Video games remain as popular as ever for Americans, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) reports.
Findings about video game consumption in the U.S. were published in the ESA’s annual report, 2023 Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry, which seeks to quantify information about national video game usage, ranging from demographics to opinion-based surveys.
The report found that 65% of people in the U.S., which is about 212 million people, play video games for at least one hour a week. Of those 212 million Americans who play video games regularly, a little less than half were female (46%), and a little more than half were male (53%), while approximately 1% identified another way or chose not to identify.
Ages of video gamers also varied in the report: 26% are under 18, 35% are 18-34, 14% are 35-44, 11% are 45-54, and 14% are 55 or older. The average age of a regular video game player is 32.
Of adults who play video games, 72% are white, 10% are Hispanic, 8% are Black, 6% are Asian/Pacific Islander, and 4% identified as “Other.”
Business trends are also at the heart of the report. It looked at the year-over-year spending in the U.S. on video games, and found that in 2022, consumers spent $6.57 billion on consoles, $47.5 billion on content, and $2.5 billion on accessories. 2022 sales were down $3 billion from 2021’s $59.6 billion.
Aside from objective numbers and demographics, the survey also reports on subjective attitudes toward video gaming from users themselves. It found that half of players have met a good friend, spouse, or significant other through video games, and that 76% of U.S. parents play video games with their children.
“Video games remain a mainstay in American households, as they have for decades. Playing video games has become the norm, as those who first learned to play on early consoles now share their joy of play with their own children and grandchildren, resulting in an expansive and diverse player community,” says Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the ESA. “The Essential Facts report demonstrates that video games not only connect us, but also enhance our sense of well-being.”
To that end, 96% of regular video game users reported that playing video games benefits them, with 84% saying it provides mental stimulation and 83% saying it provides stress relief.
To read more about consumers’ video game habits and opinions, check out the full report at theesa.com.
