Essential Facts 2022: Canada

Essential Facts 2022: Canada was published in November 2022 by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ALD). NPD Group conducted the annual research in May 2022 using an online methodology. Surveys of 15 minutes covered Canadians who played any video game on a required device in the past four weeks. The sample comprised 2,575 adults aged 18 to 64, 296 children aged 6 to 12, and 220 adolescents aged 13 to 17, with the younger groups surveyed through representative proxy samples of mothers. Data were weighted to Census of Canada targets for sex, age, income, region and household size.

The study reports that 53% of Canadians play video games regularly, averaging 7.9 hours per week. Of players, 35% said they spent more time playing this year than last year, and players are split 51% women and 49% men. Adult players averaged 7.8 hours per week, down from 9.0 in 2020, while children and adolescents averaged 7.9 hours, down from 13 in 2020.

The report finds that 49% of adult players and 70% of children play regularly with other people. Of parents who play, 74% say they play with their children, an increase of 9% over two years. Among players, 85% say video games reduce stress and 84% say they bring joy.

In the past year, 36% of adult players and 28% of adolescent players took part in esports activities. Among parent users, 40% say they always check the rating on a game box, and 37% say they sometimes do.

The authors conclude that Canadians increasingly use video games to connect, forming friendships and relationships on gaming platforms.