59% of younger gamers, in the 18-34 age group, prefer YouTube as their social media platform, while older gamers lean towards Facebook. Instagram and TikTok are also popular, showing diverse…
Stay ahead of the curve and ground your gaming business strategy with Mintel’s Gaming Influencers and Streaming Market Report. The report provides a data-led understanding of what consumers want to see from gaming influencers and why, and opportunities within the gaming industry to accelerate social media strategy.
Topics Analyzed
Trends in social media use and influencer marketing within the gaming industry.
Where social media influencers should position themselves to have an impact on gaming.
What types of content gamers most want to see from social media influencers.
What social media drama will spark the most negative reaction from followers.
Types of social media users follow and how demographics on platforms are changing.
Attitudes toward social media’s impact on gaming, their interactions, and content.
Gamer Streaming Preferences
59% of younger gamers, in the 18-34 age group, prefer YouTube as their social media platform, while older gamers lean towards Facebook. Instagram and TikTok are also popular, showing diverse social media preferences among gamers that follow broader modern trends in platform usage.
Notably, 70% of younger gamers find watching others play a good replacement for playing themselves, but this viewing can often lead to influencing them to purchase game themself. Authentic enjoyment from streamers and influencers on any platforms is vital, as most would unsubscribe due to negativity towards others or inauthenticity, highlighting the importance of positive genuine content.
Looking ahead
AI use is growing in social media marketing, offering interactive AI influencers. However, it risks eroding trust, highlighting the need for authentic content. Collaborating with popular human influencers for charitable causes boosts engagement and brand image while providing an authentic human touch.
Human effort in social media and influencer marketing remains the most meaningful. However, a large majority of US adults want stronger privacy and data protection laws for social media to address widespread concerns.
As a Gaming Analyst, Brian researches and analyzes the video game industry across genres and platforms. Brian has been with Mintel since 2017. His education background in Game Design and Animation informs his expertise and consumer insights in the gaming sector.
Age matters to gamers social media usage, but watching others play positively leads gamers to gain interest in purchase games themselves.
Brian Benway Senior Tech and Gaming Analyst
Collapse All
Executive Summary
Key issues covered in this Report
Overview
What you need to know
Consumer trends: key takeaways
Global video game market size
Market predictions
Opportunities
Market Dynamics
Market context
Market overview
Global video gaming revenue is forecasted for slower growth after 2023
Graph 1: global video game industry revenue, 2019-26
2.6% year-over-year growth does little to alter device shares globally
Graph 2: global video game industry revenue share (% billions), by device, 2023
Consumer prices rose by 3.3% in May, down for the second consecutive month
Graph 3: headline CPI and shelter CPI, 2021-24
Consumer sentiment remains down, but is expected to rebound soon
Graph 4: consumer sentiment index, 2021-24
Market drivers
Why gaming influencers and streamers matter
Video games thrive on streaming platforms
Top Twitch users
Top YouTube users
Hours of content doesn't equate 1:1 with hours viewed
The TikTok ban and gamers
Gamers of all stripes overwhelmingly support social media data protection and privacy laws
Graph 5: social media platforms need laws and regulations that force them to prioritize user privacy and data protection (% agree), by gamer segment – device and frequency, 2024
Graph 6: social media platforms need laws and regulations that force them to prioritize user privacy and data protection (% agree), by gamer segment – motivations, 2024
If YouTube and Twitch scale back, openings for new platforms and personalities could emerge
No functionality is better than having X functionality
Jingle the keys for baby, playable games on YouTube
Consumer Insights
Consumer fast facts
Social media platform usage
Social media is dominated by the top four platforms
Graph 7: most preferred social media platforms (any rank), 2024
Appeal to youth on TikTok with fun content
Women seem to lean more towards the social side, men prefer the media
Graph 8: preferred social media platform (any rank), by gender, 2024
Facebook was exclusively for college students, but now it's a nursing home
Graph 9: most preferred social media platforms (any rank), by age, 2024
VR's immersive capabilities could enhance live streaming and esports
Graph 10: "I prefer to watch live streams of video game content on social media", by gamer segments – device and frequency, 2024
Types of gaming content viewed on social media
Unboxings aren't as interesting as watching someone do something difficult
Graph 11: types of gaming content viewed on social media, 2024
Gamers engage with content that enhances play
Older gamers aren't a lost cause, but younger viewers are easier picking
Graph 12: types of gaming content viewed on social media, by age, 2024
Expect older viewers to engage with content on their own schedule
Graph 13: watching gaming behaviors, by age, 2024
Gamers always want to play, but older gamers really don't want to sit and watch
Graph 14: attitudes toward gaming social media interactions (% agree), by age, 2024
Women often have to fight for their seat at the gaming table, help make it easier
Graph 15: types of gaming content viewed on social media, by gender, 2024
Women are more drawn by individual personality than by gaming content
Graph 16: follow related gaming behaviors, by gender, 2024
Connection within content can strengthen appeal for groups of creators
Graph 17: "I prefer to follow content groups on social media", by age, 2024
Content strategies for Black and Hispanic gamer audiences reinforce engagement and growth
Graph 18: types of gaming content viewed on social media, overall vs Black and Hispanic consumers, 2024
Understanding why they play to predict what they will watch
Graph 19: types of gaming content viewed on social media, by gamer segment – motivation, 2024
Gaming merchandise purchases and social media influence
In all cases, social media sponsorship is a big benefit but not a driver of purchasing decisions
Graph 20: gaming merchandise purchases and social media influence, 2024
Extending experiences and reaching time-constrained gamers
Entrenched lifestyle gamers likely to be more influenced to purchases by social media recommendations
Graph 21: proportion of gaming-related merchandise purchases made because they were sponsored or recommended on social media, 2024
Social media influencers are most impactful making recommendations for men
Graph 22: have purchased this because it was sponsored or recommended on social media, by gender, 2024
Hispanic gamers buy in to social commerce recommendations
Graph 23: have purchased this because it was sponsored or recommended on social media, Hispanic gamers vs overall, 2024
Algorithmic based recommendations can't compete with friends sharing across all gamers' backgrounds
Graph 24: social media algorithm recommendations aren't as interesting as content my friends recommend to me (% agree), by race, 2024
Social gamers respond best to social media recommendations
Graph 25: have purchased this because it was sponsored or recommended on social media, by gamer segment – motivations, 2024
Social media turn-offs
Gamers want social media personalities to be low drama and real
Graph 26: behaviors by social media content creators/influencers that would make one consider unsubscribing or unfollowing them, 2024
Authentic positive content over commercialization
Women are more likely to be turned off by social media behavior
Graph 27: behaviors by social media content creators/influencers that would make one consider unsubscribing or unfollowing them, by gender, 2024
Some gamers will seek to avoid ads, and financially driven negative behavior, by donating to content creators directly
Graph 28: attitudes toward gaming social media content (% agree), by age, 2024
Older individuals less willing to tolerate negative behavior
Graph 29: behaviors by social media content creators/influencers that would make one consider unsubscribing or unfollowing them, by age, 2024
Innovation and Marketing Trends
Marketing and advertising
Why pay for human influencers when you can AI generate your own?
AI influencers are already recommending products to consumers
Gamers are mostly OK with AI influencers and think they're entertaining
Graph 30: attitudes toward the future of social media (% agree), by age, 2024
An obvious touchstone example, Pewd's Gfuel
Why does it continue to work when others fade?
My Talking Tom 2 gets an outfit collaboration with Mr. Beast
My Talking Tom 2 sponsored philanthropy in the Philippines
With E3 officially gone, Summer Game Fest fills the gap for gaming industry news and spectacle
Appendix
Market definition
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Abbreviations and terms
The consumer
Gaming device usage – NET
Graph 31: gaming device usage, 2024
Gaming console brand usage
Graph 32: gaming console brand usage, 2024
Gaming frequency – NET
Graph 33: Gaming frequency, 2024
Mintel gamer segments – motivations
Top gaming motivations – NET – any rank
Graph 34: top gaming motivations – NET – any rank
Mintel gamer segments – motivations
Graph 35: Mintel gamer segments – motivations
Gamer segments – Achievers and Explorers
Gamer segments – Socializers and Competitors
Mintel gamer segments – device and frequency
Graph 36: Mintel gamer segments – device and frequency, 2024
Why Choose Mintel?
Mintel is the world’s leading market intelligence agency. We show you how consumers think today and tomorrow. As a trusted partner to industry leaders, we deliver game-changing insights to businesses across the globe, fuelling their marketing and innovation strategies that will shape the future.
Access high-quality market research with every purchase of Mintel’s consumer reports. Here’s what else is included in your report purchase:
Multiple Report Formats: Mintel’s reports are available in PDF and PPT formats, and are delivered straight to your inbox, so you can easily share Mintel’s market intelligence.
Access to Mintel’s Clients Portal: After your purchase is completed, you’ll receive an invitation to join Mintel’s Clients Portal, providing instant access to supplementary insights from Mintel’s industry experts.
Interactive Databook: Mintel’s bespoke consumer data is presented as an interactive website, so you can deep dive into your chosen topic, explore demographics and download specific statistics.
Custom Presentation Tool: Easily incorporate selected research data and analysis into a tailor-made presentation to win over clients and stakeholders.
Take a look at a sample PDF report below:
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
£ 3,695(Excl.Tax)
Instant access when you pay by credit card
Add multiple reports to your cart to receive a discount
Mintel’s 2024-25 Global Outlook on Sustainability: A Consumer Study is designed to help you understand what brands and companies should prioritise in order to educate consumers and ensure...
The 2024 US mobile gaming market is experiencing steady growth, with players monthly spending showing resilience and growth, indicating increased normalization within mobile gaming. The sector appeals to...
The esports industry in the US is currently being shaped by many factors including economic changes, evolving market trends, and technological advancements. Despite financial challenges, such as reduced...
The US gaming industry is changing due to tech and societal trends. Despite challenges and job losses, the industry is adapting, promising a positive outlook for the next...
More than 60% of US adults who play video games have purchased gaming-branded or partnered products, indicating strong consumer interest in gaming merchandise. The growing influence of gaming...
Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.
Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.
We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.
They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.
Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.
They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.
So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.
Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.
Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.
Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.
Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners
Is this report right for you?
From consumer reports to customised growth strategies. We have an option to suit your business requirements.