The ESA has released a study on the makeup of the gamer population. Although the stereotype of the acne-ridden teenage boy huddling in his bedroom in front of a tv likely persists in the mind of many, it seems that it’s become increasingly less true.

The popularity of casual games has contributed strongly to the rise of female gamers; 40% of the gaming population are female. It’s also hugely widespread; 65% of households play computer and video games and 38% of homes own a console. While there are definitely some people who consider giving up video games a part of that inevitable ‘growing up’ process, it seems that plenty of people are still gaming long after achieving adulthood. The average age of gamers has risen to thirty-five. Women eighteen years or older actually outnumber the younger male teenage population at 33% to 18% respectively.

Parents are also much more involved with their children’s gaming lives than all the frightened activists and politicians would think. 94% of parents report being present when their children purchase or rent games (likely because most parents buy games for their kids or drive them to the store/mall) and 88% report monitoring their childrens gaming habits.  A mere 15% of the games sold in 2007 were rated M for Mature.