A poll of 1,000 UK gamers has found that Gen Z are the generation most likely to rage quit a video game, with nearly eight in 10 (79%) of those aged 18 to 28 admitting they have quit a game in anger. Three-quarters of Millennials, 53% of Gen X and just 30% of Baby Boomers have also thrown down their controller in frustration.
Quick to quit, quick to return
Despite younger gamers being the most likely to call it a day, they are also the quickest to be sucked back in. Nine in 10 of all gamers who have rage quit admit they have returned to the same game later that day, while more than half (56%) have told themselves "just one more game" after losing, only to continue playing for another hour.
The research, commissioned by Clash Royale to mark the launch of Viking Season, an in-game event celebrating the emotional highs and lows of competitive gameplay, also revealed the biggest rage quit triggers for Gen Z. Poor Wi-Fi causing games to lag (47%) and feeling like a game is unfair (30%) are among the top triggers, while 26% have thrown in the towel after seeing a long winning streak end abruptly.
How gamers react
When gaming reaches boiling point, 30% simply sit in stunned silence, unable to believe what they have just witnessed on screen, while the same proportion storm out of the room. Another 17% vent by screaming into a pillow, while 21% head straight to the in-game chat to rant about what just happened.
These explosions don't always take place at home, as 39% of gamers have experienced game rage while playing in public. Of those, 41% have lost their cool in a park, 34% on a bus and 31% while gaming in a pub. However, many would rather keep those outbursts private, with 45% of rage quitters saying they would not feel comfortable being filmed during one of their gaming meltdowns.
Regional hotspots
The study, carried out by OnePoll, also revealed that London is the UK's biggest hotspot for angry gamers, with 79% admitting they have rage quit. Despite their short tempers, gamers in the capital are some of the quickest to get over their rage, with 68% getting back online within 30 minutes, ahead of the national average of 53%. The North West follows closely behind, with 66% admitting they have quit in frustration. But Yorkshire and the Humber emerged as the calmest region, although 55% still admit to rage quitting. The South East (59%) and South West (60%) sit closer to the national average of 64%.
When it comes to online creators, IShowSpeed is London's preferred icon (37%), while gamers in the North West are more likely to back local hero AngryGinge (17%). As part of the campaign, players can submit their rage clips, with the top 10 clips going head-to-head in a community vote – and the winning clip will be immortalised as a Rage Emote, an in-game reaction players can use to express their frustration during battles.
