According to an NPD survey, 240 million Americans (about 3 out of every 4) are now playing video games. This is an increase of a whopping 32 million since 2018, and analysts assume that the Covid-19 pandemic is the cause behind the spike.
The NPD study also shows an increase in multi-device usage. 65% of gamers now use more than one device compared to 59% in 2018. The increase in console sales throughout the past six months help to validate this statistic. Not only are more people playing games – gamers now spend more time playing games. Gamers now average 14 hours of playing time per week, a two-hour increase from 2018. People who play less than five hours a week have decreased by 8%, while people who play more than 15 hours per week have increased by 6%.
According to U.S. video game analyst Matt Piscatella, “The growth in both the number of players across all gaming segments, as well as time spent gaming or watching gaming-related content, reflects the variety and depth of gaming experiences available regardless of device preferences, gaming interests or budget.” Unsurprisingly, gaming has become one of the primary mediums that society has used to stay connected during the crisis.
As Sony and Microsoft prepare for the release of their new consoles, one can assume both companies hope that the increase in gamers will result in higher sales. Games like The Last of Us: Part II and Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold more than expected, partially due to the fact that people have been locked at home for months. Both platforms are launching with major titles, Halo: Infinite and Spiderman: Miles Morales, this fall. With research showing that more people are purchasing and playing games, this may result in both titles, along with the new consoles, exceeding sales expectations.
A counter to this is the fact that many of these Americans may not be able to afford the new consoles, with the prices being rumored at around $500 USD. Also, with many live-service games like Fortnite announcing cross-platform play with current generation consoles, players may feel unmotivated to buy next-gen. Regardless of what happens in the future, fans are currently supporting and playing the games they love now more than ever.
Sources: NPD
