A substantial portion of Britain's young male gamers embrace conspiracy theories at twice the rate of the general population, according to new research that raises uncomfortable questions about who gravitates toward gaming communities and why.
The study, conducted by More in Common and The AKO Storytelling Institute at the University of Arts London, surveyed 2,000 British men aged 18 to 24 and identified a distinct demographic called "Sceptical Scrollers." This group represents about 10% of the UK population and stands out for its heavy video game consumption compared to any other cohort.
The profile is striking. Sceptical Scrollers tend to have low incomes, high debt levels, and often live in social housing near their birthplaces. They almost never watch terrestrial television, listen to radio, or read newspapers. Instead, they source news from YouTube, podcasts, and social media. The research found that those believing "secret groups are controlling global events" within this gaming-heavy segment reported four times greater confidence they could spot misinformation, despite their susceptibility to false claims.
Researchers initially explored whether video games could serve as a bridge to reach people who have turned away from traditional media entirely. The idea had appeal: games might offer a way to counter misinformation in communities already disconnected from mainstream sources.
The experiment did not go as hoped. When researchers embedded subtle anti-misinformation messages into games for test players, results proved disappointing. One game revealed a character's manipulation. Another centered on recognizing susceptibility to false information. Both efforts backfired once participants understood the intent. "A number of participants felt betrayed," the study noted.
The reason became clear through follow-up analysis. Members of this group view gaming as refuge, a space removed from politics and the grinding realities of their daily lives. They want escapism, not messaging. The study concluded that most treat games as "an alternative to the moral, political and gritty reality they live in, and they want them to stay that way."
The findings do suggest at least one potential path forward. Rather than designing games specifically to contest conspiracy beliefs, games that naturally encourage critical thinking may still hold value. Among Us and Papers, Please, both of which require players to evaluate information and assess trustworthiness, might offer subtler routes to sharper thinking without the didactic feel that prompted participants to feel manipulated.
The research underscores a broader concern: gaming communities, particularly those dominated by disengaged young men, appear vulnerable to conspiratorial thinking. Whether games themselves contribute to that susceptibility or simply reflect it remains unclear. What is certain is that the community exists, it is substantial, and it is unlikely to respond well to heavy-handed intervention.
Author Emily Chen: "This study shows why tech companies can't just engineer their way out of misinformation problems in gaming spaces, especially when the core appeal is escape from reality itself."
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