Amateurs de jeux vidéo au Canada: Faits essentiels 2020

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Since the pandemic began, 58% of adult players and 80% of adolescent players report playing more.See it on page 3
02
Gaming during the lockdown was reported as beneficial for mental health by 57% of adult players and 65% of adolescent players.See it on page 11
03
Fewer than 2% of Canadians began playing video games for the first time during the lockdown, according to the survey.See it on page 9
04
In the 12-month period ending May 2020, 35% of adults and 29% of children and adolescents took part in esports.See it on page 26
05
Mobile devices are the device adults most often use to play video games, while children and adolescents most often use consoles.See it on page 23
06
Among parents of players aged 6 to 17, 78% say they consult ESRB ratings always or sometimes, with 42% doing so always.See it on page 22

Summary

The Entertainment Software Association of Canada published Amateurs de jeux vidéo au Canada 2020: Faits essentiels, based on surveys conducted by The NPD Group from 18 to 27 May 2020. The surveys took 15 minutes and targeted Canadians who had played video games in the previous four weeks. The final sample included 2,633 adults aged 18 to 64, 305 children aged 6 to 12 and 257 adolescents aged 13 to 17, with children and adolescents reached through surveys of parents. Results are weighted to Census of Canada targets.

The report states that 23 million Canadians play video games, and that 61% of Canadians do so, down from 64% in 2018 but up among those aged 18 to 34. Since the pandemic began, 58% of adult players and 80% of adolescent players say they play more, and 65% of adult players and 78% of adolescent players say playing at home helps them feel better. Fewer than 2% of Canadians started playing for the first time during the lockdown.

Among players, 57% of adults and 65% of adolescents say gaming during the lockdown benefited their mental health, while 43% of adults and 70% of adolescents say it helped them stay in touch with friends. Since the pandemic began, 44% of parents of children aged 6 to 17 report spending more time playing video games with their children.

Digital purchasing is growing, with 33% of adult players and 42% of adolescent players having downloaded full games. Esports participation reached 35% of adults and 29% of children and adolescents in the 12-month period ending May 2020. Overall, 74% of Canadians play alone, while 55% play with others.