What We learned
For the first time, national trade associations (NTAs) serving the video game industry around the world issued a survey to look at the behaviors and interests of players. The survey found that playing games is about far more than entertainment.
Top reasons to play
Games Support Mental Health
Playing Games
Research surveys have identified that playing video games helps people lift their moods.
Globally, players say that playing video games reduces stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation.
Games Make People Happy
More than half of players around the world say that playing video games provides them with a healthy outlet, helps them feel happier and helps them navigate difficult times.
Games Bolster Mental Health
As video games become increasingly popular online meeting places, researchers have begun looking at how they impact our mental health.
Games Boost Cognitive Skills
Video games have always been associated with storytelling and escapism, but researchers are increasingly finding that games can help bolster key cognitive skills and even slow the effects of memory loss. A study published in Nature Human Behavior found that even just a couple hours of gameplay a week can help improve attention, control and reading.
“Engaging with arts and culture online can improve mental health in young people,” reducing psychological distress.
– Oxford University study, 2022, Sheriff & Vuorre, 2022
“The effects are thus long-term, in line with the action video game strengthening the ability to learn how to learn.”
– Nature Human Behavior study, 2022
Games are Social
Playing video games is a powerful way to connect with others. Half of global gamers play with others online on a weekly basis and more than a third play with other people in person.
“Video games provide a unique environment in which individuals can play with a very wide range of other people with scarcely any boundary including across age, sex, language or location.”
– Computers in Human Behavior study, 2018
On a daily basis I play video games:
On a weekly basis I play video games:
Daily basis play with others: •in person •online Weekly basis play with others: •in person •online
Want to Learn More?
Dive deep into the findings by downloading the full report.
Participating Associations
