You may be surprised to learn that British women spend the equivalent of four weeks playing videogames every year, according to new Guinness World Records research.
The study of 1,000 women found that the average girl spends up to 12 hours each week tapping away on a mobile phone (eight hours) or games console (four hours). More results at the bottom of the page.
However, this news is no shock to Guinness World Records, which features a multitude of incredible record-breaking females in the 11th volume of the Gamer’s Edition book.
Here are five mums, teachers and families that prove it’s not just teenage boys that break gaming records…
1. Oldest videogames YouTuber
82-year-old American gamer, Shirley Curry has shot hundreds of videos for her self-titled channel, building up an impressive fan base of 238,449 subscribers and accumulating 6,509,749 views. The Virginia resident, introduced to gaming by her son in the 1990s, mostly streams the action RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. She’s also played ARK: Survival Evolved and No Man’s Sky.
Shirley describes herself as a "grandmother who loves to play, and now record, games".
2. Longest videogame marathon
US teacher Carrie Swidecki uses gaming to promote exercise and campaign against childhood obesity, having suffered from it in the past.
The 41-year-old played Just Dance 2015 at Otto's Video Games and More, in Bakersfield, California, from 11 to 17 July 2015, to raise money for charity.
Carrie is now featured in Just Dance 2018, which was released last week.
3. Largest competitive Pokémon videogame family
Pokémon’s family-friendly charm is confirmed by the record-breaking Arnold family from Frankfort, Illinois. Five of the family—Ryan, mum Linda, Ryan’s twin David, dad Glenn, and youngest child Grace – have all taken part in official Pokémon videogame world championships.
“Families that play together, stay together,” as the saying goes, and when they’re not competing at Pokémon, the Arnolds play together in a marching band!
4. Largest gathering of people dressed as Lara Croft
At the Paris Games Week in France on 29 Oct 2016, a total of 270 fans dressed up as the action legend. Members of one videogame-loving family were so keen on taking part they flew in from Spain!
5. Oldest World of Warcraft gamer to earn 10,000 Achievement Points
The oldest World of Warcraft gamer to earn 10,000 Achievement Points is Donna Glee Reim (USA) - aka “GrannyGlee” - who was 84 years 357 days old when she achieved that landmark score on 9 February 2016.
Achievement Points are based on the number and type of achievements that a player has made in Blizzard’s iconic MMORPG. They are one of the game's two most touted stats, along with Item Level.
More findings from Guinness World Records' gaming research:
- Two thirds of British women claim they are far superior than their partner when it comes to gaming.
- More than four in ten females said they find gaming therapeutic.
- More than two thirds of the 1,000 girls polled said their favourite type of game was a puzzle or pattern game.
- 23% claim their boss has caught them engrossed in an online game once or twice, but a sneaky 77% said they play discreetly so that colleagues think they are working.
- Nearly a third (31%) felt gaming was the best way to get some ‘me time’.
Guinness World Records 2017 Gamer’s Edition is in stores now. Check out some of the content and find out where to buy it in your country.
