10 Percent of Gamers are LGBTQ+ Nielsen Study Shows

A recent Nielsen study takes a look at LGBTQ+ gamers' habits and buying powers.

This year's Nielsen Games 360 Survey shows that 10% of all gamers over the age of 18 identify as LGBTQ+. Of the 2,000 LGBTQ+ people over the age of 13 surveyed, 40% identify as gay or lesbian, 50% identify as bisexual, and 10% identify as transgender or non-binary.

Neilsen's self-reported survey found that LGBTQ+ gamers spend 8% more a month on games than their straight counterparts, at an average of $16.01 versus $14.78. And, if there's one thing we're good at as a community, we're certainly feeling the fantasy. LGBTQ+ gamers are more likely to play simulation games than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, 26% vs 17% on consoles, 41% vs 25% on PC, and 40% vs 28% on mobile. I'm no psychologist, but there's certainly something to unpack here about LGBTQ+ escapism and the desire to be someone different than we are.

Their findings also found that LGBTQ+ folks are more likely to be console owners (77%) than gaming PC owners (29%), they prefer to play on consoles (51%) verses mobile games (13%), and that 38% of LGBTQ+ gamers prefer Playstation, 22% prefer XBOX, and 19% prefer Nintendo consoles.

Breaking that down even further, Neilsen reports 36% of console gamers play fighting games like Super Smash Bros. and another 36% play horror games like Dead by Daylight. 46% of PC gamers play RPGs like The Witcher, and mobile gamers are split with 40% playing Simulation games like The Sims and another 40% playing RPGs like Reigns: Game of Thrones.

"The survey really shows us that there is a thriving sub-community within the extensive world of gaming that has a voice and impact on the industry at-large," a Nielsen representative tells Out. "LGBTQ+ gamers are active gamers - though this shouldn't be surprising, as LGBTQ+ consumers are very active consumers of media and tend to be on the cutting edge of most media trends."

Hopefully, gaming companies are taking note of these stats and our buying power! We would love to see more LGBTQ+ inclusive games like The Last of Us Part II and Assassin's Creed Oddysey.

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