Thanks to advancements in technology and increased accessibility to the internet, more people can play video games worldwide. The games being created today are more immersive and enjoyable than ever, attributed to the rise in the number of people playing video games. In addition, more people have access to video games than ever before due to the increased accessibility to mobile phones and the internet, which people can use to play their favourite games where ever they are. This article will discuss how many people are playing video games and what the future looks like for the gaming industry.
How Many People Are Playing Video Games?
In 2023, it has been estimated that there are around 3.26 billion gamers worldwide. This makes up a whopping 41% of the entire population of planet Earth. The revenue from gaming is also estimated to hit around $221.4 billion in 2023. From 2020 to 2021, there was a significant rise in the number of people playing video games, and the gaming industry continues to proliferate.
When video games were first made, it was thought that they were only for children and teenagers; however, it is clear that this is no longer the case, with adults making up a significant percentage of gamers worldwide. People can play various games, from Table Games Online to first-person shooters and Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs.) In addition, there are many ways people can enjoy video games, including mobile devices, gaming consoles, and PCs. The accessibility and vast choice have made gaming something that a considerable age range can enjoy, contributing to the significant rise in gamers in recent years.
As mentioned before, there will be around 3.26 billion gamers worldwide in 2023, an increase of 7.54% from 2022. By 2027 it has been estimated that the number of gamers will reach approximately 3.8 billion, with 540 million new gamers joining the gaming movement. This equates to a 16.56% increase in gamers for the four years between 2023 and 2027.
Number of Gamers by Country & Region
Around two-thirds of Americans play video games, equating to about 215.5 million people. In addition, the average person playing video games in the United States is an adult, with close distribution between males and females. One study showed that around 70% of boys and men and 62% of girls and women play video games in the United States. The average adult gamer in America uses video games to engage their brains and improve their time. On the other hand, slightly younger gamers aged between 18 and 24 years old play video games for comfort, entertainment, and connection.
What Percentage of Americans Play Video Games?
It has been estimated that 65% of the population in the United States plays video games. Around 66% of this cohort have said that they play video games at least one time throughout their week. In addition, another study has found that 65% of gamers in America are aged 18 years old or over. The under-18 age group of gamers makes up 24% of video game players in America, the 18 to 34 age group makes up 36%, 35 to 44 makes up 13%, 45 to 55 makes up 12%, 55 to 65 makes up 9% and over 65s makes up around 6% of American gamers. It has also been estimated that the average age of a gamer in the United States is 33 years old.
Most Played Games
Millions of video games people enjoy playing daily; however, only a select few have made it to the millions when it comes to copies sold. The most popular video game ever created is, without a doubt, Tetris, with over 520 million copies sold since its’ creation. In second place is Minecraft, with 238 million copies sold worldwide. Some newer games that have made it into the top 10 most popular video games include the team-based shooter Overwatch, released in 2016, and PUBG, a battle-royale-style game released in 2017. Overwatch has sold 50 million copies, with PUBG selling around 75 million.
The type of devices people are using to play video games has also changed over the years. A study has shown that over 70% of people prefer using their mobile devices to play video games, and just 52% of gamers use consoles. 43% of gamers use a PC to play video games, and just 26% use a tablet. Virtual reality is a relatively new technology. However, 7% of people use VR devices to play video games. This number will likely increase as the technology improves and becomes more accessible to the broader gaming population.
Video games have come a long way since their first creation in terms of accessibility and satisfaction. Nowadays, people spend a considerable amount of their free time and can even have careers playing video games competitively. The number of gamers worldwide will continue to rise if the gaming industry continues to grow at the same rate it has been increasing in recent years.
