One of the entertainment channels where the highest increase was experienced during the long quarantine periods that came with the pandemic was naturally video games. Today, quarantines have been lifted (for now) and people can go out more comfortably than before.
But it seems that video games continue to occupy people’s time more than ever.
Older people play more games than younger people
According to the ‘2021 Evolution of Entertainment’ report by NPD Group, a market research company, there was a significant increase in the time spent playing games in 2020 compared to 2019. With this increase, the average weekly game hours increased from 12.7 in the USA to 14.8.
Yes, this is a very understandable increase when we consider that a very large part of the population is locked in their homes due to the pandemic; but the most interesting thing is exactly at this point. As of 2021, this weekly average of 14.8 hours of play has increased to an average of 16.5 hours per week, although we are more free to go out. What is even more strange is that this increase occurred not in the 18-34 age group, but in the more mature 45-64 age group.
Video games appeal to gamers of all ages, not just teenagers
The NPD said in the report, “In 2019, 65% of consumers in this age group played around 9 hours a week. This jumped significantly in 2020 to 69% playing around 12 hours a week, and this year % with around 16 hours of gaming. It has increased to 75”, emphasizing the increase experienced. But entertainment isn’t the only factor that connects older players to games, according to the NPD.
Mat Piscatella, an analyst at the firm, said: “Despite the overall decline in the share of gamers in the market, the time spent playing games for 45-64 year olds continued to increase. Clearly, play is not a segment of children and youth; A segment that appeals to players of all ages. ‘ he said.
In addition to all this, the NPD announced that the percentage of total Americans playing video games in 2021 has decreased from 79% in 2020 to 76%.