Surveys: Casual gamers make up 63 percent of all UK Internet users

I guess PopCap was right to launch Bejeweled 3 in London, huh? The newest UK National Gamers Survey has found that 28 million Internet users in the UK, or 63 percent of the total, are casual gamers. Business 2 Community reports that, of those 28 million, 20 million play casual games on a mobile device. Of course, this likely means games including FarmVille and Angry Birds, but way over half of the British Internet population is widespread nonetheless.

Need more convincing? The survey goes on to report that it finds 40 percent of time spent on Facebook is playing games, and that 19 percent of social gamers admit their addiction. While some countries aren't as addicted to social media as the US, the numbers go to show that no culture is immune to the gripping effects of social games.

However, also keep in mind the the survey was conducted by a pro-gamer organization. The B2C report continues to mention more detailed, unsurprising statistics such as demographics and projected profits but just the figure "63 percent" is enough to show the seemingly unstoppable spread of social gaming.

[Image Credit: GamesRadar]

How long do you think it will take before that number reaches, say, 80 percent of all UK Internet users? How will this level of ubiquity affect the industry as a whole?

Zynga survey reveals possible FrontierVille mounts, cast your vote

FrontierVille Horses
Getting bored of your mighty steed in FrontierVille? Perhaps it simply doesn't compare with the vast selection of a certain fantasy MMO (ahem, World of Warcraft). Zynga seems to be out to rectify that, according to another of its mysterious surveys that appear unannounced on its various games' pages. The survey, which you can fill out here, asks, "If you were given any of the choices below as mounts in race around your homestead what animals would you select?" You have three choices total between options including Ostriches, Desert Tortoises and even Cougars, so try to consider the potentially awesome (or horribly boring) results of your choices. No pressure, but seriously, who wouldn't want to ride on a giant turtle?

Which of these potential mounts is most appealing to you? Aside from mounts, what content would you like to see in FrontierVille more than anything?