- Gaming
- Gaming Industry
63% of Americans believe games offer the most value for their money
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Är du ute efter nya Switch-spel? Här är våra favoriter just nu.
(Image credit: Shutterstock / Tinxi)
- Copy link
- X
- Threads
- A new Entertainment Software Association study found that most Americans think video games provide the most entertainment value for their money compared to other forms of entertainment
- 75% of parents are actively play video games each week, while 81% enjoy playing with their children
- The majority of players across all age groups are also spending money on in-game content
A new Entertainment Software Association (ESA) study has found that the majority of gamers in the United States prefer to spend their money on video games because they think they provide more entertainment value than other forms of media.
As detailed in its annual Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry report conducted in partnership with YouGov, video games are more popular than ever among most age groups.
According to the ESA, 67% of Americans between the ages of five and 90 are now playing video games one or more hours per week, which equates to 212.3 million. This is up by 3% (7.2million) compared to 2025, and split fairly equally between men and women, with 53% of men and 46% of women actively playing.
Latest Videos FromWatch full video here:
The latest stats show that parents actually like their children playing video games and enjoy gaming with them, with 75% actively playing video games each week, and 81% saying they also game with their children (52% at least weekly).
Nearly half (49%) of parents also believe that their children playing games teaches important skills, such as problem solving and creative thinking, while the majority of American adults recognize the positive benefits of play.
You may like-
Analysts say Xbox Game Pass price cut is 'not surprising at all' since Call of Duty's addition to the service 'did not lead to a significant increase in Xbox console sales or even subscriptions'
-
Battlefield 6 audio director explains there's 'a lot of demand' for high-quality soundtracks — 'We're following suit with the rest of the entertainment industries'
-
Fans react as Take-Two CEO speaks on GTA 6 price — 'I am perfectly fine with a $100 or more game'
85% find games to be fun, 78% say they offer stress relief, and 79% say they provide mental stimulation. Younger gamers in the Gen Z category (88%) also believe gaming brings people together and builds relationships (87%).
Gaming is a billion-dollar industry, and the cost of consoles and software has been increasing over the past few years, with most AAA first-party games now costing upwards of $80 to $90.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.However, according to the study, most Americans (63%) believe games offer the most value for their money compared to other forms of media like video streaming services for music, TV, movies, books, and magazines.
The majority of players across all age groups are also spending additional money on in-game content, with 69% of Gen Alpha, 78% of Gen Z, and 67% of Millennials typically spending $20 per month.
54% of parents are even purchasing in-game content for their children, although we don't know which games. 93% of them also said they require approval for in-game purchases made by their kids.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
The best gaming consolesAll the best consoles of this generation➡️ Read our full guide to the best gaming consoles1. Best overall:PlayStation 5 Slim2. Best budget:Xbox Series S3. Best handheld:Nintendo Switch 24. Most powerful:PlayStation 5 Pro
Demi WilliamsContributorDemi is a freelance games journalist who helps cover gaming news at TechRadar. She's been a games writer for five years and has written for outlets such as GameSpot, NME, and GamesRadar, covering news, features, and reviews. Outside of writing, she plays a lot of RPGs and talks far too much about Star Wars on X.
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Gaming
Analysts say Xbox Game Pass price cut is 'not surprising at all' since Call of Duty's addition to the service 'did not lead to a significant increase in Xbox console sales or even subscriptions'
Gaming
Battlefield 6 audio director explains there's 'a lot of demand' for high-quality soundtracks — 'We're following suit with the rest of the entertainment industries'
Gaming Industry
Fans react as Take-Two CEO speaks on GTA 6 price — 'I am perfectly fine with a $100 or more game'
Consoles & PC
Best gaming console in 2026: we've ranked top picks for pro gamers, retro fanatics, and family gatherings
Pro
How to monitor your child's gaming habits
Gaming
Fallout co-creator says players nowadays are 'handed an opinion from the online channel they’re watching' — 'They find someone they just like, and then that person’s opinion becomes their opinion'
Latest in Gaming Industry
Gaming Industry
Former Xbox exec says recent rebrand 'is smarter than it looks'
Gaming Industry
Arkane devs say the studio almost made Thief 4 and a Blade Runner game before it made Dishonored — 'We were both so excited. Blade Runner and Thief, two of our favourite things of all time'
Gaming Industry
'ChatGPT kind of sucked' — Former Assassin's Creed director says he used AI to help him learn to code, but it was 'brutal'
Gaming Industry
'It’s all shaping up to be a wonderfully daring adventure, with plenty of surprises in store' — The 2026 Future Games Show Summer Showcase has found its hosts in The Last of Us actor Troy Baker and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis' Alix Wilton Regan
Pro
How Nex's kid-friendly console aims to be ahead of the UK's Online Safety Act
Gaming Industry
'We are back!' — PC Gaming Show announces its four hosts for the annual showcase airing next month
Latest in News
VPN Privacy & Security
Japan is considering stronger age restrictions for social media use — but public response to the move hasn't been as positive as hoped
VPN Services
Microsoft Edge and Aloha caught sharing precise user location data with third parties
Gaming Industry
Former Xbox exec says recent rebrand 'is smarter than it looks'
Pro
UK regulator mandates that Google should let publishers opt out of AI search
Pro
AI is the top investment area for 3 out of 4 insurance CEOs
Tech
Watch out Dolby: Apple and Google have a new custom version of HDR10+
LATEST ARTICLES- 1'You can no longer do things at human scale': Cisco releases AI agent botnet that works on behalf of your business
- 2Forget Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey — I’ve played Onimusha's sword-fighting State of Play demo, and I think it could be the sleeper hit of 2026
- 3Samsung doesn't fear an iPhone Ultra — here's why I think it's right not to
- 4How to watch Netherlands vs Algeria: Free Streams & TV Channels for World Cup 2026 warm-up match
- 5Japan is considering stronger age restrictions for social media use — but public response to the move hasn't been as positive as hoped