A poll of 1,000 UK gamers has found that Gen Z gamers are the most likely to rage quit, with 79% of those aged 18 to 28 admitting they have quit a game in anger. This compares to 75% of Millennials, 53% of Gen X, and just 30% of Baby Boomers.
Quick to return
Despite being the most likely to throw in the towel, younger gamers are also the quickest to come back for another go. 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 uttered the phrase "just one more game" after losing, only to continue playing for another hour.
Top causes of rage quitting
Among the biggest causes of rage quitting for Gen Z are poor Wi-Fi causing games to lag (47%) and feeling like a game is unfair (30%). Others have abruptly logged off after seeing a long winning streak end abruptly (26%).
The research was commissioned by Clash Royale to mark the launch of Viking Season, an in-game event celebrating the emotional highs and lows that come with competitive gameplay. As part of the campaign, players can submit their rage clips, with the top 10 clips going head-to-head in a community vote. The winning clip will be immortalised as a Rage Emote in-game which reaction players can use to express their frustration during battles.
How gamers react
When gaming reaches boiling point, three in 10 simply sit in stunned silence, unable to believe what they've just witnessed on screen, while the same proportion have been known to storm out of the room. Another 17% vent their frustrations by screaming into a pillow, while 21% head straight to the in-game chat to vent about what just happened.
These outbursts aren't always confined to the 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, which was carried out by OnePoll, also revealed that London is the UK's biggest hotspot for gamer rage, with 79% admitting they have rage quit. Despite their short tempers, gamers in the capital are some of the quickest to recover, with 68% returning to play 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 content creators, IShowSpeed is London's preferred icon (37%), while gamers in the North West are more likely to back homegrown favourite AngryGinge (17%).
