Forget Stereotypes: The Power of Play Report - Canada

The "Power of Play" report, released by the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), aims to challenge stereotypes about video gamers by highlighting the increasing diversity and evolving play habits of Canadian players. The report provides an overview of Canadian video game players compared to global peers across twelve countries, with data collected from 1,521 Canadian respondents aged 16 and older who play video games for at least one hour per week, as part of a larger survey of 24,216 active players globally.

Key findings indicate that the Canadian gaming community is highly diverse, with women constituting 51% of players nationally (53% in Quebec), slightly outnumbering men. Gaming enjoyment is evenly distributed across age groups, with 37% of players aged 35-54, 35% aged 55+, and 27% aged 16-34. Mobile devices have become the preferred gaming platform for 52% of players, significantly surpassing gaming consoles/VR (25%) and computers/laptops (22%).

Canadians show a strong preference for puzzle games (59%), which is notably higher than the global average of 50%, followed by action games (39%). Beyond entertainment, video games are recognized for their positive impact on mental wellness and social connection. A significant majority of Canadian players (68%) view video games as a healthy outlet for daily challenges, 70% report feeling happier, and 80% use them for stress relief. Furthermore, 57% of respondents stated that video games helped them through difficult times.

The report also emphasizes the social power of video games, with 74% of Canadian players believing games unite people from diverse backgrounds, and 62% agreeing they foster a strong sense of community. Video games are crucial for maintaining personal connections, as 51% use them to stay in touch with friends and family, and 43% have met a significant personal connection through gaming. The Canadian video game industry contributes $5.5 billion to Canada’s GDP.