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Gone is the niche and nerd reputation – with about 2.6 billion global gamers and gaming titles being available on almost every digital device, video games are one of the most popular and enduring hobbies worldwide. Gamer preferences can vary vastly across age groups, genders, and regions – luckily, there is a seemingly infinite range of games to choose from.
The global gaming market
While the continuously declining physical game sales received a bump during the pandemic, digital sales account for most video gaming revenues worldwide. Overall, mobile games are one of the biggest gaming segments, with close to 100 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenues. Only hardware and in-game advertising are bigger money makers.
By generating almost half of global video gaming revenues, Asia-Pacific is the region with the biggest revenue share, followed by North America. In 2023, China was the biggest gaming market worldwide, having overtaken the United States in second place. Japan, a major market with beloved gaming products worldwide, ranked third.
A snapshot of the global gaming audience
The easily-accessible genre of mobile gaming is easily the most popular in terms of audiences – current figures estimate about two billion mobile gamers worldwide. The power of mobile is also reflected in other ways – mobile-first markets such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Turkey top the ranking of global video gaming penetration, as over 94 percent of internet users play video games in these markets. The video gaming penetration worldwide was 83.1 percent across any device.
A global 2023 survey found that more than eight in ten internet users aged 16 to 44 years played video games on any device, with men slightly more likely to do so. During the survey, more than 68 percent of internet users stated they played video games on smartphones, making them the most popular gaming devices among global gaming audiences. PCs were ranked second, with 36.8 percent of gamers stating they played games on the device.
What kind of video games are popular?
A survey of gamers worldwide revealed that shooter and action adventures were the most-played gaming genres among most age groups, with simulation and racing games following in terms of general popularity. Younger gamers were more likely to play battle royale titles, whereas puzzle and casino gamers stood out with older gaming audiences.
When looking at mobile titles specifically, puzzle games stand out as the most popular mobile gaming genre, followed by strategy and casino games. Despite the popularity of casual games, players are more than willing to spend on competitive gaming titles. In 2023, the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title Honor of Kings was the highest-grossing gaming app worldwide, followed by the battle royale game PUBG.
Gaming is more than games
Gaming is more than just games – for many fans, it’s a lifestyle. Just like there are many options for which games to pick, there are also many ways to engage with video games. For example, streaming and video content are an important part of the medium, with many gamers being happy to watch online reviews, walkthroughs, Let’s Plays, or other user-generated content.
YouTube and Twitch are the most popular video platforms for gaming content, with the top gaming streamers accumulating millions of subscribers. Recently, it’s not just the top gaming personalities who get the views – industry showcases, gaming conferences, and awards shows have slowly but surely gone digital and are now being watched by millions online.
With so many options, video games and related content are more accessible than ever, making video games a truly mainstream entertainment option for audiences worldwide.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
J. Clement Research lead covering internet and gaming 
Key insights
- Global video game market revenue
- 396.2bn USD
Detailed statistics
Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029
- Number of mobile gamers worldwide
- 1.93bn
Detailed statistics
Number of digital gamers worldwide 2017-2027, by segment
- Share of internet users who play video games via any device
- 83.6%
Detailed statistics
Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by country
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Overview
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- Premium Statistic Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029
- Premium Statistic Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
- Premium Statistic Video gaming ARPU worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
- Premium Statistic Digital Market Outlook: video games revenue in selected countries 2023
- Premium Statistic Gaming revenue worldwide 2022, by device
- Premium Statistic Gaming revenue worldwide 2022, by segment
- Premium Statistic Games market revenue share worldwide 2022, by segment
- Premium Statistic Games market revenue share worldwide 2022, by region
Overview
- Premium Statistic Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029
Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029
Video game market revenue worldwide from 2019 to 2029 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
Video game market revenue worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
Video game market revenue worldwide from 2019 to 2029, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Video gaming ARPU worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
Video gaming ARPU worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
Video game average revenue per user (ARPU) worldwide from 2019 to 2029, by segment (in U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Digital Market Outlook: video games revenue in selected countries 2023
Digital Market Outlook: video games revenue in selected countries 2023
Digital video game revenue in selected global markets in 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Gaming revenue worldwide 2022, by device
Gaming revenue worldwide 2022, by device
Games market revenue worldwide in 2022, by device (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Gaming revenue worldwide 2022, by segment
Gaming revenue worldwide 2022, by segment
Video game market revenue worldwide in 2022, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Games market revenue share worldwide 2022, by segment
Games market revenue share worldwide 2022, by segment
Share of games market revenue worldwide in 2022, by segment
- Premium Statistic Games market revenue share worldwide 2022, by region
Games market revenue share worldwide 2022, by region
Share of games market revenue worldwide in 2022, by region
Gaming audiences
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- Premium Statistic Number of video gamers worldwide 2019-2029
- Premium Statistic Number of video gamers worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
- Basic Statistic Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by country
- Basic Statistic Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by age and gender
Gaming audiences
- Premium Statistic Number of video gamers worldwide 2019-2029
Number of video gamers worldwide 2019-2029
Number of video game users worldwide from 2019 to 2029 (in billions)
- Premium Statistic Number of video gamers worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
Number of video gamers worldwide 2019-2029, by segment
Number of video game users worldwide from 2019 to 2029, by segment (in billions)
- Basic Statistic Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by country
Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by country
Share of internet users worldwide who play video games on any device as of 1st quarter 2024, by region
- Basic Statistic Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by age and gender
Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by age and gender
Share of internet users worldwide who play video games on any device as of 1st quarter 2024, by age group and gender
User engagement
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- Premium Statistic Most popular video game genres worldwide Q1 2024, by age group
- Premium Statistic Most popular gaming genres according to video gamers worldwide 2024
- Basic Statistic Global PS4 and PS5 user engagement 2023
- Basic Statistic Daily time spent playing console games worldwide 2024, by country
- Basic Statistic Gamers who play video games to relieve stress and anxiety 2023, by country
- Basic Statistic Gamers who play video games to feel happier 2023, by country
- Premium Statistic Preferred pre-purchase video game research channels 2023, by region
User engagement
- Premium Statistic Most popular video game genres worldwide Q1 2024, by age group
Most popular video game genres worldwide Q1 2024, by age group
Most popular video game genres among internet users worldwide as of 1st quarter 2024, by age group
- Premium Statistic Most popular gaming genres according to video gamers worldwide 2024
Most popular gaming genres according to video gamers worldwide 2024
Share of video gamers worldwide who have played games in select gaming genres in the past 12 months as of 1st quarter 2024
- Basic Statistic Global PS4 and PS5 user engagement 2023
Global PS4 and PS5 user engagement 2023
User engagement of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 audiences worldwide as of March 2023
- Basic Statistic Daily time spent playing console games worldwide 2024, by country
Daily time spent playing console games worldwide 2024, by country
Average daily time spent playing video games via gaming console in selected countries and territories as of 1st quarter 2024 (in hours:minutes)
- Basic Statistic Gamers who play video games to relieve stress and anxiety 2023, by country
Gamers who play video games to relieve stress and anxiety 2023, by country
Share of gamers in select countries who play video games to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and loneliness in 2023
- Basic Statistic Gamers who play video games to feel happier 2023, by country
Gamers who play video games to feel happier 2023, by country
Share of gamers in select countries who play video games to feel happier and get through difficult times in life in 2023
- Premium Statistic Preferred pre-purchase video game research channels 2023, by region
Preferred pre-purchase video game research channels 2023, by region
Preferred way of researching new video games before purchase according to gamers in selected regions worldwide as of April 2023
Devices
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- Premium Statistic Leading devices used to play games worldwide Q1 2024
- Basic Statistic Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by age and gender
- Basic Statistic Global device usage for video games 2022, by country
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in the U.S. 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Canada 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Brazil 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Germany 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in the UK 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in China 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Japan 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in South Korea 2024
Devices
- Premium Statistic Leading devices used to play games worldwide Q1 2024
Leading devices used to play games worldwide Q1 2024
Share of internet users worldwide playing games on selected devices as of 1st quarter 2024
- Basic Statistic Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by age and gender
Global gaming penetration Q1 2024, by age and gender
Share of internet users worldwide who play video games on any device as of 1st quarter 2024, by age group and gender
- Basic Statistic Global device usage for video games 2022, by country
Global device usage for video games 2022, by country
Video gaming device usage in selected markets and regions as of August 2022
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in the U.S. 2024
Most used devices for video games in the U.S. 2024
Most used devices for video games in the U.S. as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Canada 2024
Most used devices for video games in Canada 2024
Most used devices for video games in Canada as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Brazil 2024
Most used devices for video games in Brazil 2024
Most used devices for video games in Brazil as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Germany 2024
Most used devices for video games in Germany 2024
Most used devices for video games in Germany as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in the UK 2024
Most used devices for video games in the UK 2024
Most used devices for video games in the UK as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in China 2024
Most used devices for video games in China 2024
Most used devices for video games in China as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in Japan 2024
Most used devices for video games in Japan 2024
Most used devices for video games in Japan as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Most used devices for video games in South Korea 2024
Most used devices for video games in South Korea 2024
Most used devices for video games in South Korea as of June 2024
Mobile gaming
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- Basic Statistic Mobile games with highest IAP revenue worldwide 2024
- Premium Statistic Most played mobile gaming genres worldwide 2023
- Basic Statistic Leading Android gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
- Premium Statistic Leading Android gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
- Basic Statistic Leading iPhone gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
- Premium Statistic Leading iPhone gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
- Premium Statistic Leading iPad gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
- Basic Statistic Leading iPad gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Mobile gaming
- Basic Statistic Mobile games with highest IAP revenue worldwide 2024
Mobile games with highest IAP revenue worldwide 2024
Highest grossing mobile games worldwide in 2024 YTD (in million U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Most played mobile gaming genres worldwide 2023
Most played mobile gaming genres worldwide 2023
Leading game genres for mobile players worldwide in 2023
- Basic Statistic Leading Android gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
Leading Android gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
Leading gaming apps in the Google Play Store worldwide in March 2024, by number of downloads (in millions)
- Premium Statistic Leading Android gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Leading Android gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Leading gaming apps in the Google Play Store worldwide in March 2024, by revenue (in million U.S. dollars)
- Basic Statistic Leading iPhone gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
Leading iPhone gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
Leading iPhone gaming apps in the Apple App Store worldwide in March 2024, by downloads (in millions)
- Premium Statistic Leading iPhone gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Leading iPhone gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Leading iPhone gaming apps in the Apple App Store worldwide in March 2024, by revenue (in million U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Leading iPad gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
Leading iPad gaming apps worldwide 2024, by downloads
Leading iPad gaming apps in the Apple App Store worldwide in March 2024, by downloads
- Basic Statistic Leading iPad gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Leading iPad gaming apps worldwide 2024, by revenue
Leading iPad gaming apps in the Apple App Store worldwide in March 2024, by revenue (in million U.S. dollars)
Gaming video content
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- Basic Statistic Leading games on streaming platforms 2024, by monthly hours watched
- Premium Statistic YouTube: most subscribed gaming channels 2024
- Basic Statistic Leading YouTube Gaming streamers 2024, based on hours watched
- Premium Statistic Top monthly games on Twitch 2024, by hours streamed
- Premium Statistic Leading games on Twitch 2024, by weekly hours viewed
- Premium Statistic Most popular Twitch streamers worldwide 2024, by average viewers
- Premium Statistic Total hours watched of most popular streamers on Twitch 2024
- Basic Statistic Leading video game award ceremonies 2024, by peak viewers
- Basic Statistic Most viewed gaming conferences worldwide 2023, by peak viewers
Gaming video content
- Basic Statistic Leading games on streaming platforms 2024, by monthly hours watched
Leading games on streaming platforms 2024, by monthly hours watched
Most popular video games watched on streaming platforms worldwide in June 2024, by live hours watched (in millions)
- Premium Statistic YouTube: most subscribed gaming channels 2024
YouTube: most subscribed gaming channels 2024
Most popular YouTube gaming channels as of August 2024, ranked by number of subscribers (in millions)
- Basic Statistic Leading YouTube Gaming streamers 2024, based on hours watched
Leading YouTube Gaming streamers 2024, based on hours watched
Leading YouTube Gaming streamers during June 2024, based on hours watched (in millions)
- Premium Statistic Top monthly games on Twitch 2024, by hours streamed
Top monthly games on Twitch 2024, by hours streamed
Most popular games on Twitch in June 2024, by hours streamed (in 1,000s)
- Premium Statistic Leading games on Twitch 2024, by weekly hours viewed
Leading games on Twitch 2024, by weekly hours viewed
Leading games on Twitch in August 2024, by weekly number of hours watched (in millions)
- Premium Statistic Most popular Twitch streamers worldwide 2024, by average viewers
Most popular Twitch streamers worldwide 2024, by average viewers
Most popular streamers on Twitch worldwide in May 2024, by average concurrent viewers
- Premium Statistic Total hours watched of most popular streamers on Twitch 2024
Total hours watched of most popular streamers on Twitch 2024
Most popular streamers on Twitch worldwide in May 2024, by total hours watched (in millions)
- Basic Statistic Leading video game award ceremonies 2024, by peak viewers
Leading video game award ceremonies 2024, by peak viewers
Most watched video game award ceremonies in 2024, by peak viewers
- Basic Statistic Most viewed gaming conferences worldwide 2023, by peak viewers
Most viewed gaming conferences worldwide 2023, by peak viewers
Most popular gaming conferences worldwide in June 2023, by peak viewers
Purchasing behavior & spending
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- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in the U.S. 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Canada 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Brazil 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Germany 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in the UK 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in China 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Japan 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in South Korea 2024
Purchasing behavior & spending
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in the U.S. 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in the U.S. 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in the U.S. as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Canada 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Canada 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Canada as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Brazil 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Brazil 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Brazil as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Germany 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Germany 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Germany as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in the UK 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in the UK 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in the UK as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in China 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in China 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in China as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in Japan 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Japan 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in Japan as of June 2024
- Premium Statistic Video game purchases by store brand in South Korea 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in South Korea 2024
Video game purchases by store brand in South Korea as of June 2024
eSports
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- Basic Statistic Size of global eSports market 2022-2032
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports tournaments worldwide 2024, by prize pool
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports games worldwide 2023 by tournament prize pool
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports players worldwide 2024, by overall earnings
- Premium Statistic Leading female eSports players worldwide 2024, by overall earnings
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports tournaments worldwide 2019-2023, by peak viewers
- Premium Statistic eSports disciplines by hours watched worldwide 2023
- Premium Statistic Most watched eSports organizations worldwide 2023
- Premium Statistic Time spent watching eSports worldwide 2020-2023
eSports
- Basic Statistic Size of global eSports market 2022-2032
Size of global eSports market 2022-2032
eSports market size worldwide in 2022 and 2023, with a forecast to 2032 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports tournaments worldwide 2024, by prize pool
Leading eSports tournaments worldwide 2024, by prize pool
Leading eSports tournaments worldwide as of May 2024, ranked by overall prize pool (in million U.S. dollars)
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports games worldwide 2023 by tournament prize pool
Leading eSports games worldwide 2023 by tournament prize pool
Leading eSports games worldwide in 2023, by cumulative tournament prize pool (in million U.S. dollars)
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports players worldwide 2024, by overall earnings
Leading eSports players worldwide 2024, by overall earnings
Leading eSports players worldwide as of February 2024, by overall earnings (in million U.S. dollars)
- Premium Statistic Leading female eSports players worldwide 2024, by overall earnings
Leading female eSports players worldwide 2024, by overall earnings
Leading female eSports players worldwide as of February 2024, by overall earnings (in 1,000 U.S. dollars)
- Basic Statistic Leading eSports tournaments worldwide 2019-2023, by peak viewers
Leading eSports tournaments worldwide 2019-2023, by peak viewers
Peak viewers of leading eSports tournaments worldwide as of December 2023 (in millions)
- Premium Statistic eSports disciplines by hours watched worldwide 2023
eSports disciplines by hours watched worldwide 2023
Most popular eSports games worldwide in 2023, by hours watched (in mllions)
- Premium Statistic Most watched eSports organizations worldwide 2023
Most watched eSports organizations worldwide 2023
Most watched eSports organizations worldwide in 2023, by total hours (in millions)
- Premium Statistic Time spent watching eSports worldwide 2020-2023
Time spent watching eSports worldwide 2020-2023
Total time spent watching eSports content worldwide from 2020 to 2023 (in billion hours)
