In November 2021, the New Zealand Esports Federation in partnership with the TAB surveyed 896 kiwi gamers from around the country to learn about their motivations behind participating, competing, and spectating esports.
The survey consisted of 27 questions including weighted score, ranking, select response and open formats.
Demographics
Average age: 32 years
Gender: 89% Male, 10% Female.
- 73.8% have made friends gaming that extended beyond the game
- 44% have participated in traditional sport or active recreation with friends they first met while gaming
- 81% are more open to participating in sports with friends that they game with
- 94% feel they have learned valuable skills that have been able to be applied to real life through gaming
- 79% regularly follow one or more esport titles
- 46% primarily watch esports to improve their own performance
- Overall outcome of the match and watching their favourite players perform were almost equally as important to viewers (weighted as the close 2nd/3rd most important factor behind improving performance)
- 86.8% would like to participate in esports if it were available to them at all skill levels
- 71% would like to participate in esports as a coach, manager, admin, team owner, organiser or referee
- 65% watch esports on desktop device, with 14% on their phone