Highlights
- 212.3M Americans play video games weekly, representing 67% of the U.S. population across multiple generations.
- Mobile remains the leading gaming platform, with around 80% of U.S. players preferring the platform.
- U.S. video game spending reached $60.7B in 2025, surpassing consumer spending on television, movies, and music combined.
More than 212M Americans now play video games regularly, according to the Entertainment Software Association's (ESA) 2026 Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry report. The data highlights gaming's continued expansion beyond its traditional audience, with players spanning nearly every age group from children to adults in their 80s.
The report found that 212.3M Americans between the ages of 5 and 90 play video games for at least one hour per week, representing 67% of the U.S. population.
The average player is now 37 years old, while participation extends across every age group. More than 80% of Gen Alpha and Gen Z respondents reported playing weekly, alongside 71% of Millennials, 56% of Gen X, 50% of Boomers, and 32% of the Silent Generation.
Mobile Gaming Remains the Largest Segment
Mobile continues to be the most popular platform among U.S. players, with around 80% of gamers playing on mobile devices. Puzzle games ranked as the leading genre on mobile and remained the most-played genre overall.
On consoles, players favored action, shooter, and arcade titles, highlighting differences in player preferences across platforms.
The findings also point to gaming's growing social role. Almost half of adult players said video games help them stay connected with friends and family, while 47% reported meeting people through games whom they otherwise would not have met. Among parents who play video games, 81% stated that they have played with their children, reflecting the medium's increasing presence in family entertainment.
The Entertainment Software Association's (ESA)
Calling video games an "integral role in American life," ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis stated that the report reflects how gaming has become a regular activity for millions of Americans across age groups.
The report further found that players view gaming as a strong entertainment value proposition. 63% agreed that video games offer better value for money than streaming services, movies, music, or books. In-game purchases also remain common, particularly among younger audiences, with 78% of Gen Z players, 69% of Gen Alpha players, and 67% of Millennials reporting they have purchased in-game content.
The industry's commercial strength continues to grow alongside its audience. According to ESA data citing Circana, U.S. consumer spending on video games reached $60.7 billion USD in 2025, exceeding spending on television, movies, and music combined. The figures illustrate how gaming has become both a dominant entertainment category and a routine part of everyday life for millions of Americans.
