Digital Games and Leisure Ecosystems

This document presents preliminary findings from an online survey investigating the relationship between digital games and leisure activities among adults in the United States. The study's primary objective is to understand how players integrate gaming into their leisure time, the decisions they make about play frequency, and what other activities they may forgo. It also aims to explore reasons for non-participation or cessation of gaming, informed by feminist game scholarship which highlights how social expectations and stereotypes shape gaming choices and marketing.

The research involved an online survey of 1,334 U.S. adults, with data collection completed in October 2019. The methodology purposefully oversampled women, former players, and non-players to address gaps in existing literature, as previous research suggests women are more likely to stop gaming due to leisure time constraints. Participants self-identified into categories: current players (n=573), former players (n=247), non-players (n=432), and those unsure if they played digital games (n=82).

Preliminary analysis focused on self-reported leisure activities across these groups. The findings indicate that for current players, gaming is part of a broader leisure ecosystem rather than an all-consuming activity. Gaming coexists with other leisure pursuits, challenging the popular stereotype of the isolated gamer. Similar leisure patterns were observed across current, former, and non-players, particularly in activities like exercise, cooking, music, and watching television. This suggests a need for further investigation into how current players prioritize gaming alongside other leisure activities.