Examining reduced roleplay preference among older gamers

tl;dr: preference for play-style changes with age - older players show reduced preference in roleplay.

Following up on the observation that new joiners appear to be getting older, what does this mean? Is the nature of the game changing?

I started from the Tabletop RPG Research Survey 2020 - 2021 Results Update #1 which showed changing preference for the pillars of gameplay with age, with increased preference for problem-solving/exploration, reduced preference for roleplay.

Graphic copied from TTRPG Research Survey 2020 - 2021 Results Update #1

Comparing this to available datasets we can see the same patterns - first in the 2014 Reddit D&D survey that shows reduced preference for role-play, increased preference for combat.

Another comparison is with the 2020 survey done my Mia Gojak originating from the Facebook 5e group which did not ask about the pillars but about combat/roleplay preference. Though a different question it addresses the same general point and shows a trend with a reduced preference for roleplay.

All together these point towards a general change in preference with age away from role-play towards other aspects of the game. In two of the datasets we can read a relatively stable preference for combat and a turn towards a balance (Facebook survey) or exploration (D&D Research Wizards). In the last dataset (Reddit 2014) we see a stable preference for problem solving and an increased preference for combat.

A counter check with the Reddit survey is to see if this is simply tied to time in the game - start off loving role-play then move towards preference for combat? Recutting the data this way shows apparently not - combat and exploration/problem-solving are relatively stable, role-playing plays off against lack of preference over time.

This suggests that the different age cohorts are running different tables, and assuming that most people are playing with their age-peers then there are very different games going on out there that suit the people at that table. If your table is younger, you may want to hone your improv skills for playing lots of NPCs; if your table is older you may want to read up your battle-tactics.

My take aways from this are that there certainly is no 'one true way' to please everyone playing D&D since people want different variations on the same game - so be sure and ask what your players want.

Sources:

Reddit 2014 D&D Survey - data sheet at the bottom of the page.

Mia Gojaks Survey of D&D 5e Facebook group users.

Tabletop RPG Research Survey 2020 - 2021 Results Update #1.