Next stop… gaming! The rise of gaming on the go in London

With nearly a quarter of Londoners playing video games every day, smartphone brand OPPO reveals the city’s gaming habits

·       New research reveals we’re a city of gamers, with 24% of people in London saying they play video games 2-3 days a week and 3% saying at least once a month

·       Londoners admit to secretly gaming on their phones at weddings, in work meetings or even at school events involving their children

·       Gaming on the go is on the rise, with the top gaming occasions including travelling on the train or bus, or commuting (49%), whilst picking up their children from school (42%) or in spare moments at work (42%)

·   The positive impacts of gaming are evident, with a third saying it helps them relax, a quarter say it is good for their mental health, and 4 in 10 (40%) saying it’s a good way to relax.

From secretly gaming on our phones at weddings or in work meetings, OPPO, a leading global smartphone brand, reveals the nation’s gaming habits and attitudes towards gaming.

The results reveal that gaming on the go is on the rise, with the top gaming occasions including in commuting, or using train or bus (49%), waiting to pick children up from school or school clubs (42%) or in spare moments at work (42%). Surprisingly, 2 in 10 Londoners admit to secretly gaming on their phones during work meetings (34 %), weddings (23%), during children’s events such as sports games (19%) or whilst in the bathroom (11%).

Gaming is overwhelmingly seen as a positive part of our lives, with 3 in 10 Londoners (30%) seeing it as a good way to relax (40%). 44% say it’s a way of connecting and bringing people together and another 44% of Londoners suggest it’s beneficial for mental health.

Psychologist Lee Chambers, comments “It’s positive to see the nation finding gaming a good way to relax and manage stress, helping to debunk the stereotype around gaming which is arguably seen as unhealthy by some. In fact, there is evidence that video games can in fact improve mental health, and the rise of multi-player experiences provide people with a way to socialise and feel part of a community.”

Smartphones are by far the most popular way to game, with nearly three quarters of gamers in London (65%) using their smartphones, followed by laptop/PCs (58%) and home game consoles (49%). Gamers who use their smartphones do so for convenience (59%), as a good way to pass the time waiting for others (55%), and as a discreet way to game where the want to (41%).

Chambers continues, “Gaming via our smartphones allows us to fit this into our everyday lives, where and when we want to. For many of us, immersing ourselves in a game is a great form of escapism from the stresses of daily life, allowing us to switch off and wind down.”

London’s top 10 gaming occasions:

1.     On the train or bus, or commuting (49%)

2.     In spare moments at work desk (42%)

3.     Waiting to pick children up from school and/or clubs (42%)

4.     In a work meeting (34%)

5.     Whilst commuting (24%)

6.     At a wedding (23%)

7.     At one of their children’s events (19%)

8.     In between household chores (16%)

9.     In bed with partner (14%)

10.  In bathroom/toilet (11%)

The research, commissioned by OPPO, celebrates how smartphones provide an affordable on-the-go gaming experience. The hero addition to the OPPO A Series, the OPPO A54 5G, is designed to balance work and play for UK customers. 3 in 10 (28%) admit a better internet connection will improve their gaming experience, and with 5G connectivity, gaming on the go is more viable with improved latency. The A54 5G also features all-around Smart Power Saving hardware and software features, and a day and a half of battery life, meaning there are fewer reasons for a pit stop at home and even more to stay connected and game whilst on-the-move.

Anna Morgan, OPPO UK Marketing Director comments “Our focus is to inspire customers to explore new possibilities with the latest technology, including providing an optimal gaming experience. With the rise of hybrid working and people getting used to commuting more, our handsets come with superfast charging and full 5G capability, providing users with the perfect companion to experience gaming on the go. What’s more, the OPPO A54 5G offers high-end technology at a wallet-friendly price.”

For more information, please visit https://oppostore.co.uk/