Are 'hardcore' gamers preventing wider uptake of gaming?

Joystiq is reporting on a recent study published by Nielsen that one-third of TV owners (in the US) play game consoles. Statistics that are generally positive for the industry but as Joystiq state, show that there is a long way to go. So what is preventing others from picking up the controllers and playing and what of the other trends the statistics could show?

Q. If over 50% of those with access to TV's in the US also have access to games consoles, why are only 33% of them using them?

A. Possibly because 20% of gamers are responsible for 75% of the time the console is used. Averaging a TV/console-hogging 5 hours 45 minutes per day.

With numbers like that, even if others within the house wanted to play, I doubt they'd have a chance. I'm not in any way saying this is the only factor involved though. Getting a wider audience interested in gaming in the first place is a challenge, but it's one which has and is being widely discussed already. And which we've seen all the big parties begin to address. What hasn't been focussed on quite so much is the possibility that gamer's themselves are to blame. Not only through re-inforcing many of the stereotypes of gamers - not least the well known impatience and elitism - but simply through dominating the tv/console area. The only time many accept an outsider in to their 'game-space' is when they want someone to beat. And even this is reducing with there being a world of opponents out there available via online multiplayer. When bringing in an 'outsider' a regular gamer may find it so frustrating to explain what 'everyone knows' in terms of controls and level layout that both parties never attempt to bridge the gap again.

There are unfortunately very few positive ambassadors for gaming. Many of those who are accepted in this role by 'hardcore' gamers are unknown to the rest of the world and those would-be spokespeople from outside of this scene are seen as 'casual' and looked down upon. I suppose it's the nature of any interest or hobby that it's enthusiasts can become a little cliquey, especially when they are often attacked by the outside world. While there are many out there who do enthuse and encourage interest in as many areas of gaming as they can and themselves explore as many genres as possible to aid in their endeavours, this is far from the norm. To make the final strides into wider acceptance of gaming as a a valid medium for communication and creativity as well as a rival to TV and film, perhaps we should look a little closer to home.

So why not play a game you wouldn't normally try and next time your with family or friends, encourage them to take part. But don't tell them how they should play. Watch them and the way they approach the problems encouraging them along the way. It may open up some discussion and if you listen carefully, you may even learn something.