A new study has shown in numbers what we've already discovered anecdotally--gaming has surged in popularity in the last few years, and even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The report by The NPD Group shows not only that more people in the United States are gaming since 2018, they're also playing more often, and across more different platforms.
As of 2020, three out of every four Americans play video games, according to the survey, an increase of 32 million people since 2018. They’re also spending more time playing--the category of gamers playing less than five hours a week decreased 8% since 2018 to a total of 39%, while gamers playing 5-15 hours increased 2% to 32% total, and those playing over 15 hours per week increased 6% to make up 20% of players in the US. The number of gamers using more than one device increased from 59% in 2018 to 65% in 2020.
The latest survey taking place in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the report also collected data on how the pandemic has changed the way we play. Unsurprisingly, 35% of gamers reported that they were playing games more often due to the lockdown. Six percent of gamers said that they started using a new device that meant buying a console or taking up gaming on a phone or computer they already owned--due to the COVID-19 lockdown. After the lockdown created a complete shortage of Nintendo Switches.
As of 2020, three out of every four Americans play video games, according to the survey, an increase of 32 million people since 2018. They’re also spending more time playing--the category of gamers playing less than five hours a week decreased 8% since 2018 to a total of 39%, while gamers playing 5-15 hours increased 2% to 32% total, and those playing over 15 hours per week increased 6% to make up 20% of players in the US. The number of gamers using more than one device increased from 59% in 2018 to 65% in 2020.
The latest survey taking place in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the report also collected data on how the pandemic has changed the way we play. Unsurprisingly, 35% of gamers reported that they were playing games more often due to the lockdown. Six percent of gamers said that they started using a new device that meant buying a console or taking up gaming on a phone or computer they already owned--due to the COVID-19 lockdown. After the lockdown created a complete shortage of Nintendo Switches.
