EXPERIENCE FIRST MARKET RESEARCH THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019 LIMELIGHT NETWORKS | EXPERIENCE FIRST 2 infolimelight | limelight TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Gamers Spend More Than Seven Hours Each Week Playing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Mobile Phones Remain the Primary Gaming Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Gamers Prefer to Download Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Gamers Are Frustrated By Slow Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Casual Single-Player Games Are Most Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Watching Other Gamers Online Is Popular With Younger Gamers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Performance is Critical to Gamers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Gamers Play for More Than One and a Quarter Hours at a Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Most Gamers Have Played for More Than Four Hours Consecutively . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Gaming Can Interfere With Daily Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24One-Third of Gamers Play at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25More Than a Third of Gamers Would Like to Become Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Online Security is a Serious Concern for Gamers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Conclusions and Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 About Limelight Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019 LIMELIGHT NETWORKS | EXPERIENCE FIRST 3 infolimelight | limelight OVERVIEW The State of Online Gaming 2019 research report highlights the latest findings in Limelight Networks ongoing series of consumer surveys about online habits and opinions . This report is based on responses from 4,500 consumers in France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States age 18 and older who play video games at least once a week . Respondents were asked questions on a variety of topics to determine the types of games they play and how often, the devices they use, how they access content, and what they believe is important for a successful gaming experience . Highlights of this report include: People who play video games spend an average of seven hours seven minutes each week playing . Playing time has increased 19 . 3 percent in the last year . Gamers 26-35 years old play for eight hours 12 minutes per week . This increased more than 25 percent in the last year . Mobile phones are the most commonly used devices for playing video games . Gamers overwhelmingly prefer downloading as their primary means for acquiring video games, with 64 percent choosing this method . This number has grown 12 percent in the last year . Nearly 85 percent of gamers find the process of downloading games frustrating . Slow download speeds are the primary issue . Casual single-player games are played more often than any other type of video game . However, gamers 18-25 prefer to play First-Person Shooter and Battle Royale games such as Fortnite . Gamers watch sports on television more often than they watch other people playing games on sites such as Twitch . However, gamers 18-25 spend 77 percent more time watching other people playing online than watching broadcast sports, and those 26-35 spend nearly the same amount of time watching online gaming as broadcast sports . Fast performance is the most important consideration when playing a video game . Gamers play for an average of 1 hour 22 minutes at a time . The average longest time gamers have ever consecutively played is four hours 19 minutes . 10 percent have played for 10 or more hours consecutively . More than 35 percent of gamers who work play video games while at work at least once a month . 36 percent of gamers would quit their jobs if they could support themselves as professional video gamers . More than 57 percent of male gamers 18-35 want to become professional gamers . More than half of gamers have missed sleep while gaming . More than a third have missed a meal . More than half of gamers would not continue to make purchases or play games on a website that has experienced a security incident such as a data breach .THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019 LIMELIGHT NETWORKS | EXPERIENCE FIRST 4 infolimelight | limelight EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Video games have gone mainstream moving from clunky PCs and expensive consoles, to the mobile devices we have in our pockets every day . Now, more people than ever are playing . Whether it is Casual Single-Players games that can be played anywhere anytime on a smartphone, or Battle Royale games such as Fortnite where squads compete to be the last ones standing, gamers have many choices . But its not just about playing video games, watching other gamers play online is becoming increasingly popular and now rivals the viewership of traditional sports among younger gamers . Gamers play for an average of seven hours seven minutes per week . This number has increased 19 . 3 percent since last years State of Online Gaming 2018 report . However, younger gamers spend even more time playing, with those age 26-35 playing eight hours 12 minutes each week . Germans spend more time playing than gamers in any other country at nearly eight hours per week . South Koreans spend the least time playing each week at six hours 41 minutes . More than half the people who play video games each week consider themselves casual gamers . With so many casual gamers, its not surprising that Casual Single-Player games (such as Candy Crush, Angry Birds, and Spider Solitaire) are played most often . Mobile phones are the most common device used for gameplay, reflecting the number of Casual Single-Player games available on mobile and how easy it is to play your favorite game when you have free time or want a brief diversion . Gamers 18-25 are more likely to consider themselves expert gamers than older ones and prefer to play First-Person Shooter games such as Overwatch and Destiny 2 and Battle Royale games including Fortnite . Nearly two-thirds of gamers (63 . 6 percent) prefer to acquire video games by downloading rather than purchasing physical copies, renting, or trading them . However, 85 percent are frustrated by the download process, with slow download speeds the primary complaint . When playing games, fast performance is the most important consideration . Gamers play for an average of one hour 22 minutes at a time, with 18-25 year-olds averaging almost two hours for a typical gaming session . However, the majority of gamers have played for more than four hours consecutively, with 10 percent having played for 10 or more hours . While playing, gamers often miss common daily activities with more than half having missed sleep and a third having missed a meal while gaming . Watching other people play video games online on video game streaming sites such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming is becoming increasingly popular . As a whole, gamers still watch sports on television more often than they watch other people playing online . However, younger gamers have moved away from watching broadcast sports, with those 18-25 spending 77 percent more time watching online gaming than traditional sports on television and gamers 26-35 spending nearly the same amount of time watching online gaming as broadcast sports . Gamers are increasingly considering video gaming as a potential career option . More than a third of gamers would quit their jobs if they could support themselves as professional gamers . 57 percent of male gamers age 18-35 would like to pursue a professional gaming career . Speaking of work, more than a third of gamers who are currently employed play video games during work hours at least once a month . Online security remains an important concern for gamers . More than half would not continue to make purchases or play games on a website that has experienced a security incident such as a data breach .THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019 LIMELIGHT NETWORKS | EXPERIENCE FIRST 5 infolimelight | limelight KEY FINDINGS GAMERS SPEND MORE THAN SEVEN HOURS EACH WEEK PLAYING Video gamers spend an average of 7 . 1 1 hours (seven hours, seven minutes) each week playing games . This is an increase of 19 . 3 percent in the last year . 34 . 0 percent play more than 7 hours each week, with 19 . 6 percent playing more than 12 hours a week . Gamers in Germany spend the most time playing, at an average of almost eight hours a week . South Korea had the lowest weekly average at 6 . 69 hours, but even this was up more than 51 percent from last years average of 4 . 42 hours per week in South Korea . Germany and the U . S . were tied with the highest percentage of gamers who play more than 20 hours each week at 1 1 . 6 percent . Figure 1: How many hours each week do you spend playing video games? Figure 2: How many hours each week do you spend playing video games? Gamers age 26-35 spend the most time playing, at 8 . 21 hours a week . Those over 60 spend the least at 5 . 63 hours playing . Country Less than 1 hour a week 1-2 hours a week 2-4 hours a week 4-7 hours a week 7-12 hours a week 12-20 hours a week More than 20 hours a week Average Hours Each Week France 12 . 8% 21 .4% 16 . 6% 16 . 6% 13 . 4% 10 . 0% 9 . 2% 6.97 Germany 15 . 2% 11 .0% 17 . 2% 19 . 0% 13 . 6% 12 . 4% 11 . 6% 7.98 India 10 . 8% 14 . 6% 19 . 4% 15 . 8% 23 . 4% 11 . 4% 4 . 6% 6.92 Italy 13 . 0% 15 . 6% 19 . 4% 17 . 6% 17 . 8% 10 . 0% 6 . 6% 6.79 Japan 21 . 2% 17 . 8% 14 . 0% 18 .0% 8 . 2% 9 . 8% 11 .0% 6.88 Singapore 14 . 8% 17 . 4% 15 .0% 16 . 6% 15 . 2% 10 . 6% 10 . 4% 7.44 South Korea 17 . 8% 17 . 0% 17 . 4% 17 . 2% 12 . 8% 8 . 8% 9 . 0% 6.69 U.K. 15 . 4% 19 . 2% 17 . 2% 16 . 6% 13 . 6% 9 . 2% 8 . 8% 6.76 U.S. 12 . 8% 19 . 8% 14 . 6% 18 . 6% 11 . 2% 11 . 4% 11 . 6% 7.61 Global 14.9% 17.1% 16.8% 17.3% 14.4% 10.4% 9.2% 7.1 1 Age Less than 1 hour a week 1-2 hours a week 2-4 hours a week 4-7 hours a week 7-12 hours a week 12-20 hours a week More than 20 hours a week Average Hours Each Week 18-25 9 . 4% 15 .7% 19 . 2% 20 . 2% 12 . 6% 12 . 4% 10 . 5% 7.78 26-35 10 .1% 13 . 4% 18 . 2% 17 . 6% 17 . 0% 12 . 3% 11 . 5% 8.21 36-45 12 .1% 15 . 3% 16 .7% 17 . 9% 16 .1% 11 . 4% 10 . 6% 7.76 46-60 19 . 4% 18 . 2% 15 . 2% 17 . 1% 13 . 8% 9 . 0% 7 . 2% 6.32 Over 60 21 . 5% 23 .7% 15 . 5% 14 . 2% 11 .1% 7 . 2% 6 . 8% 5.63 All 14.9% 17.1% 16.8% 17.3% 14.4% 10.4% 9.2% 7.1 1THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019 LIMELIGHT NETWORKS | EXPERIENCE FIRST 6 infolimelight | limelight Figure 3: How many hours each week do you spend playing video games? (2018 and 2019) Figure 4: How many hours each week do you spend playing video games? The age group with the highest increase in gaming time during the last year is gamers 26-45, who have increased their weekly playing time by more than 25 percent . Gamers 18-25 increased their playing time by 9 . 9 percent . Men play almost eight hours per week . This is an average of one hour 37 minutes longer than women, who play 6 . 28 hours . 23 . 0 percent of men play for 12 hours or more, compared to just 15 . 9 percent of women . Gender Less than 1 hour a week 1-2 hours a week 2-4 hours a week 4-7 hours a week 7-12 hours a week 12-20 hours a week More than 20 hours a week Average Hours Each Week Female 17 . 8% 19 . 2% 17 . 5% 16 .1% 13 . 6% 8 . 6% 7 . 3% 6.28 Male 12 .1% 15 . 2% 16 .1% 18 .5% 15 .1% 12 . 0% 11 .0% 7.89 All 14.9% 17.1% 16.8% 17.3% 14.4% 10.4% 9.2% 7.1 1 18-25 26-35 36-454 6-60 Over 60 7.08 7.78 7.76 5.1 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Average hours 2019 Average hours 2018 6.51 6.17 8.21 5.63 6.32 4.93 All ages 7.11 5.96THE STATE OF ONLINE GAMING 2019 LIMELIGHT NETWORKS | EXPERIENCE FIRST 7 infolimelight | limelight Figure 6: What type of gamer are you? Figure 5: What type of gamer are you? In this years survey, to better understand the behaviors and opinions of different types of gamers, respondents were asked to choose what type of gamer they consider themselves . The majority of respondents (56 . 6 percent) consider themselves casual gamers . 22 . 2 percent are novice gamers, 17 . 8 percent are experts, and 3 . 5 percent consider themselves aspiring professionals . Older gamers are more likely to consider themselves novice or casual gamers . Only 5 . 6 percent of those over 60 identify as experts . Aspiring professionals are younger, with 6 . 3 percent of those 18-25 and 5 . 9 percent age 26-35 identifying as such . Age Aspiring professional Expert Casual Gamer Novice 18-25 6 . 3% 25 . 2% 52 .