July 15, 2020
By Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO, Entertainment Software Association
The release of the 2020 Essential Facts About the Video Game Industry comes amid a global pandemic that has required each of us to change how we interact with one another. Everyday greetings have given way to “social distancing” and “stay-at-home” orders. Yet, through it all, video games have become an important touchstone for keeping audiences around the world connected while staying at home. Now more than ever, it has become clear that video games impact people’s lives in meaningful ways beyond the intrinsic joy of playing.
Players of all ages and backgrounds embrace that power of play through video games. There are more than 214 million video game players across the United States, three quarters of all U.S. households have at least one person who plays video games, and 64 percent of U.S. adults and 70 percent of those under 18 regularly play video games. Large majorities of players say video games provide mental stimulation (80 percent) and relaxation (79 percent).
Video games help to connect us, and 65 percent of players say they play with others online or in person. More than half of parents (55 percent) say they play games with their children, and 92 percent pay attention to the games their child plays.
As the 2020 Essential Facts demonstrates, video games have become the leading form of entertainment because they bring us joy, connection and a sense of belonging when we need it most. Their value to society has never been more vital.
