The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has released their 2025 Global Power of Play report. The report is based on a survey of over 20,000 active players in over 20 countries about how gaming affects their emotional state, skills, education, relationships, and more.
The survey focused on gamers age 16 and above, revealing the average age of surveyed active players is 41.
Hey, it’s me, I’m the average age gamer!
Not super surprising, as Millennials grew up alongside PC and console gaming over the last several decades. That being said, over half the active players primarily play on mobile devices.
Gamers are equal parts men and women, though it can vary per country, including some countries where more women play than men.
The top three reasons people play video games is to have fun, relieve stress, and keep their minds sharp. Many players cite gaming as a way to reduce anxiety and ease loneliness by connecting with others online.
Half of all surveyed players confirm that gaming has enhanced their education and/or careers through technical and behavioral skills.
A little more than half report that playing video games has positively impacted their relationships with their children
Note that “active players” in the survey only means playing at least one hour per week, which seems hilariously low to me.
“As one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, video games are a source of fun and entertainment for billions of players around the world. What the 2025 Global Power of Play report confirms, however, is that video games are much more than that,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO, ESA. “Proven by both academic research and one of the largest consumer surveys ever conducted of video game players, games bring immense value to our lives, provide border-less avenues for connection and improve our mental and social well-being.”
The previous ESA report released earlier this year, Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry 2025, and focused solely on US players.
