Video Game Industry Statistics, Trends and Data In 2023
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The Video Gaming Industry was estimated to be worth $178.73 Billion in 2021, which is an increase of 14.4% from 2020.
This is a marked difference from what was predicted in 2016, forecasting a total worth of $90.07 Billion for the same period – a huge 76.8% difference between the two figures demonstrating that we could see a further acceleration in growth.
Previous forecasts were estimating the video gaming industry to be worth $268 Billion by 2025.
Gaming remains a mainstream hobby and the global pandemic only added to that fire. Since those dark days, global video game industry revenues were set to exceed 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. The rate at which we are seeing the gaming industry boom each year could mean the estimate above is actually pretty modest.
Asia leads the way in terms of the volume of gamers. In a recent study by DFC Intelligence in August 2021, they found that Asia accounted for 1.48 billion gamers out of a total of 3.2 billion gamers worldwide. Put another way 45% of gamers are based in Asia with gamers based in Europe taking place at 22% (or 715 million) of the total.
Sources: Statista, NewZoo, Juniper Research 2021, Statista / DFC Intelligence; 2021
Market Value
Value by Region
Growth in Gamers by Year
Gamers by Region
Global Games Market
0 Billion Players
2.9 Billion Players helped the Global Games Market Generate $178.37 Billion in 2021
Newzoo Insights 2021
Asia Pacific is estimated to reach
$ 0 Billion
in 2025
Asia Pacific currently holds the top spot for video game revenue. China is expected to reach 48,820M in 2021.
Statista, 2021
Tencent Reached
$ 0 Billion
in Revenue, 2021
Tencent reported a revenue growth of over 13% over the same quarter of 2020, reaching a revenue of $22 Billion in 2021.
Tencent & Statista, 2021
More than
0 %
of industry revenue comes from free-to-play games
More than 85% of total video game industry revenue comes from free-to-play games
Fortunly, 2020
There are more than
0 Billion
Gamers Worldwide
A recent study is forecasting more than 3.2 billion video gamers globally by 2023
Statista, 2021
The video games market is worth
$ 0 Billion
in 2021
The video games market is worth $178.37 Billion in 2021, up from $159.3 billion in 2020
Statista, 2021
COVID-19
We explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the gaming markets.
2021 Update
77 percent of mobile gamers from the United States who spent more time on mobile games since the COVID-19 outbreak reported that they were very or somewhat likely going to continue playing mobile games at the same rate once the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
2021 Update
Video gamers in the United States reported that they spent 45 percent more time playing video games amid the quarantine than in the previous week.
2021 Update
In a survey conducted by Forbes, half of the teachers in the UK and US turned to gaming to teach their students online during the pandemic (COVID-19), with a result of 91% claiming it helped.
2021 Update
The video game and eSports industries are two of the few sectors to experience a boom as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
2021 Update
Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 5 Million digital copies within a month, selling more in a month than any other console game in history.
2021 Update
63% increase in video game sales and a like-for-like increase of 44% due to people turning to video games during the pandemic.
2021 Update
Digital music, games and Video-on-Demand significantly benefited from the (COVID-19) lockdown, with game revenue rising by 12% post-lockdown.
Regions
This section explores all the top regional gaming statistics.
2021 Update
Global video game market value from 2020 to 2025, by region
2021 Update
The North American gaming market is predicted to estimate $80.9 Billion US dollars annually in 2025, up from the $56.8 Billion US dollars in 2021.
2021 Update
Currently, industry figures estimate that there are roughly 175 Million digital gamers in the US.
2021 Update
China ($40+ Billion revenue) ranks first for the Biggest Gaming Markets Worldwide, with the US ($36+ Billion revenue) coming in second.
2021 Update
A survey based on ‘How gamers and non-gamers describe video games’: Worldwide said “Fun” (49%). China said “Relaxing” (More than 50%) whilst “Addictive” stood at 37%.
2021 Update
In 2021, the UK was the biggest market among the EU 5 with revenues of $6.6 Billion.
2021 Update
Gaming accounts for 21% of our respondents’ entertainment leisure time in the U.S.—only slightly behind broadcast television.
2021 Update
The U.S. is one of the biggest games markets in the world. Last year, there were 190 million gamers in the U.S. who generated game revenues of $42.1 billion.
2020 Update
The number of gamers who say they are playing video games more now due to the COVID-19 pandemic increased between March 23 – June 3rd 2020 by 46% in the U.S., followed by 41% in France, 28% in the U.K. and 23% in Germany.
Nielsen, 2020
2020 Update
In 2018 an estimated 66% of the general population in the USA were gamers.
Nielsen, 2020
2020 Update
Japan’s market has more than 70 million gaming players. The value of the gaming market in Japan is expected to reach JPY 1.55 trillion in 2024 from JPY 1.4 trillion in 2017.
Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, 2020
DLC market
Over the last decade, we have seen a clear upwards trend in sales of DLC in video games.
In fact, the DLC market value increased by 121% between 2010 – 2017, and this trend is predicted to continue to rise.
This has been further illustrated by the ongoing rise of gamers putting money into microtransactions, with almost 50% of gamers having done this in 2021.
As the DLC market share rises, the package market falls alongside it; in 2011 it took a solid 80% of market share, falling to just 46% in 2017 and continuing to fall ever since.
Sources: Capcom, The ESA, Statista
2021 Update
With wide adoption of smartphones and mobile internet worldwide, global mobile gaming revenues nearly reached 74 billion U.S. dollars in 2020, with the F2P (free-to-play) PC games coming in second with 22.7 billion U.S. dollars
SuperData Research; Statista January 2021
2021 Update
The packaged market value in 2018 amounted to 10.9 billion U.S. dollars, down from 11.2 billion a year earlier. While the DLC Market is forecasted to be worth $52.2 Billion by 2023
2021 Update
Digital accounted for over 60 percent of the console gaming market worldwide in 2020. Total console gaming market sales amounted to 42.9 billion U.S. dollars with digital generating 30.3 billion U.S. dollars and packaged sales accumulating 12.6 billion U.S. dollars in revenues.
2021 Update
In 2021, global video game revenue is set to only grow by 0.9% compared to the previous year, and is predicted to decline in coming years. This decline is offset by the increase in DLC purchases.
2021 Update
CD Projekt generated the majority of revenue from digital sales at 91%. EA comes in second with 87.7%.
2021 Update
A survey in the 4th quarter of 2020 found that in-game currency for additional game content was the most popular type of DLC purchases.
2021 Update
A survey was done in the 4th quarter of 2020, 27 of console gamers who responded said they had purchased DLC for a game, whilst only 20 and 16 percent of PC and mobile gamers claimed the same.
2020 Update
- It is predicted that in 2020 $159.3 Billion will be spent on Games in 2020 and that the Market Will Surpass $200 Billion by 2023.
Newzoo, 2020
2020 Update
- Almost 50% of gamers have made at least one microtransaction in the past year
The Entertainment Software Association, 2020
2020 Update
- More than 85% of total video game industry revenue comes from free-to-play games
Fortunly, 2020
2020 Update
- 80% of the total digital games revenue came from free-to-play games in 2018
Superdata, 2019
2020 Update
- In 2018, the consumer (package + digital) market picked up, increasing to $29.9 billion (up 22.5% from 2017)
Capcom Annual Report, 2019
2018 Update
- The DLC market value increased by 121% in 7 years. (Capcom Annual Report, page 44, 2017)
2018 Update
- A 12.5% increase in PC and console additional game content revenue is expected in 2018 from 2015. (Digital River, 2017)
2018 Update
- A 20% increase in PC and console full game revenue is expected in 2018 from 2015. (Digital River, 2017)
2018 Update
- The package market took 80% of the market share in 2011 and decreased to 46% in 2017. (Capcom Annual Report, page 44, 2017)
2018 Update
- The DLC market took 20% of the market share in 2011 and increased to 54% in 2017. (Capcom Annual Report, page 44, 2017)
Platforms
PC is still the most popular platform for game developers with 56% developing games for the platform in 2020.
When it comes to consoles, Sony is still managing to beat Microsoft in terms of game development focus with 25% of developers focusing on the PS4 over 23% on the Xbox One.
This trend continues when we look at next-gen consoles with 11% working on PS5 games over 9% working on Xbox Series X.
Despite PC gaming coming top for developers, Mobile gaming is the most popular platform for users with 48% of players now regularly engaging in mobile gaming, and console gaming outperforming PC gaming in terms of the global games market.
Sources: NewZoo, GDC
2021 Update
Which platforms are game developers developing games for?
Statista, 2021
2021 Update
In a survey during early 2021, 21 percent of game developers reported that 100% of their revenue was generated via Steam.
2021 Update
In 2021 survey, 27% of the responding game developers worldwide said they were working on developing games for the Oculus Quest headset.
2021 Update
Early 2021, game developers focused solely on PC video game development, whilst mobile came second and third.
2021 Update
The game consoles computer graphics hardware was worth $12 Billion US dollars in 2020. The forecast suggests that it will rise to over $17 Billion US dollars by 2022.
2021 Update
“Console wars” was originally used to describe the rivalry between Nintendo and Sega between the 1980’s and 1990’s. Now, it refers to the rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox brands. Nintendo made it’s way back in the the equation with it’s hybrid console, Nintendo Switch.
2021 Update
The gaming platform Steam hit a record of 26.85 Million concurrent users in May 2021.
2020 Update
- Microsoft’s recent acquisition of ZeniMax was the second largest video games sector acquisition of all time
Statista, 2020
2020 Update
- When US gamers were asked which platform they preferred for gaming, it was found that 61% used their Smartphone, 52% used a dedicated console, and 49% took part in PC gaming
Statista, 2020
2020 Update
- People prefer to download a game (63.6%) rather than buy a physical copy (26%) globally
(Limelight, 2019)
2020 Update
- Female gamers are more likely to play games on mobile and tablet devices, whereas male gamers are more likely to play on computers and consoles
Limelight, 2019
2020 Update
- Sony Playstation has the highest percentage of the console gaming market with a share of 63.39%
Statcounter, 2020
2020 Update
- By 2022 the global game market will reach $196 billion, while the mobile gaming market will rise to $95.4 billion
Newzoo, 2020
2020 Update
- Console gaming just outperforms PC gaming in the global games market with console taking 28% of market share and PC gaming taking 23%
Newzoo, 2020
2020 Update
- Mobile gaming now has the biggest share of the market with 48% of players engaging in mobile gaming
Newzoo, 2020
2018 Update
- Online PC games is expected to take up 47% of the global PC and console gaming revenues in 2019. (DigiWorld, 2016)
2018 Update
- Smartphones and watches are expected to take up 34% of the worldwide revenue in 2019. (Newzoo, 2016)
2018 Update
- TV/Console/VR is expected to take up 26% of the games market worldwide revenue in 2019. (NewZoo, 2016)
2018 Update
- 76% of customers prefer to play games on mobile devices while 62% prefer playing on PC/Mac. (Applause , 2016)
2018 Update
- 40% of customers opt to play games on online/social platforms while only 29% prefer using console. (Applause , 2016)
2018 Update
- Smartphones and tablets are taking over the global games market, taking up 34% of the global games market share in 2015. (NewZoo, 2018)
2018 Update
- Smartphones and tablets are expected to still take over the global games market in 2020, with an increase of 17% from 2015. (NewZoo, 2018)
Best Games
If you’re looking for the best game ever made, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time still holds the title according to Metacritic having achieved a near-perfect score of 99/100, although Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2, GTA 5, and SoulCalibur all give it a run for its money. In 2020 Persona 5 Royal took the best game of year, with a 95/100.
When we look at a genre breakdown of video game sales, we can see that Action games hold the top spot with a 26.9% market share followed by Shooters at 20.9%, and Role-playing games at 11.3%.
When it comes to the best-selling games of all time, the Pokemon franchise is still ruling the charts with an impressive total sales figure in excess of $90 Billion. Everyone’s favorite plumber comes in second with a much lower $30.25 Billion followed by Call of Duty with $17 Billion.
Sources: TitleMax,Statista, ESA, Metacriti
2022 Update
Genre breakdown of video game sales in the US (2021)
Statista, ESA 2021
2022 Update
Biggest selling video game franchises of all time
Statista, 2021
2021 Update
Top games played in the U.S
According to the recent NewZoo Study looking into insights of U.S. gamers, they found the following franchises the most popular in the last six monhts:
- Candy Crush (39%)
- Call of Duty (36%)
- Mario (35%)
- Minecraft (32%)
- Fortnite (32%)
2018 Update
27.5% of video games sold in United States in 2016 were shooter games. (Entertainment Software Association, 2017)
2018 Update
52% of core PC gamers in China are playing PUBG. (Newzoo, 2018)
2021 Update
The most searched and favoured game on Youtube is Minecraft at 201 Billion views, Roblox is second with 75 Billion views.
2021 Update
Shooter and action adventure games were ranked as the top gaming genres of 2020 across all age groups.
2021 Update
The most searched games worldwide in 2021 were Fifa 22 and New World, measured by average monthly search volume.
2022 Update
As of December 2021, Tetris is the best-selling game franchise worldwide with 496.4 million unit sales worldwide.
2021 Update
GTA 5 was released in 2013 and stands as the best-selling game of all time on Xbox One, it was published by Rockstar and has sold over 8.7 million copies worldwide as of 2020.
2021 Update
With the huge success of the Nintendo Wii console, Wii Sports is the all-time best-selling console game.
2022 Update
Fortnite is the most-streamed game on Twitch with 4.66 million hours streamed as of January 2022
2022 Update
League of Legends is the most-watched game on Twitch with 42.55 billion viewers as of July 2021.
2020 Update
- 73.55% of gamers prefer single player games, 3.63% prefer Multiplayer games, and 22.82% like both equally.
Newzoo, 2020
2020 Update
- 73.55% of gamers prefer single player games, 3.63% prefer Multiplayer games, and 22.82% like both equally.
Newzoo, 2020
2020 Update
- 82% of global consumers played video games and watched video game content during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
Nielsen, 2020
2020 Update
- It is predicted that players will spend $4.5 billion on VR games by the end of 2020.
ResearchAndMarkets.com, 2020
2020 Update
- PUBG is the most played game on Steam with over 1 million players in 2019
Statista, 2020
2020 Update
- 26.9% of video games sold in the US in 2018 were Action games
Entertainment Software Association, 2019
2020 Update
- Fate/ Grand Order was the most talked about game on Twitter in 2019 with over 1.2 billion tweets mentioning the title
VideoGamesChronicle, 2020
2020 Update
- With a 95/100 Metacritic score, Persona 5 Royal is the best game of 2020 overall, and with 93/100 Half-Life: Alyx is the best PC game of 2020
Metacritic, 2020
2020 Update
- With a 99/100 Metacritic score according to critics, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best game ever
Metacritic, 2020
2018 Update
- With a 99/100 metacritic score according to critics, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the best game ever. (MetaCritic, 2017)
2018 Update
- 29% of core PC gamers in France are playing Fortnite. (Newzoo, 2018)
2018 Update
- Texas Holdem Poker has the most number of fans as of March 2018 with a count of 65.35 million fans. (Fan Page List, 2018)
2018 Update
- Call of Duty: World at War, Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Call of Duty Black Ops have a fan count of 24.37 million as of March 2018. (Fan Page List, 2018)
2018 Update
- Overwatch is the most talked about game in 2016 with 75,000 online articles mentioning the game. (Statista, 2017)
2018 Update
- With a metacritic score of 97/100, Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, is recognized as the best games of 2017 . (MetaCritic, 2017)
Companies
2021 Update
In the US, Microsoft dominated the Gaming Networks market with 50% of the market share in 2021.
2021 Update
In 2021, Netmarble had the biggest estimated 2021 Enterprise Value/EBITDA multiple with 25.0x, Ubisoft Entertainment had the lowest Enterprise Value to EBITDA multiple.
2021 Update
In 2020, Tencent’s most downloaded app was PUBG at an astonishing 223.31 Million downloads, Honor of Kings coming second with 24.92 Million downloads.
2021 Update
In 2021, Activision Blizzard has a net income of 639 Million US dollars and the company reported 2.07 Billion US dollars in revenue.
2021 Update
In 2020, Nintendo’s online revenue started to overtake their retail software revenue. By the end of March 2021, downloadable versions of packaged games accounted for 59.3% of Nintendo’s digital gaming sales.
2021 Update
In 2020, Tencent Holding’s online games grossed around 24 billion dollars. This was a vast increase compared to 2010 and made up 32% of the Chinese tech giant’s annual revenue.
2021 Update
Fifa is the top franchise published by the company Electronic Arts (EA). Fifa is published annually
2021 Update
Despite the PS5 being released in November 2020, software sales are predicted to take off from 2022, this is due to the lack of availability and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
2021 Update
Electronic Arts (US) is the leading gaming company worldwide by LTM EV/EBITDA
In 2021 they achieved 33.1x in the last twelve months.