Market (Overall)·Updated Jun 25, 2026 by Newzoo
Gaming has become the primary leisure activity for Gen Z and Millennials, who spend more time playing games than engaging with social media or streaming video content.
The 2021 survey of 72,068 respondents across 33 global markets confirms that the share of leisure time dedicated to gaming increases progressively with each younger generation.
Younger players are primarily motivated by competition, social interaction, and creative achievement, driving high engagement with multiplayer, sandbox, and social platforms like Fortnite and Roblox.
Older demographics, specifically Gen X and Baby Boomers, primarily utilize gaming for casual relaxation and show a distinct preference for single-player mobile experiences.
Younger consumers are driving the shift toward the metaverse by prioritizing avatar customization and content creation as core components of their digital identity.
While older gamers engage less with gaming-related video content, they utilize such media primarily for practical purposes, such as tutorials and reviews, to inform purchasing decisions.
Gaming has become the primary leisure activity for Gen Z and Millennials, who spend more time playing games than engaging with social media or streaming video content.
The 2021 survey of 72,068 respondents across 33 global markets confirms that the share of leisure time dedicated to gaming increases progressively with each younger generation.
Younger players are primarily motivated by competition, social interaction, and creative achievement, driving high engagement with multiplayer, sandbox, and social platforms like Fortnite and Roblox.
Older demographics, specifically Gen X and Baby Boomers, primarily utilize gaming for casual relaxation and show a distinct preference for single-player mobile experiences.
Younger consumers are driving the shift toward the metaverse by prioritizing avatar customization and content creation as core components of their digital identity.
While older gamers engage less with gaming-related video content, they utilize such media primarily for practical purposes, such as tutorials and reviews, to inform purchasing decisions.