From new games to record-breaking sales, 2022 has been a big year for gamers worldwide. But which areas thrived the most? And what can we expect in the future?
With 2022 coming to a close, we’re taking a look back on the most impressive gaming statistics from the year. Data doesn’t lie, so let’s find out what really happened in the last year…
Scroll down to learn about some of the surprising trends and gaming statistics from 2022.
1. There are three billion gamers across the world
Yes, you read that right!
Around three billion people in the world relax and unwind with time spent gaming. From RPGs to first-person shooters, gaming is one of the most popular hobbies on planet Earth. As games and accessibility develop, this number is only set to grow.
Remember, gaming includes smartphone gaming, online casinos and console gaming, so it all counts!
2. Video game sales are nearly all online
This might not be the most surprising trend, but it’s interesting to note.
In 2022, 83% of all video game sales occurred online. Today, online shopping is part of life. From banking to food orders, nearly all daily transactions are cashless. But when you look back to the 1990s or 2000s, everything was processed via brick-and-mortar retail shops.
As this online boom has progressed, new payment methods have popped up, with leaders like Steam accepting a variety of card types and e-wallets. Online casinos are even more diverse, recognising that players are more inclined to play safely by the use of various e-wallet methods – according to Paygamble.com online casinos with PayPal are particularly sought after for their ease of use and trustworthiness.
We’ve come so far, but where will we go next? Tune in for next year’s report…
3. More males play video games, but the stats are more equal than you think
Thanks to approximated data, we can estimate the percentage of gamers from each sex. For 2022, the results show that males preferred to game more often than females, but the percentages might shock you.
Gamers are nearly evenly split, with 55% being male and about 45% being female. That’s right, it’s closer to 50/50 than many of us expected. Will we see females overtaking males in the next few years? It’s too soon to tell, but it’ll be an interesting demographic to monitor for sure.
4. Most gamers are between 18-34 years old
Another not-so-surprising stat, but still interesting, nonetheless.
The majority of gamers are between the ages of 18 to 34. This isn’t surprising as this generation has grown up with video games, and they’re all old enough to purchase them. Under 18-year-olds make up the second largest category with 20%, and this is followed by those aged 35 to 44 with 14%.
However, the average gaming age is 33 years old, proving that not all game-obsessed players are in their teens.
5. Most gaming occurs on smartphones
When you think of gaming, what comes to mind? Xbox consoles? PC gaming?
Most of us imagine professional gaming setups and well-known video game titles, but this isn’t what most gamers are actually using. 70% of all video gaming happens on smartphones, which provides a lower maintenance way to play.
Since most of the population owns a smartphone, it’s not actually a surprising statistic. From Candy Crush to Among Us, smartphone gaming has come a long way in the past decade, and it’s only set to continue growing.
6. US spending on video games decreased in 2022
In 2022, overall spending on gaming in the US decreased by 13%. This might seem incorrect but stay with us.
The gaming market is booming worldwide, so what’s the cause of the sudden decrease? The simple answer is that there were far fewer lockdowns.
As we’re back to open life, fewer non-gamers are delving into the video game world. This doesn’t mean the industry is crashing. It just means those that had extra time on their hands are now back to their usual hobbies.
7. Mobile gaming ad revenue increased
Finally, during 2022 there was a continued increase in revenue from in-game adverts. In fact, this revenue is set to hit around $7.9bn by 2024, proving the success of in-game ads.
More and more developers are offering free mobile gameplay, with the addition of adverts and marketing. This allows players to sample the game for free without committing to an upfront cost. However, players must put up with pesky adverts to enjoy the gameplay.
The takeaway
What did you think of these statistics? Did any of them surprise you? The gaming industry is one to watch. Innovation thrives here, and we’re excited to see how developers and player habits evolve over the next year.
