ESA survey finds that nearly two-thirds of Americans play video games

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has released its annual report. Key Facts About the US Video Game Industry report.

The 2024 report details how many Americans play video games and, for the first time, provides qualitative insights into the impact of gaming across all demographics, including race, gender, ethnicity and age. This year's report also marks the first time that children ages 5-17 are included in the quantitative data.

According to ESA data: Key Facts About the US Video Game Industry in 2024 According to the report, 61% of Americans between the ages of 5 and 90 play video games, meaning that approximately 190.6 million people in the U.S. play video games for at least an hour each week. The average player age is 36, and the average adult player has been playing for 17 years, indicating that video games have become a persistent source of entertainment for many players.

“Video games have been an integral part of American life and culture for generations,” said ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis. “Players of all ages, backgrounds and abilities embrace the positive things video games bring to their lives. The games we play and how we play them have evolved over time, but what remains constant is that video games improve our lives in ways that inspire us and bring us closer together.”

ESA Video Games Industry Report Quantifies Entertainment Value of Games

Some of the survey results are introduced below. Key Facts for 2024 According to the ESA report, the research included:

• Video game players reflect the diversity of American societyThe gender split between male and female players was almost evenly split, with 53% of video game players identifying as male, 46% as female, and around 1% selecting non-binary or preferring not to identify a gender in the survey.
• According to the ESA report, of American adults who play video games, 75% are white, 19% are Hispanic, 12% are black, 4% are Asian/Pacific Islander, and 3% are Native American.
• Video games are widely believed to contribute to social and emotional well-being across all age groups.According to the ESA, a majority of U.S. adults (79%) agree that video games bring people joy, provide mental stimulation (77%) and stress relief (76%).
• The majority of players (77%) believe that video games provide mental stimulation, with Baby Boomers and Silent Generations (92%) most likely to agree with this statement, and Gen Z (84%) also most likely to agree.
• For adults, the primary motivations for playing video games are to relax (68% of players) and for fun (67% of players).
• Nearly three-quarters of American adults agree that video games can help improve cognitive skills (73%) and provide accessible experiences for players of different abilities (74%).
• U.S. adults also agree that video games can teach skills in problem-solving (73%), teamwork and collaboration (64%), adaptability (59%), conflict resolution (47%), and communication (51%).

• Gen Alpha and Gen Z are emerging as passionate groups of players and enjoy playing games in a variety of ways. Gen Alpha (ages 5-10) have the highest percentage of video game players: 79% of Gen Alpha play weekly, compared to 56% of adults 18+.
• According to the ESA, the most popular game genres played by Gen Alpha are arcade (64%), action (60%) and puzzle (56%).
• Gen Alpha and Gen Z are most likely to use consoles (58%) and PCs (54%) to play video games.

• Video games bring Americans together, helping us develop and maintain connections with friends and family: 72% of American parents play video games, and of those, 83% play video games with their children. Parents cite spending quality time with their family and sharing fun as their primary reason for playing together.
• Across all age groups, 55% of players play with others every week.
• When it comes to staying connected, the ESA’s latest survey found that adult players agree that video games introduce them to new friends and relationships (73%), help them create unforgettable memories (53%), and give them the opportunity to meet a good friend, spouse or significant other (39%).

• 2024 marks the ESA's 30th anniversary as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry. Key Facts The report includes retrospective findings from reports over the past few years that shed light on the evolution of video game players and how they play.In 2004, the average age of a video game player was 29. Today, the average player age is 36.
• Since 2012, the percentage of people playing video games on mobile devices has increased from 33% to 78% by 2024.
• In 1999, only 18% of players reported playing “online.” Today, nearly 90% enjoy some form of online gaming.
• The ESA notes that older generations are increasingly enjoying video games: In 1999, only 9% of players were over 50. Twenty-five years later, 29% of adults over 50 play video games.
• The ESA adds that the U.S. video game industry is experiencing strong revenue growth. In 2002, consumer spending in the industry was $11.7 billion. By 2023, that figure is set to reach $57.2 billion.