ReportCircana
U.S. Gamer Segmentation 2024 Edition
1 Aug 202423 pages~15 min full read
The U.S. gaming population stands at 236.4 million people, representing 71% of the population, which is a slight decline from the 2020 peak of 74% but remains above 2018 levels.
Average weekly engagement has increased to 14.5 hours, up 1.8 hours since 2022, while average spending over a six-month period has risen to $56.20.
The market is shifting toward more dedicated segments, with a migration away from casual 'Incidental Players' and 'Daily Dabblers' toward 'Super Gamers' and 'Transitionals'.
Mobile remains the dominant platform with 65% reach, while console gaming has experienced the most significant growth in weekly time investment.
PC gaming reach has declined by 4% since 2022.
Super Gamers, primarily males aged 18 to 34, represent the most valuable demographic due to their multi-platform usage and high engagement with streaming and esports.
This analysis of the 2024 U.S. video gaming market identifies a resilient landscape where 71% of the population, or approximately 236.4 million people, engage with games. While this reflects a slight decline from the 74% peak seen in 2020, it remains significantly higher than the 67% recorded in 2018. The study utilizes a survey of 5,100 active gamers aged two and older, conducted between May and June 2024, to categorize the audience into six distinct behavioral segments: Super Gamers, Console Warriors, Transitionals, Easy Accessors, Daily Dabblers, and Incidental Players.
A primary finding is that while the total player count has dipped slightly, engagement and monetization are increasing. Gamers now spend an average of 14.5 hours per week playing, an increase of 1.8 hours since 2022. Spending has also risen to an average of $56.20 over a six-month period. Mobile remains the most pervasive platform, used by 65% of the total population, while console gaming has seen the most significant growth in weekly time investment. Conversely, PC gaming saw a 4% decline in reach since 2022.
The market is shifting toward more dedicated segments. There has been a notable decrease in casual "Incidental Players" and "Daily Dabblers," with a corresponding migration toward "Super Gamers" and "Transitionals." Super Gamers represent the most valuable demographic, typically consisting of males aged 18 to 34 who play across multiple platforms and engage deeply with gaming culture, including streaming and esports. Although teens and young adults remain the most valuable segments in terms of time and spend, the report notes that player investment is rising across nearly all age groups despite the overall contraction in the total number of gamers.
