Challenging video games are all the rage these days. Elden Ring, a game with brutal difficulty, has sold 20 million copies worldwide and was the 2022 Game of the Year. It begs the question: what U.S. states might be breaking the most controllers?
A study performed by Datslots looks at Google searches for Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox controllers in each state. After crunching the numbers, they compiled a list of the states most interested in game controllers.
THE TOP TEN STATES MOST LIKELY TO LOOK FOR A CONTROLLER
Topping the list is the Lone Star State. Texas, and its population of over 30 million people, has 181,090 searches for gaming controllers. That averages to a total of 603 searches per 100,000 people.
THE TEN STATES LEAST LIKELY TO LOOK FOR A CONTROLLER
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hawaii is the state least likely to rage quit and break a controller. They only had 330.51 searches per 100,000 people. From there, Alaska is next with 353.06 searches.
In 48th place, Vermont only has 357 searches per 100,000 residents. Next is Montana, with 369.59 searches. Wyoming is in 46th place with 402.49 searches. Maine has 406.40 searches per 100,000 people, putting it in 45th place.
ANALYZING THE RESULTS
“It’s so easy to become immersed with a game and obsessed with winning,” said a spokesperson on behalf of the study, “and when that doesn’t go to plan, it can be incredibly frustrating.
It’s no surprise to see Texas and Nevada, two states in the top five when it comes to being the most obsessed with gaming, top the list of interest in controllers. Texas, in particular, stands out for two reasons.
THE RISE OF DIFFICULT GAMES
The concept of brutally challenging games designed to make you rage quit isn’t anything new. Arcade games were designed to drain your pockets of precious quarters. That philosophy carried over to games such as the Mega Man franchise on the Nintendo Entertainment System.