US Gamers by Generation 2025

Gen Zers and Millennials Are Making Digital Gaming a Lifelong Habit

Report by Paola Flores-Marquez  | Feb 10, 2025
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Executive Summary
More than half of the US population will be digital gamers in 2025
What does this mean for advertisers?
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
Digital gaming is popular across generations. But Gen Zers and millennials are more likely to game on multiple platforms, seek community around the hobby, and pass the habit on to their children.
Topics
Video Games
Generation Z
Time Spent with Media
United States
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
More than half of the US population will be digital gamers in 2025
What does this mean for advertisers?
Sources
Media Gallery

More than half of the US population are digital gamers, but not all identify with the term. As smartphones continue to make gaming more accessible and younger generations (particularly Gen Zers) hit new adoption milestones, it may be time to redefine the popular concept of a “gamer.”

Key Question: How do digital gaming preferences and habits differ across generations?

Almost Three-Quarters of Gen Zers Will Be Digital Gamers by 2027 (US digital gamers % of population, by generation, 2019-2027)
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Key Stat: Gen Z has the highest rate of digital gaming penetration, and we expect nearly 75% of Gen Zers to engage in some form of digital gaming by 2027. This is driven by a desire for social connection, entertainment, and competition.

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Table of Contents

  1. Executive Summary
  2. More than half of the US population will be digital gamers in 2025
  1. What does this mean for advertisers?
  2. Sources
  1. Media Gallery

Charts in This Report

Almost Three-Quarters of Gen Zers Will Be Digital Gamers by 2027 (US digital gamers % of population, by generation, 2019-2027)Mobile Will Remain the Most Used Gaming Device Through 2025 (average minutes spent per day with digital gaming by US adult digital gamers, by device, 2017-2025)
Growth in the Number of Gamers Ages 50 and Older Led the Average Age of Gamers to Rise by 7 Years (% of total US digital gamers, by age, 2004 & 2023)Gen Zers Are Most Likely to Self-Identify as Gamers (% of US consumers, by generation, May 2024)
Self-Identified Gamers Are Over Twice as Likely to Use Discord and 3 Times as Likely to Use Twitch (Discord and Twitch users as a % of US teen video game players, by gaming usage, Oct 2023)Millennials Turn to the Newest, Priciest Gaming Consoles for Regular Play (% of US gamers, by generation and console, April 2024)
Gamers Under 18 Cite Their Parents as the Reason They Started Playing Video Games (% of US gamers, by age, Oct 2023)Baby Boomers Are the Only Generation Where Female Gamers Outnumber Male Gamers (% of US gamers who play 1+ hours per week, by demographic, Oct 2023)

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authors

Paola Flores-Marquez

Contributors

Nicolas Crespo
Suzy Davidkhanian
VP, Content
Vladimir de Leon
Chart Editor
Donte Gibson
Senior Charts Editor
Jennifer Pearson
VP, Research
Heather Sprung
Senior Editor
Sakina Thanawala
Copy Editor
Yoram Wurmser
Principal Analyst