U.S. Consumer Video Game Spending Totaled $60.4 Billion in 2021

U.S. consumer spending on video games reached $60.4 billion in 2021, an 8 percent increase over 2020's $56.1 billion, according to data released in January 2022 by the Entertainment Software Association and The NPD Group. The figure spans all content categories, including full-game, post-launch and subscription spending across console, cloud, mobile, portable, PC and VR platforms, along with hardware and accessories. The release frames the results as evidence of sustained, broad-based engagement across ages and demographics.

Content spending accounted for $51.7 billion, up 7 percent. Hardware rose 14 percent to $6.1 billion, while accessories grew 2 percent to $2.7 billion. Gains were seen in console and PC subscriptions, digital post-launch content across console, PC and VR, and hardware. NPD's analyst noted that PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles remained hard to find throughout their first full year on the market because of strong demand, while Nintendo Switch, PC and Quest 2 also posted strong sales and engagement.

Mobile data from Sensor Tower showed U.S. mobile game spending climbed 14 percent, sustaining pandemic-era momentum. December 2021 was the best December on record and the third-largest month for spending in three years, despite concerns over reduced attribution data. Sensor Tower expects continued growth in 2022, driven by console cross-play and high-spec mobile versions of console franchises.

The release also ranks the top 20 U.S. titles of 2021. Call of Duty: Vanguard led full-game PC and console sales, followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Madden NFL 22, though some Nintendo and other titles exclude digital sales. In mobile, Candy Crush Saga topped the grossing chart, ahead of Roblox, Coin Master, Garena Free Fire and Pokémon GO.