296. YPulse. The Truth About Young Consumers & Gaming.
MaryLeigh Bliss
December 21, 2023
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In today’s episode MaryLeigh Bliss, Chief Content Officer at YPulse, delves into their latest tracking report on young consumers' gaming behaviors, challenging myths, and exploring the profound impact of gaming on their lives.
Myths Busted:
Gaming is a Male-Only Activity. False. Both genders engage in gaming, with 98% of young men and 92% of young women participating.
Gamers Are Hardcore Enthusiasts. False. Self-identifying as a gamer doesn't necessarily correlate with how frequently one plays. While 95% of young people play video or mobile games, only 66% identify as gamers.
Gamers Are Only Interested in Violent Games. False. The gaming landscape is diverse, with top games including both violent (Call of Duty) and non-violent (Candy Crush, Roblox) options. The notion that gamers exclusively prefer violent content is outdated.
Gamers Are Socially Isolated. False. Gaming fosters social connections, with 73% of self-identified gamers stating that video games help them be social. Titles like Fortnite and Roblox enable virtual socializing and friendships.
Gaming is a Passive Activity, Like TV. False. Gaming is an active, immersive experience requiring constant engagement. Unlike TV, second screening is challenging, offering brands a unique opportunity for focused consumer attention. Young people are open to brand presence in gaming spaces if done authentically, enhancing rather than disrupting the gaming experience.
YPulse is the leading authority on Millennials and Gen Z: tweens, teens, college students and young adults. They provide strategic insight to companies and organizations via their subscription-based syndicated research content as well as their custom research and consulting services. Staffed with a cross-functional team of researchers, marketers, writers, and technologists, they give their clients a 360-degree view of what it’s like to be a Millennial or Gen Z today.
As Chief Content Officer, MaryLeigh Bliss oversees YPulse’s syndicated products. Her role also involves acting as a culture and youth insights expert, consulting with brands to identify actionable insights, align young consumer strategy, and layer generational and youth knowledge over data findings.
MaryLeigh has worked with a range of brands, including Facebook, Hampton, Bravo, HBO, Target, Best Buy, and Gap, and has been quoted as a youth insights authority by publications including The New York Times, Digiday, Business Insider, and Adweek. She has appeared as a Gen Z and Millennial expert on Bloomberg News, Fortune, and NPR Marketplace, and been a speaker at many off-sites and conferences. MaryLeigh’s interest in youth culture originated from her love of YA literature and pop culture anthropology, and she is continuing her passion for decoding and demystifying the next generations of consumers at YPulse.
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MaryLeigh Bliss
YPulse