Immersive, Accessible Experiences Drive Growth in U.S. Gaming Market

New report from CTA explores gaming's post-pandemic popularity

The U.S. gaming population expanded by 3% from 2019 to 2022, as 9 million new gamers aged 13 to 64 entered the market, according to a new Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® study . The active gaming population in this age range now totals 164 million, representing 73% of 224 million U.S. adults and adolescents.

2022 Future of Gaming research front cover featuring an image of a gamer wearing a VR headset

"Accessible and immersive experiences are the future of entertainment, especially in gaming," said CTA Researcher Steven Hummel. "Gamers are on the cutting edge, and diverse gaming options meet the interests of ever-wider audiences. As we'll see at CES 2023, game publishers, hardware manufacturers and retailers all have an opportunity to capitalize on a growing market."

The survey measured enthusiasm for gaming and segmented respondents according to interest level. Across all platforms, gamers spend an average of 24 hours a week playing video games.

  • 40.9 million hardcore gamers (average 37 weekly hours)
  • 55.6 million core gamers (average 29 weekly hours)
  • 67.3 million casual gamers (average 13 weekly hours)

Market Background
Digital stores now have a clear lead over mass-merchant and specialty gaming stores: 55% of console and PC gamers report shopping in a digital store versus 40% for mass-merchant and 38% specialty gaming stores.

  • 69% of gamers spent money on games in the last six months
  • Hardcore gamers spend an average of $577 per year on both digital and physical games
  • AR/VR gamers spend $626 per year, and Metaverse Enthusiasts spend $593 annually
  • Core gamers spend an average of $426 per year

According to a CTA's most recent Biannual U.S. Consumer Tech Sales Forecast , gaming revenue will increase by 1% to $51.7 billion in 2022, and $52.4 billion in 2023 (+1% YoY).

The Next Realm of Gaming
Hardcore gamers and young people are pushing gaming experiences to new platforms and realms of entertainment. There is a growing population of gamers interested in newer gaming technology, including AR/VR and a future metaverse.

Almost 38 million gamers self-identify as metaverse enthusiasts. Twenty-three million gamers have purchased AR/VR technology. Twenty-nine percent of gamers plan to buy a VR/AR headset, almost the same number who plan to buy a console or PC.

The proportion of gamers who mentioned AR/VR/metaverse to improve the gaming experience jumped from 8% in 2019 to 22%. Hardcore Gamers are more interested in VR gaming than Core and Casual gamers, while teenagers expect to play VR games more than adults. Hardcore Gamers average 2.1 hours per week on AR/VR games.

Hardcore Gamers are more interested in VR gaming than Core and Casual gamers, while teenagers expect to play VR games more than adults. Hardcore Gamers average 2.1 hours per week on AR/VR games.

Leveling-Up Accessories
Gamers have strong appetites for immersive hardware like 8K televisions and soundbars.

  • More than half (51%) of gamers already use a TV with 4K or higher quality for gaming
  • 36% say they plan to upgrade to an 8K TV in the next 12 months
  • 40% of gamers plan to purchase personal audio products, such as headphones or headsets with microphones, and 26% plan to buy home audio products, such as soundbars or surround sound speakers to improve their gaming experience in the next 12 months

Mobile and Cloud Gaming on the Rise
Mobile and on-demand platforms are fueling growth and increased accessibility.

  • Average time spent on mobile gaming is approaching 10 hours a week, eclipsing consoles' 7.5 average weekly hours
  • 43% of gamers pay for a gaming subscription service

Gaming at CES 2023
Major gaming industry names including Microsoft, Sony, AMD, Razer, Intel, Qualcomm and HyperX will exhibit at CES® – the most influential tech event in the world. Media registration for CES 2023 .

Consumer Technology Association

As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA® is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators – from startups to global brands – helping support more than 18 million American jobs.

Find us at CTA.tech .

Follow us @CTAtech .

Chart of U.S. gaming spending segmented by level of interest and preferred device.

Chart of devices used by U.S. gamers compared to device purchase intent in next 12 months.

Chart of U.S. gaming population segmented by level of interest.

(PRNewsfoto/Consumer Technology Association)

Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/immersive-accessible-experiences-drive-growth-in-us-gaming-market-301633270.html

SOURCE Consumer Technology Association

News Provided by PR Newswire via QuoteMedia

GAMING00
The Conversation (0)
East Side Games

The Office: Somehow We Manage Mobile Game Available Now

East Side Games Group (TSX: EAGR) (OTC: EAGRF) (" ESGG " or the " Company "), Canada's leading free-to-play mobile game group, in collaboration with Universal Games and Digital Platforms, announced today the worldwide launch of The Office: Somehow We Manage on iOS and Android. The free-to-play idle game is inspired by NBC's critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning U.S. version of The Office which is now streaming exclusively on Peacock.

Watch the launch trailer here .

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
hand touching phone

Game-changing Prospects for the iGaming Market

iGaming has grown considerably in recent years. Driven by innovations in web technology and a changing regulatory landscape, online casinos and sportsbooks are more popular than ever.

To understand how the landscape may change moving forward, investors should assess how the industry has evolved in recent years.

Keep reading...Show less
smartphone on podium

Top Trends Shaping the Canadian iGaming Market

From emerging technologies to evolving regulations, the trajectory of iGaming has changed substantially in recent years as the market has experienced significant growth.

In 2022, Ontario's provincial government introduced game-changing legislation that established a regulatory framework for iGaming. Due to this legislation, regulated iGaming successfully displaced the unregulated market, according to Attorney General Doug Downey, creating over 1.6 million active player accounts across more than 70 operator websites as of April 2023 — just over one year following the change.

Ontario's regulation has also laid the groundwork for widespread change in the iGaming space across Canada. As iGaming continues to evolve, it's important to have a deeper understanding of both new and existing trends that will shape the industry's future, as well as regulations.

Keep reading...Show less
NorthStar Gaming Holdings

NorthStar Gaming Holdings


Keep reading...Show less
NorthStar Gaming Announces New Partnership Agreement with BettorView

NorthStar Gaming Announces New Partnership Agreement with BettorView

Partnership strategically positions NorthStar to reach consumers in restaurants and bars across Ontario

NorthStar Gaming Inc. (TSXV: BET) is proud to announce it has entered a partnership agreement with BettorView that will enable NorthStar to engage with consumers in restaurants and bars across Ontario. The partnership provides NorthStar with the opportunity to further expand player acquisition across both sports wagering and online casino in a frictionless and convenient manner.

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
NorthStar Gaming Reports Triple-Digit Growth in Wagers and Revenue in Q3 2023

NorthStar Gaming Reports Triple-Digit Growth in Wagers and Revenue in Q3 2023

Strong year-over-year performance sets the stage for further growth

NorthStar Gaming Holdings Inc. (TSXV: BET) ("NorthStar" or the "Company") today released its financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023. All dollar figures are quoted in Canadian dollars.

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×