More than half of AT&T subscribers play mobile games

Fifty-seven percent of AT&T wireless subscribers play mobile games according to a new consumer study conducted by research firm Information Solutions Group on behalf of casual games publisher PopCap Games. Fifty-two percent of gamers cited "distraction from daily life issues" as the top benefit derived from mobile gaming, followed by "relaxation and stress relief" (40 percent) and "improved mood" (12 percent)--in addition, 52 percent of gamers said they play mobile titles during work hours, and 14 percent selected "during my work day, when I need a short break" as the time when they most often play games on their phone. Sixty percent of all mobile gamers cited "while waiting for an appointment" as a time when they play mobile games, with "during the day on weekdays" selected by 34 percent of respondents and "when traveling on vacation" and "on the weekend" tying for third at 25 percent each.

The Information Solutions Group study reports that 59 percent of AT&T gamers play games on their phone at least once a month, and 40 percent said they play weekly or more often--41 percent said they played less than once per month. Ninety-one percent of mobile gaming sessions last fewer than 30 minutes, and 62 percent extend fewer than 15 minutes. In all, 71 percent of mobile gamers play games on their phone for less than an hour per week, although 52 percent of those who play daily said they play for three or more hours per week.

Asked to name "games you enjoy playing on your cell phone," 20 percent of AT&T gamers cited Tetris, followed by Bejeweled at 18 percent and Solitaire at 17 percent. Puzzle games topped popular genres at 66 percent, followed by card/casino titles at 51 percent--board games earned 15 percent of the vote, with action/adventure trailing at 11 percent. Eighty-six percent of mobile gamers also play video games on one or more other devices, with 76 percent of gamers playing on computers, 41 percent on consoles and 24 percent on handheld game devices. Still, 17 percent of mobile gamers consider their mobile handset their primary gaming device.

For more on the Information Solutions Group study:
- read this release

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