Americans’ interest in gaming is growing across the board, an annual study from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) reveals.
According to the ESA’s 2025 Essential Facts About the Video Game Industry report, more than 205 million Americans played video games for more than one hour weekly in 2024.
The study, conducted alongside market research firm YouGov in February, analyzed 5,000 American respondents’ demographics and gaming habits.
U.S. Gamer Demographics
Findings show the average American gamer is aged 36 and has played video games for roughly 18 years — about half of their life. Still, from Generation Alpha to the Silent Generation, every group reports at least some video game usage. While Gen Alpha males report more playtime than any subgroup (88%), the report says 50% of Americans aged 61 to 79 play video games on a weekly basis.
Male gamers outnumber their female counterparts in nearly every generation; female Baby Boomers report more playtime than male Baby Boomers — 52% and 46%, respectively.
Compared to last year’s study, findings show a one-percent gender shift overall. Last year, 46% of survey respondents identified as female, while 53% identified as male. This time around, 52% of respondents identified as male, while 47% identified as female. 1% did not disclose. Additionally, 9% of respondents self-identified as LGBTQ.
American parents are joining in on the fun, too. The ESA report says around 82% of parent participants play video games with their children. Of game-playing guardians, 90% used parental controls to block mature content, while 62% utilized the software to limit young players’ in-game spending.
Roughly 83% of U.S. households reported using at least one gaming device in 2024. Mobile devices were the most-utilized medium, drawing around 72% of players, a 5% uptick from last year. PCs took the No. 2 spot at 54%, up 6% from last year’s 42%.
Pricing, Parity Lead Player Priorities
The ESA says “price and gameplay quality” led consumers’ priorities.
More than half of gamers (57%) reported downloading a free game within the last year, while 40% of respondents reported purchasing at least one game in the same time frame. About 33% paid for a gaming-related subscription service.
More than half of those polled purchased in-game content. Of those indulging in microtransactions, 34% cite in-game currencies as their go-to buy, while 26% say they shelled out for expansion packs or miscellaneous cosmetics like skins.
Additionally, nearly 1 in 3 respondents (31%) say accessibility is “very important” when deciding what to play, with 36% of adults with disabilities saying games are “somewhat accessible.”
According to the ESA’s release, more than 1 in 5 American adult players (21%) report having a disability. However, 43% of adult gamers with disabilities say they face “physical challenges.” Additionally, 25% report “visual” challenges, 20% “cognitive,” 16% “auditory,” and 17% cite “other” challenges.
Behind Rising Interest
Americans turn to gaming for multiple reasons: 68% of interviewees play games to pass the time or unwind, while 62% partake for pleasure. Roughly 35% lean on games for mental stimulation.
The ESA expands on these figures, saying “mental stimulation is a primary benefit perceived by older adults, while younger adults focus more on bringing joy, creating accessible experiences, building new relationships, and stress relief.”
“Video games are a powerful cultural force that have a universal appeal across every demographic due to their widespread appeal as a fun and beneficial way to spend time,” ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said. “With nearly two-thirds of Americans regularly playing, it’s important to recognise that the nation’s most beloved form of entertainment also provides mental stimulation, stress relief, and meaningful social connection that extends well beyond the moment of play.”
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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