Dive into the latest gaming trends in the US with this report. Mintel’s data-backed analysis allows you to explore how and why gamers are playing and purchasing when it comes to video games, hardware, and accessories.
Below, we’ve highlighted the key topics covered and offer hand-selected findings from the full document.
Key Topics Covered
- Trends impacting the video game hardware and accessories market.
- How long gamers are playing each week, and how much content they’re watching.
- Which gaming products and services gamers have purchased in the last 12 months.
- What factors are most important to prospective video game hardware buyers.
- Who’s looking to buy video game hardware and accessories and what are they most interested in.
- How video game players feel about owning and shopping for new gaming products.
Overview of Gaming Trends in the US
The video game industry looks to be in a dynamic state in 2024. Over three-quarters of Americans are gamers, and this number jumps up for members of Gen Z. Many are purchasing new gaming hardware, indicating potential for new game purchasing, or free-to-play games that enable gamers to exploit their new hardware. Accessories are also top of mind for gaming consumers, in an industry that doesn’t look to be slowing down.
US Gaming Consumer Statistics
- Gaming hardware purchase factors: Weighed up, gamers see more value in hardware/consoles that are easy to use and have a variety of games. Graphics are not a priority against these factors, even among younger gamers.
- Engagement differences between age groups: Younger consumers (aged 18-54) are generally more engaged with gaming than gamers over 55. The oldest Millennials are in their forties but are still often as engaged as Gen Z.
- Accessories interest and ownership: Streaming and online gaming have made gaming mics and headsets highly desirable accessories in the market compared to other accessories. Reviews from professionals can make these products coveted and drive demand up.
- Gaming subscriptions and multicultural consumers: Hispanic and Black consumers are highly interested in subscriptions. Additionally, younger Hispanic gamers are the most likely to have bought in-game content and access to more content.
For a comprehensive analysis of gaming consumer statistics and the relevant market opportunities, buy the full report. You can also browse our other gaming market research.
Brands Covered
Launch activity, innovation, marketing, and advertising of various brands is discussed. Brands/games/platforms include Palworld, Lethal Company, DIsney HoloTile, Las Vegas Sphere, Tommy Hilfiger’s FashionVerse, Deep Rock Galactic, Ubisoft, Apple Vision Pro, Game Awards, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and more.
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- Interactive Databook: Each Databook is provided as an interactive website where you can deep dive into our consumer research data on your chosen topic so you can draw your own conclusions.
- Mintel’s Clients Portal: Our portal provides instant access to actionable analysis, podcasts, and trend pieces relevant to your industry that are published almost daily, as well as our annual Global Consumer Trends. You can also browse our extensive library of market research reports.
Expert Analysis
Leading gaming analyst Brian Benway delivers expert industry commentary and insights with this in-depth gaming market report.
The video game industry keeps growing each year, attracting a broad group of players. Gamers are investing in new hardware, which is driving accessory interest.
Brian Benway
Senior Tech and Gaming Analyst
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Executive Summary
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Gaming time comparison
- Graph 1: gaming play time comparison, 2019-23
- Graph 2: planning to spend more time playing video games in 2024 compared to 2023, by age and gender, 2023
- Graph 3: gaming time comparison, playing vs engaged with gaming content, 2023
- Graph 4: average time spent playing games, by age, 2023
- Graph 5: average time spent engaged with gaming content, by age, 2023
- Graph 6: average time spent playing games, 2019-23
- Graph 7: average time spent engaged with gaming content, 2019-23
- Graph 8: average (mean) weekly time spent playing games in hours, by age, 2023
- Gaming purchasing behavior
- Graph 9: gaming products/services purchased in past 12 months, 2019-23
- Graph 10: gaming products/services purchased in past 12 months, 2023
- Graph 11: did not buy any gaming products/services in the past 12 months, by age, 2023
- Graph 12: any new hardware purchase in past 12 months (net), by age, 2023
- Graph 13: any single copy game purchased in past 12 months (net), by age, 2023
- Graph 14: gaming products/services purchased in past 12 months (select), Black and Hispanic consumers vs overall, 2023
- Graph 15: purchased accessories and/or VR headset in past 12 months, by parental status, 2023
- Hardware purchase factors
- Graph 16: hardware purchase factors, 2023
- Graph 17: hardware purchase factors, by age, 2023
- Graph 18: hardware purchase factors, Hispanic (any race) consumers vs overall, 2023
- Graph 19: hardware purchase factors, by gaming device usage, 2023
- Gaming accessories interest and ownership
- Graph 20: gaming accessories interest and ownership, 2023
- Graph 21: gaming accessories purchase interest, by age, 2023
- Graph 22: gaming accessories purchase interest, moms vs dads, 2023
- Graph 23: currently own, but looking to replace it, by work location, 2023
- Graph 24: gaming accessories purchase interest, by income, 2023
- Console purchasing factors
- Graph 25: “I typically buy a new gaming console…”, 2023
- Graph 26: “I typically buy a new gaming console…”, early enthusiasts, 2023
- Graph 27: “I typically buy a new gaming console…”, patient gamers, 2023
- Graph 28: “I typically buy a new gaming console…”, by gender, 2023
- Graph 29: “I typically buy a new gaming console…”, by gender, 2023
- Graph 30: “I typically buy a new gaming console…”, by gamer segment, 2023
- Attitudes towards video games
- Graph 31: attitudes towards gaming accessories (% any agree), by age, 2023
- Graph 32: attitudes towards gaming accessories (% any agree), by gamer segments, 2023
- Graph 33: attitudes toward gaming value (% any agree), Hispanic consumers vs overall, 2023
- Graph 34: attitudes toward device loyalty (% any agree), by gamer segments, 2023
- Graph 35: attitudes toward gaming hardware (% any agree), moms vs dads, 2023
- Graph 36: large video game companies buying other large video game companies is a bad thing (% any agree), by age, 2023
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Competitive Strategies
- Launch activity and innovation
- Marketing and advertising
- Opportunities
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The Market
- Market context
- Market overview
- Graph 37: global video game industry revenue, 2019-25
- Graph 38: global video game industry revenue ($ billions) share, by device, 2023
- Graph 39: Consumer Price Index change from previous period, 2020-23
- Market drivers
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Appendix
- The market
- The consumer
- Graph 40: “What devices have you played video games on in the past three months? Please select all that apply.”, 2023
- Graph 41: “How often do you play video games?”, 2023
- Graph 42: gaming motivations, 2023
- Graph 43: Mintel gamer segments – motivations, % of consumers, 2023
- Graph 44: gamer segments – motivations, by gender 2023
- Graph 45: gamer segments – motivations, by age, 2023
- Graph 46: Mintel gamer segments – devices and frequency, % of consumers, 2023
- Graph 47: attitudes towards gaming accessories, 2023
- Graph 48: attitudes toward increasing gaming costs, 2023
- Graph 49: attitudes toward gaming hardware, 2023
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