~mote. he also got the wii on launch day.
the wii hasn't alienated anyone but opened up a door for people who can't use the standard controls we're so used to mmmpek. my friend is proof of that. it could have alienated but if so they could just get something else, like a ps3 or a commadore64.
I'm unemployed and underslept and depressed and lacking direction in life. Playing video games... um, actually makes me feel like more of a pathetic layabout. Nevermind.
Anyone who wears glasses, or is colour blind can say they are disabled..
i have adhd and used to have asthma. and a car accident nearly paralysed me but i'm still here, soon to be playing iron equipment hard4:arms of the forefathers.
A gamer is a gamer, period.
unless their a gaymer, then their a gaymer dot
What percentage of people are disabled in general? Is it comparable to the numbers in the article?
I was going to make a joke involving the Wii, but then I saw everyone's sincere comments, and my cold heart melted.
Congratulations.
Awww...this is such a warm-hearted article!
Yeah.. games ease they're pain, UNTIL THEY START SHOOTING UP SCHOOLS. NOT BUYING IT DALE.- Thompson
I'm sure the numbers are off but that fact still remains that these types of unique games can have a positive impact on the physically challenged and I think we can see the beginnings of a new trend here. Didn't I read something like this last week about painting with Wii? As much as I am not a fan of silly waggly nonsense, its pretty inspiring to see people finding joy with gaming in new ways.
That said, I don't think ADD can be put on the same level as someone with a physical disability. Video games have been subduing over active kids since its first inception.
ok, videogames help, but keep going to the doctor and to rehab.
@qraze
i was referring more to people who may have the use of their hands but have difficulty using their arms. also people that cant stand might have trouble playing games where 'normally' u would be expected to stand and play.
So the kid with ADD has no trouble paying attention to video games? WEIRD.