Leaked Microsoft documents break down Xbox One demographic and gamer types

While gamers are a diverse bunch, surveys can easily lump people into categories and types. Two surveys from Microsoft, which leaked online, have done their best to break down just who Xbox gamers are, in hopes of helping developers understand what they are working with.

The documents, obtained by Windows Central, reveal what they have found Xbox owners to be, based on a survey. The information was meant to be shared privately with Xbox partners and was intended to help developers understand the types of Xbox customers.

Here's the information that was gathered from 2,000 Xbox One owners in the United States:

• Gender split: 58% male and 42% female.
• A majority of Xbox One owners are 25 to 34-year-olds (28%), but the 35 to 44-year-olds aren't far behind (23%).
• 56% of Xbox One owners live with a partner (45% married, 11% unmarried), 23% live with their parents and 10% live alone.
• A majority of Xbox owners make anywhere from $50,000 to $99,999
  • 21% make $50,000 – $74,999
  • 21% make $75,000 – $99,999
• Most Xbox Owners either socialize or 'explore' on the Xbox
  • Socializing:
    • 53% of all users
    • Most multiplayer time (17hrs/week)
    • 4X more friends than average
    • More likely to have Xbox Live Gold
  • Exploring
    • 49% of all users
    • Playing an average of 15 titles/year
    • High customer lifetime value

Another survey, of 8,000 individuals, identified 12 core aspects for motivation in gaming and that there were nine types of players:

• Soloist (14%)
• Thinker (14%)
• Expert (13%)
• Connector (13%)
• Puzzler (11%)
• Companion (9%)
• Contender (9%)
• Idler (9%)
• Downtimer (8%)

'Experts' spend the most money and time on Xbox and PC, mostly playing sci-fi/fantasy RPGs. 'Contenders' are competitive players who enjoy creativity, achievements, and games with a learning curve. 'Companions' play with others (family, friends, children, partners). 'Soloists' play single-player games and end up playing longer than the others. 'Connectors' team up with others. 'Idlers' are more fond of nostalgia based games than anything. 'Thinkers' play alone and like problem-solving.