The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) released its annual Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry report.
While video games remain wildly popular among Generation Alpha (ages 5 to 12), with 83% playing video games weekly, the 2025 report reveals that America’s favorite pastime isn’t just child’s play. Sixty percent of adults (ages 18 and up) play video games every week and the average age of today’s player is now 36 years old. Americans continue to play games as they age, with nearly half of Boomers (ages 61 to 79) and 36% of the Silent Generation (ages 80-90) playing video games weekly. This year’s report also explores preferences, behaviors and attitudes, with players of all ages saying video games are a great way to relax, have fun, keep their minds sharp and stay connected.
“Video games are a powerful cultural force due to their widespread appeal across every demographic as a fun and beneficial way to spend time,” said ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis. “With nearly two-thirds of Americans regularly playing, it’s important to recognize 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.”
Players represent every demographic.
Older generations are playing video games, with mental stimulation seen as a primary benefit.
Video games are fun and support mental, social and emotional health.
Video games bring families together.
Parents like being in control and prefer video games to social media for their kids.
Video games are a valuable way to build and maintain social connections.
Video games transcend entertainment categories and influence real-life sports performance.
Video games are an accessible outlet for fun, entertainment and connection for players with disabilities.
- More than half of players with disabilities think video games are very accessible (56%), and close to half (49%) rated overall accessibility of video games to be extremely/very important.
- Of those who rated accessibility of video games to be extremely/very important, they rated adjustable text size (50%), adjustable difficulty levels (39%), camera comfort (35%) and subtitles (35%) to be the most important features in games.
