ESA Says 212 Million Americans Played Games in 2025

More than 212 million Americans ages 5 to 90 played video games in 2025, according to the Entertainment Software Association’s 2026 Essential Facts report. The survey, conducted by YouGov from February 11 to 25, 2026, included 13,545 respondents, with most of them playing at least one hour per week.

The ESA says the average U.S. player is 37 years old, and half of all players are 35 or older. The report also found that 83% of U.S. households used at least one gaming device last year, with players spending an average of 12 hours a week on games.

Mobile remains the biggest platform by reach. The report says 73% of households and 80% of players ages 8 and up used mobile devices for games, while nearly a third of players only play on mobile. PC was used by 52% of players, consoles by 44%, and VR devices by 10%.

Spending habits were more split. In the past year, 58% of players downloaded a free game, while 43% bought a game. Among younger players, in-game purchases were common, with 69% of Gen Alpha, 78% of Gen Z, and 67% of Millennials buying in-game content. Average monthly spending on that content was $20.

The report also leans into how families use games. ESA says 75% of parents play weekly, and 81% of those parents enjoy playing with their children. Parents reported that games make up about a quarter of their children’s weekly screen time, and most said they’d rather their kids spend time playing games than using social media.

As usual with industry-backed surveys, the report also highlights positive attitudes toward games. Among adults surveyed, 85% cited fun, 79% cited mental stimulation, and 78% cited stress relief as benefits of playing. Most adults also agreed games can help build problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills.