Online Gaming 2022- US Trends and Forecast

The online gaming industry is a vast one. Everything from Candy Crush Saga to World of Warcraft to Minecraft is included under that umbrella. In 2021 the world of online gamers was 3.24 billion strong, and that number is only going to grow, not diminish. To some people, the online gaming umbrella extends to include online casinos like BetMGM; here, you can play live and online blackjack, slots, and more, but for the purposes of our trend forecast, we’ll focus only on online gaming, not including the gambling industry.

Over the last few years, while stay-at-home orders have been in effect, the online gaming industry has gained significant popularity and kept many people mentally stimulated and visually enthralled during trying times. Now that these orders are being phased out, will the industry be affected? Join us to find out as we unpack the trends and forecasts for this year and further.

Gamer Statistics

While growth will continue through 2022 and into 2023, the growth rate will peter out significantly. So far, in 2022, a 1.1% growth rate has been recorded, and the prediction for 2023 is 0.9%. The expected numbers are as follows:

• 2022- 179.6 million gamers in the US

• 2023- 181.3 million gamers in the US

• 2024 is predicted to see a 1.2% growth rate- 183.5 million gamers in the US

• 2025 is predicted to see a 1.1% growth rate- 185.5 million gamers in the US

The rise of the female gamer will continue during this year and into the future. In 2021 it was estimated that 45% of gamers in the US were female, up from 41% the previous year. The average age of gamers today in the US is closer to 35 than 18-25, which is what the prevailing opinion of gamer ages seems to be. The diversity of online gamers has risen significantly to its all-time peak, and we hope to see the trend continue. By the end of this year, analysts predict that more than half of the US population will identify as some form of gamer.

Device Trends and Statistics

2019 and 2020 saw a massive uptake in the use of devices like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. The increase in console use was the biggest across the industry, a tremendous 6.3% growth going into 2020, 2021, and into this year; this spike has plateaued and will not see radical growth like that again anytime soon, barring some unforeseen world event. The way gamers play continues to evolve as well; the return to a more structured work week sees the overall gamer community dedicating less time to gaming than before.

Gaming mobile phones still own the market by a huge margin; this year, mobile gamers in the US will make up more than 89% of the gamer community. The convenience and portability of mobile gaming are the reason for this; even a laptop needs to be folded up and packed away, whereas a phone goes straight into your pocket. This portability means that gamers can dedicate any spare time available to finish a level or a quest; on the bus to work, at lunchtime, or even while cooking if the game isn’t too demanding.

Game Trends and Statistics

The release of Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch was a mind-blowing success. Over 40% of the world’s Animal Crossing players are female, and the vast majority are in their late 20s or 30s. More diversified game releases continue to add to the diversification of the player base. First-person shooters or combat games are still played mainly by younger males and usually on Xbox or PC.

Streamed Content Trends and Statistics

Game streamers and YouTubers are here to stay. The viability of a career as a gaming influencer or streamer is now crystal clear but be warned; only around 1% of influencer hopefuls will ever make a living from creating content. Digital content consumption (Twitch in particular) is on the up from last year, and the trend is predicted to carry on into next year as well:

• 2021- 44 million US viewers

• 2022- 46.5 million US viewers

• 2023- 49 million US viewers

• 2024- 51.6 million US viewers.

Twitch remains a dominating force in the market and looks to remain so for years to come.

Final Word

These statistics and trend forecasts will help you stay ahead of the curve as a member of the online gaming community.

Laptop and PC gaming make up the next largest segment of the community. A survey conducted last October concluded that 29% of gamers play on a PC or laptop. This number looks set to decrease or at least have the players drop in regularity. Since gamers are now able to move around more freely again, convenience will once again begin to outweigh more traditional methods of gaming.