Over 212 Million Americans Enjoy Video Games, With One-Third of Players Aged 80 and Up

The latest survey from the Entertainment Software Association has just dropped, showcasing insights from 13,545 individuals across the U.S. about their gaming habits. The results indicate a slight uptick in the number of gamers since 2025, with 67 percent of Americans—approximately 212.3 million people—engaging in gaming. Notably, this includes 32 percent of those aged 81 to 90.

This data reflects a 3 percent increase in gamers compared to 2025, though it’s tough to determine how much of this is due to sampling differences. Historically, the ESA’s figures have fluctuated; for instance, they reported 60 percent of the population gaming in 2001, and the current 67 percent was also noted back in 2010. By 2016, that number dipped to 63 percent, indicating some variability over the years. In 2020, the total number of players was slightly higher at 214.4 million, but by 2024, it had dramatically dropped to 190.6 million, or 61 percent.

What’s particularly interesting in this year’s report is the more granular age breakdown, which offers a clearer picture than previous years. Traditionally, gamers have been categorized into under 18, 18-50, and 50+, but this year’s data dives deeper, revealing a surprising number of octogenarians gaming weekly.

While it’s easy to attribute this trend to mobile gaming, it’s crucial to remember that the ESA aims to promote the gaming industry, which can sometimes lead to a skewed presentation of the data. Their tendency to blend mobile gaming with console and PC gaming can obscure the true landscape of the gaming community. However, it’s a step up from the misleading figures they used to present regarding “lost” revenue from piracy in the early 2000s.

Examining the detailed statistics, it appears that while the Silent Generation hasn’t fully embraced modern consoles (only 7 percent report using them), PC gaming still holds a significant presence. The ESA combines the Boomer (ages 62-80) and Silent generations in their data, and while 84 percent of older gamers are on mobile, 39 percent also engage with PC gaming. While much of this could be attributed to casual games, many in this age group likely have fond memories of gaming from the ’70s and ’80s, which could include titles like Civ 7 or Skyrim.

However, the survey is careful not to clarify how many of its respondents are playing free-to-play mobile puzzle games, instead focusing on the importance of ESRB ratings. The genre breakdown reveals that Puzzle games dominate, played by 59 percent of those gaming for over an hour a week, and reaching 74 percent among Boomers and Silent players. The next highest category, “Skill & Chance” games, sits at 53 percent, while “Arcade & Other” drops to 21 percent. Role Playing and Shooter games are in single digits.

The remainder of the report highlights the significant number of adults who play games with children and those who view gaming as a positive aspect of their lives. This has always been true, yet it often goes unnoticed by mainstream media, which seems surprised every time gaming makes headlines.

If only the ESA could shift its focus from its fixation on DRM and advocate for game preservation, we might celebrate these figures with a bit less skepticism.