Gaming Statistics 2024: What You Need to Know

The name that pops up when searching for the highest-grossing entertainment industry is Gaming. This industry has seen an astonishing growth pace in recent years (the pandemic being the catalyst) and is suspected to see exponential growth in the coming years with a growing base of loyal gamers around the world and their passion for streaming their epic gameplay on social media platforms.

There’s no denying, it’s a profit powerhouse!

Furthermore, the competition amongst the gaming platforms is only making it more exciting for gamers as they get to experience some of the most exciting and thrilling gaming experiences, visuals, and gameplay of all time.

But before jumping into the decision of making the game development your potential revenue source, it is essential to get an overview of where the gaming industry stands and what the future projections look like. And the best way to do it is by getting an overview of insightful statistics and game development trends.

For starters, the gaming industry is foreseen to sustain its impressive momentum and could be worth $321 billion by 2026, as outlined in a recent report by PwC.

Now, let us have a look at key statistics across various facets of the gaming industry.

Current State of the Gaming Industry

From improvements in graphics, sounds, gameplay, game art, game concepts, and more, the gaming industry is transforming at an unprecedented pace and has come a long way since the late 1970s. The game design and development have also transitioned substantially with the introduction of top-notch game engines, generative AI tools, and splendid tech stacks that can turn impossible game ideas into reality.

The following current game market statistics would enable you to have a better idea of how this transformation is becoming lucrative for the game industry and businesses.

Statistics by Countries

From identifying market size/potential to target your marketing efforts to the right audience, identifying competition, optimizing marketing and distribution strategies, and more, knowing the insights into the popularity of gaming across different countries would enable the game development businesses to gain valuable insights which are essential to make data-backed decisions.

Here are some interesting stats country-wise gaming statistics:

*Dot size represents revenue in US$bn

• According to the Entertainment and Media (E&W) outlook by PWC, the largest market throughout the forecast period will continue to be the US, where revenue may grow to US$692 billion in 2027. 
• As mentioned in EnterpriseAppsToday, by the end of 2025, the leading countries of online video gaming platforms are supposed to be China, Japan, and South Korea.
• According to Statista’s industry overview, as of 2022, it is estimated that the United States ranks first among the biggest gaming markets worldwide, with a revenue of 54.9 billion U.S. dollars. The video gaming market in China ranked second, generating approximately 44 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenues.

Statistics by Gaming Platforms

From the immersive worlds of consoles to the universal accessibility of mobile devices, each platform caters to unique player preferences and offers distinct advantages. When developing a game, one of the pivotal decisions for business leaders is selecting the platform for its deployment.  A choice of platform would have a prominent impact on the revenue that the game would generate upon development.

Here are some game market statistics based on a platform that would enable you to get insights into the highest-grossing gaming platform:

• In 2022, mobile remained the biggest gaming segment worldwide followed by the console segment ranked second, and PC gaming ranked last as clearly visible in the chart by Statista on gaming revenue by segment.
• Here’s a breakdown of the global gaming market revenue by segment in 2022:
  • Mobile Gaming: $91.8 billion 
  • Console Gaming: $52.2 billion 
  • PC Gaming: $36.5 billion

• 57% of total video gaming revenue comes from mobile games
• 85% of all gaming revenue comes from free-to-play games.

• Further, the following graph shows the platform-wise segregation of upcoming new video games from late 2022 to 2024.

• In consideration of online gaming industry statistics, the ‘Online Games‘ segment of the digital media market is expected to gain global revenue by eight billion U.S. dollars between 2023 and 2028 to reach 34.11 billion U.S. dollars in 2028.

Game Genre-wise Statistics

Not every game genre would be grossing the same or generate substantial revenue. This is the pivotal reason why knowing the video game market statistics genre-wise is essential. Apart from it opting for the good-grossing game genre would open a successful revenue generation opportunity along with leveraging the trending genre preference of the global gamers.

Here are some game stats based on genre:

• A Statista survey of gamers in the United States revealed that a majority, 65%, play puzzle games regularly, while a significant portion, 43%, also enjoy action games.

Video Game Industry Demographics

Understanding gaming demographics is crucial for various stakeholders in the gaming industry as it provides valuable insights into the composition, preferences, and behaviors of the target gaming audience. In a nutshell, it is highly instrumental in shaping the industry’s strategies to ensure gaming success.

Here are key reasons highlighting the importance of gaming demographics:

• Based on ethnicity, comprising 10% of the population, the second-largest ethnic group is Hispanic, followed by 8% identifying as African American, 7% as Asian or Pacific Islanders, and 3% representing other ethnicities.

• Gone are the days when video gaming was perceived as a pastime limited to the younger generation. According to a 2022 Statista survey, 36% of video game enthusiasts belong to the 18 to 34 age demographic, showcasing that gaming continues to be a vibrant interest for young adults.
• Furthermore, 6% of gamers are now 65 years and older, emphasizing the diverse and inclusive nature of the gaming community.

• Based on gender, as mentioned in an industry overview by Statista, 46 percent of gamers in the United States as of 2023.

Understanding the Numbers of Game Addiction

Gaming brings excitement, and a sense of accomplishment to the players but it has the potential to captivate our attention beyond healthy limits. Apart from the impact on academic performance amongst kids to physical, mental, and even financial impacts among adults, game addiction can have severe consequences.

Here are some eye-opening statistics about game addiction:

• Role-playing games (RPGs) are considered the most addictive video game genre as mentioned in Mainspring Recovery‘s Video Game Addiction Statistics for most addictive games.
• Video game addiction is more common among males than females, with a ratio of 6:1.
• According to video game statistics by MPower, there are around 60 million people who currently have gaming disorders.

Statistical Highlights of 2023’s Best Games

From epic adventures to competitive showdowns, the gaming world showcased an impressive array of games, each leaving its mark on the players worldwide. 

Here are some of the most played games that were successful in captivating audiences, breaking records, and shaping the future of interactive entertainment.

As mobile games have topped the charts with mobile platforms being the player’s favorite to experience their gameplay, the above game stats by Statista lists some of the game apps with the maximum number of downloads in the Google Play Store.

However in terms of the highest-grossing gaming app in the Google Play Store, Coin Master tops the chart with 25.26 million U.S. dollars in revenues from Android users followed by Roblox with approximately 22.34 million U.S. dollars in revenue.

Apart from the Google Play Store stats, Apple spotlights the top apps and games of 2023 on the App Store, here are some of the most downloaded game stats on the App Store in the US:

• Top Free iPhone Games: MONOPOLY GO!, Roblox, Royal Match
• Top Paid iPhone Games: Minecraft, Heads Up!, Geometry Dash
• Top Free iPad Games: Roblox, Magic Tiles 3: Piano Game, Subway Surfers
• Top Paid iPad Games: Minecraft, Geometry Dash, Bloons TD 6
• Top Apple Arcade Games: NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition, Cooking Mama: Cuisine!, Bloons TD 6+

Though mobile games have gained tremendous popularity, in the ActivePlayer.io Game Statistics Authority’s list of most popular games for PC, Fortnite tops the list with 30 million monthly active users(MAUs) followed by Minecraft and Roblox with 1.1 million and 20 million MAUs respectively. 

Esports: A Comprehensive Statistical Overview

In recent years, there has been a boost in eSports, the reasons are many including increased use of social media sites(YouTube Gaming, Twitch, etc.), online streaming platforms, increasing global viewership, brands investing in eSports marketing, and more. Though it is a subset of the gaming industry it differs from the rest as its revenue is majorly focused on viewership and advertisement.

Here are some perceptive data showcasing its remarkable growth and influence in eSports:

As the above statistics by Statista show, the previously valued (in 2022) 1.38 billion U.S. dollars global eSports market is forecast to grow to as much as 1.87 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.

The cumulative prize pool for DOTA 2 eSports tournaments worldwide amounted to over 300 million U.S. dollars as of September 2023 making it one of the leading DOTA 2 eSports tournaments in The International.

Whether it is revenue generation or prestige, eSports is showing promising gaming statistics making it a viable choice for gaming business owners seeking not only financial success but also a dynamic and growing market in the gaming industry.

Key Statistics in Game Development

Apart from the decision to opt for game development as a revenue generation opportunity, various aspects of game development itself like the game engine, gaming tech, and more would contribute to making the decision. 

Here are some game stats related to game development technology:

• In terms of game engines, Unity remains the game engine of choice with 61% of developers surveyed using it, with a 30.03% market share in the Game Development category. 
• As AR & VR in gaming is transforming gameplay experience, in relation to a report by Grand View Research, the global virtual reality gaming market size was valued at USD 20.73 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.7% from 2023 to 2030.
• Another technology that is increasing in use in the gaming industry is blockchain. According to MarketsandMarkets, the Blockchain market size is projected to hit the revenue record of $65.7 billion by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 70.3% in the period of 2022-27. 
• Even the global wearable gaming technology market is likely to surpass US$ 76,421 million by 2032 with a CAGR of 14.6% during the forecast period of 2022-32 as mentioned in the Future Market Insights.
• The Generative AI in the gaming market was valued at USD 1117.8 Million in 2023 & is projected to grow to $ 6943.7 Million at a CAGR of 22.5% by 2032 with a CAGR of 22.5% in the forecast period(2023-32).  

Elevate Your Game Development Dreams with 300Mind

When it comes to transforming your game ideas into a captivating reality, 300Mind stands out as a premier choice in the realm of game art design and development. As a leading game art design and development company, we specialize in delivering top-notch services of Game Art Design, Game Animation, and Game Development.

With a dedicated team of skilled professionals who take pride in turning your creative visions into immersive gaming experiences. What sets us apart is not just our expertise but also the flexibility we offer – you have the option to hire designers and developers directly from our talented pool of individuals.

Whether you’re envisioning visually stunning game art, seamless animations, or robust game development, 300Mind is your trusted partner in bringing unparalleled creativity and technical prowess to your gaming endeavors. Schedule a call, and let’s embark on a journey to make your gaming ideas a resounding success.

FAQs on Gaming Statistics

WRITTEN BY Asha Rajput

Asha Rajput is the founder and CEO of 300Mind, a creative Game design and development studio. Her 10+ years of experience enables her to provide game art design and development services to various clients from across the world.