64% of US Adults Are Video Game Players; A Breakdown Of US Gamers in 2020
Contrary to popular belief, video games are not just for kids anymore. A breakdown of the demographics of US video game players reveals that the average age range of video game players is between 35-44 years old. According to data presented by Rex Pascual, 64% of US adults are gamers and 75% of Americans have at least one member of their household who plays video games.
3 Out 4 Americans Have A Gamer In Their Household
One of the outdated misconceptions about video games is that it is a hobby enjoyed mainly by the younger generation. According to the Entertainment Software Association, by the end of 2020, there were an estimated 214.4M gamers in the US, and of this total gamer population, 163.3M were US adults compared to just 51.1M video game players who are under the age of 18.
A survey of 4000 Americans about their video game habits revealed 64% of US adults are gamers while 70% of those under the age of 18 are video game players. The average age range of a video game player in the US is between 35-44 years old, with the 18-34 age group having the largest share of video game players at 38%. Notably, three-quarters of Americans have at least one member of their household who plays video games.
Smartphone Most Popular Device Among US Adult Gamers
According to the survey, 73% of Americans own a gaming console while 43% own a handheld system. Another 29% own a VR device while 25% own a mobile VR device. Despite the overwhelming lead of the console in device ownership, the smartphone was the most common device used by US adults to play video games at 61% compared to just 52% for consoles. Another 49% indicated using their personal computers to play video games.
The Benefits Of Gaming Became More Apparent Because Of Pandemic
The video game industry was already a growing industry even before 2020, but the Coronavirus pandemic highlighted the significance of video games even more. In 2020, 65% of US gamers indicated playing video games with other players. More specifically, 42% indicated playing with their friends while a notable 17% indicated playing with “online-only” friends or clanmates.
When asked about the positive impact of video games on their lives, 80% of US gamers believe that video games provide mental stimulation while 79% said that video games provide relaxation and stress relief. Notably, 55% of gamers also indicated that video games helped them connect with friends, a significant benefit considering the challenges brought on by the pandemic.
Rex Pascual, commented;
“2020 was a tough year for a lot of people in many respects, and for many, video games provided an enjoyable escape. Besides the innate joy that gaming brings, many other benefits such as being able to connect with friends were highlighted by the pandemic. Through the challenges of 2020, the stigma around video games being for the young and immature is slowly being broken.”
