The Gaming Industry: 2019

The global gaming landscape in 2019 generated significant revenue across multiple platforms, with mobile gaming leading the market at 54.9 billion dollars, followed by console games at 47.9 billion dollars and computer games at 32.2 billion dollars. Eastern European markets, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Poland, and Romania, contributed to this growth, representing a smaller but active segment of the global industry. Within Romania specifically, the gaming population reached 7.9 million individuals by 2020, characterized by a nearly equal gender split and an average age ranging between 35 and 39 years.

Player behavior reveals a preference for multi-device engagement, with the average user utilizing two to three platforms, primarily mobile and computer. While 45 percent of players purchase games, a majority still rely on torrent downloads. Among those who pay, online storefronts like Steam and the Epic Store are the preferred acquisition channels. Financial barriers remain the primary deterrent for non-paying users, as 45 percent cite high costs as the main reason for avoiding purchases. Despite these challenges, the industry maintains strong engagement, with 71 percent of players citing relaxation as their primary motivation for gaming, and 97 percent preferring to play within the home environment.

Genre preferences lean toward multiplayer experiences, which account for 53 percent of play, with adventure, strategy, and first-person shooters emerging as the most popular categories. Daily engagement is highest among mobile users at 45 percent, followed by computer and console players. Furthermore, the industry shows a high degree of parental involvement, as 59 percent of gaming parents utilize platform-based parental controls and 52 percent actively monitor game rating systems to ensure age-appropriate content. These findings underscore a mature, diverse, and highly engaged global gaming ecosystem that continues to balance traditional retail models with digital accessibility.