Wizard101 Trinity University Study
Here at KingsIsle, we were extremely excited when researchers at Trinity University approached us on wanting to do a study on gaming demographics using an anonymous survey of more than 35,000 Wizard101 player volunteers. Today Trinity researchers Dr. Aaron Delwiche and Dr. Jennifer Henderson share some of their findings with us!
As you know, millions of people of all ages get to play Wizard101. But what do we know about these people who play in the Spiral? In a study recently published in the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Dr. Aaron Delwiche and Dr. Jennifer Henderson learned some interesting things about Wizard101 players. More than 35,000 players responded to their survey about how, when, and why they play Wizard101.
For example did you know that, on average, adults over the age of 50 play Wizard101 almost 10 hours a week more than younger players? These researchers from Trinity University also found that older players were more likely to underestimate their playtime. Younger players did the exact opposite, often thinking that they played longer than they really did.
These researchers also learned that approximately two thirds of the players under the age of 50 were male, while two thirds of the players over the age of 50 were female. Did you have any idea that Mom and Grandma were playing so often? Well, you probably did, because older female players were more likely to have characters at higher game levels than younger players.
But players of all ages shared common ground when reporting how much they value the connections and friendships made within the Spiral. For example, one woman said “this game has given my family a way to play together and communicate more often even though we are thousands of miles apart. It has brought us closer together and that means the world to us.”
Dr. Delwiche and Dr. Henderson’s next study from this survey will take a closer look at intergenerational gaming. What sorts of rules do families have about playing Wizard101? When players are in the Spiral, who decides which quests to undertake? What do family members say they learn about themselves and each other by playing the game?
Dr. Aaron Delwiche and Dr. Jennifer Henderson
Trinity University
KingsIsle Blog 
Wow this is amazing research! And the PARENTS say we shouldn’t go on the computer too much… 😉
yea
lol
This is a amazing reasearch, in total it can totally see fun
Lol.
yea
now my mom wont complain how much i play now lol
Yep
cool
wow thats funny
Now I know that my parents will give me more time to play Wizard101. Thanks Trinity/KingsIsle!
i just cant beleive that soooooo many older people play more that me
I know, I am mostly on the computer until my mom tells me to get off! (Which is like 5pm or so!)
your right lol I should use that
Yup exactly 😀
this is so amazing research and parents say we dont need to play this to far
What started out as a simple,”mom can you help me with this battle?”, to playing for 4 years and going strong 🙂 In that 4 years I have managed to get my sister and all 3 of her kids to play, oh and the neighbor kids. We love how this game. It has given us all a way to communicate and have common ground. I have even managed to pull my husband in on Pirates101, mind you he used to tease me all the time about playing these games. Now he has a lvl 90 pirate, LOL
I have also met some of the most amazing friends on this game 🙂 After chatting with so many people I have learned that about half of them come from a background with Autism, this was so amazing to me, as I work with special needs children. When talking to their parents or as a friend, all seem to say that, this game allows them to be social in a world that may or may not accept them. That this game has built communication bridges with in families and as a whole.
Thanks Kingsisle for such an AMAZING gift of a game. Keeping the world connected one wizard or pirate at a time!
First paragragh is totally my exper. with the game as well. My son and I have been paying and playing for 3 years.
Um you mean lvl 65 pirate? lvl cap for Pirate101 has not been raised to 90 YET but i’m sure kingsisle will deliver
my mom never paid for me to play it so i don’t go to membership places 😦
Wow LOL Just WOW, But I play more then most adults. xD
WOW what a surprising fact. Nice research!
I am truly surprised that I fit exactly in your demographic results: female over 50, who plays WAY more than her son. I always try to complete quests on my own (pretty independent), but have a few reliable friends to help with the tough ones. Thank you, kingsisle. P.S. I also have a Pirate101 character, but don’t enjoy that game as much.
I tell that to my FB friends next time they try and make me feel bad because their “children play that game.” Love this game – and I am teaching my three year old math applications through Wizard101, thank you for giving the gift of this great game as an outlet 🙂
i love this game so much 🙂
i love this game to lol
I enjoy studies like this but it has only proven what I already thought. I have used this tool to communicate and spend time with my other half who happens to be living about 650 miles away right now due to plans gone awry. Without a game like this to spend time, it would be much more difficult.
do you play wizard101?
Wow this is really cool research! I didn’t know that so many parents and grandparents play too. But come on, let them have fun too!
Aww i wish my parents did actually play this game 😛 they would have fun for sure like i do 😉
if i were you, i would make guardian101, the girls would be rogues
Hi Wizard101! I’m a player on wizard101 who plays everyday and It’s the best game ever!!! and I even have a new game suggestion maybe if you can you should make witch101 I thought of it a month ago Like the girls on witch101 are obviously witches and the boys are warlocks please consider it if you can!
Best Wishes,
A wizard from Wizard101 ❤ 🙂
yeah lol
i love this game sinice it first came out it was fun to me but i am a huge fan to this game i love playing and i love the people who play this they are nice to me and they help me out this game should be number 1 in the whole country 🙂
I like wizard101
lol we all do !!!!! lol
oh my that is amazing! that is way too much playing too
i thought kids play this way more then adults i bet adults get lvled up so much because they got money to get membership nd all that lol :P.
i’m a kid who has plenty of money to buy membership i really just love the game and with expansions coming so often never gets old
cool!
All My Family Play Wizard101
mine too!
Wow fascinating research! Awesome.
I started playing wizard101 around beta. It was soooooooooooooooo FUN! And it still is to this day.
I’m a grandparent over 50. I’m actually the only one in my family that plays Wizard101. I have been playing for 4 years now and still love it. I have a very stressful job and use Wizard101 to come home, relax, and unwind. Also because it’s sooooooooo fun. Thanks Kingsisle for the wonderful game that can be enjoyed by all ages.
agree with you, same here…grandparent over 50 got started because of my grandson, then I got my two sons to play, so now we all gett online, play and stay in touch…outside FB 🙂
wow that research is just really great i cant say how much its so cool and awesome
i love wizard101 it’s fun and i enjoy playing it’s a cool game to play for everyone i hope everyone has a blast playing it. for the people who hate wizard101 i’m sorry to heear that. one thing i know is me my firends have fun exploring and playing games. my favorite part is battiling. some what hate is when my spell dosen’t go so well. but people out there don’t get up set when you loose when i was low level when i battled i mostly lost
One time when my dad was wondering what game pet I got from Gamestop; the Wizard101 one of course! LOL I think it was a Demon something and then he couldn’t let me play the game anymore. Many months later; I returned and I do this allot. I get on Wizard101 for a time and a get off to do something else so I’m not that addicted. You know you gotta have a break from a game at one point.
I like Wizard101 too!!! I’m level 25 Lol. 😀
As someone suffering from PTSD, this game has been very therapeutic. I’ve met several wonderful people who play as well, and on those nights that I cannot sleep (which is most nights) I can calmly and happily while away my time in this fun environment. TY Wiz! 🙂
wow I am really happy playing 101 its a really cool game and think you should make a a new mount I just came up with it but I don’t know what to call it yet ill tell you when I think of a name for it and wow I just love this game so much btw you should make a new 101 and I already got a name for I hop you like it its: dragon101 its like wizard101 but your the bad guy instead being a wizard you can be like lady black hope or what ever like so um ya i hope you like the idea and hopefully you’ll make dragon101 and i will be the happiest guy is the would if you makes dragon 101 so pls make it. thank you and ps wizard 101 and add me plz thank you
i love this game im in lvl33
i love king isles games i have a bundle for ever single guy on wizard 101
it was awesome
Well some one has to show the kids how to play 🙂 See you in the game.
wow cool love it
i love wizard101
I didn’t know any of this! I think that’s it really interesting, and I didn’t know so many adults played. I still can’t picture my grandmother playing though.
Your Grandma may get more out of this game than you think! much of the humor in the game is really aimed at an older group. there are references to old movies, tv shows, songs and pop culture that slip by the younger players! I’m always laughing at some word pun in a quest title that my kids don’t get at all! It gives me an opportunity to talk about things from my parent’s generation as well as my own with my kids. Also, the problem solving and decision making is mentally stimulating and much better than watching a movie or tv , which is a passive activity. ( oxymoron! get it? passive, active? lol) Anyway, I have used the game to teach teamwork, good manners, and how to plan ahead(strategy). I have learned that my son can be a very good friend to others who need help. He often drops what he’s doing to help a friend. good qualities to encourage in our future generations!
yea
oh yeah and wizard101 could you please make practice tournaments please I am begging you guys you guys made one of my best three games please make it 🙂
wiz101 is a great source of fun and a great place to meet new friends I love 101 even pirates have been playing for years hope that k.i. will continue to grow and make new wonderful games such as these. thx for all the lovely hrs of fun. (20+hrs a week xD) signed a pvp junkie
yes
yes
yes is it cool
wizard 101 hi i am your biggest fan even though i have member ship i made it to lvl 27 my character name is Bradley Moon Friend and my bro love this game we may some dislike in the real world but in this game it brought us closer
i love wizard101
i was wondering if wizard 101 r u going to make it so we can get to lvl 100
now i can tell my mom to let me play longer. and tell her she truth about things. the tides are turning now. lol ! :O 🙂
I play every day because I love this game Im also going to buy 60,000 crowns
didn’t know that, how exciting
love the game and my parents say i can only play 30 mins a day lol im only lvl10 :[
and parents say we must not stay on the comuputer/laptop long lol
old people play video games? I never knew!
PS: please make a space101
it is a good game:)
Hey,
Speaking as an Over 50 female player… (With a high level wizard–and the title of “master gardener” in Wizard) .I love Wizard 101. My ld grand daughter got me interested in the game last fall. She got her dad to play as well. We all three often play battles together and have a great time.
I also “met” another player in Wizard 101, who is also a grandmother, and a very high level player and we also have a blast playing Wizard and swapping stories about our “grand kids!”
I enjoy the various aspects of Wizard, the pets, the gardening, and the crafting as well as the great battles.
Thanks