by Sean B.
Already an immensely popular industry thanks to the continued development of technology, the gaming industry experienced massive growth during the first year of this new decade. Gaming is now the most popular method of at-home entertainment with US residents, beating out the movies and music streaming combined.
In this article, we'll be taking a look at some of the key stats and current gaming trends that are sweeping the US right now.
According to eMarketer, in 2020 the monthly gaming audience in the US increased by 5.7% when compared to 2019 - the largest yearly increase to date. The popularity of gaming hasn't peaked just yet, however, as there will be a total of 177.7 million monthly gamers in the country by the end of this year. That equates to a whopping 53.1% of the population.
It's not just video games themselves that are growing in popularity year on year, gamers are also lapping up gaming related content such as Twitch streams and digital videos. Gaming viewership content (GVC) stats increased by 22.7% from 2019 to 2020 and will increase by an additional 6.2% this year, with monthly GVC viewers reaching 56.2 million.
eSports - the competitive arm of video gaming - really hit the mainstream this decade. A combination of celebrity endorsement by the likes of Drake, DJ Marshmello, and Michael Jordan, the staggering rise of games like Fortnite, and coverage from traditional sports broadcasters like ESPN has taken pro gaming to a new level.
Competitive video games are now fully integrated into popular culture and geeks are laughing all the way to the bank thanks to the lucrative prize pools on offer in global eSports tournaments. With several mainstream brands and media outlets now championing eSports in the US, consumers are paying attention too. In 2023, Insider Intelligence has forecast that there will be an average of 26.6 million monthly eSports viewers this year, up by 11.4% when compared to 2020.
iGaming is a sector of the digital gaming industry that deals with real money wagering and gaming. It's the vertical that includes online casino platforms, poker hubs, lottery apps, sports betting apps, and everything in between.
Compared to other leading gaming nations, iGaming could largely be considered a niche market in the US. However, recent changes in legislation that have allowed real money gaming platforms to go live in Michigan is proof that the consumer appetite for online casino, poker, and sports betting in the country is strong.
Despite being a nascent market, iGaming in the US was valued at just under $2 billion in 2020, and it's expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.32% by 2026.
One of the biggest events in gaming last year was the release of the new next-gen consoles. Both Sony and Microsoft released their latest, future-ready machines (PS5 and Xbox X Series, respectively) to critical and gamer acclaim. However, even the combined power of these mega-consoles wasn't enough to knock the humble smartphone from the top spot.
Gaming on the go is still the top digital gaming activity with US residents. Reports suggest that in 2023, there will be over 150 million monthly mobile gamers across the country, representing 89% of the total digital gaming audience.
And the reason for mobile's enduring popularity? It's easily the convenience factor. Gamers can, quite simply, whip their device out of their pocket and play anywhere at any time. Mobile gaming is also a lot more cost-effective for the gamer on a budget than consoles or PCs. Many of the top mobile games are completely free to download and play and run well even on budget-range devices.
There's also an almost overwhelming array of choices when it comes to mobile gaming, with hundreds of gaming apps in every genre you can think of lined up in Google Play and the App Store, waiting to be downloaded.
Recent investment into mobile gaming by major studios like Activision Blizzard is creating gaming experiences on the go that are console-quality, while dedicated gaming smartphones like the ASUS ROG line are more than a match for gaming laptops.
About Sean B.
Sean Bradley is a highly regarded marketing expert with extensive experience and expertise in the field. With a passion for helping businesses thrive and grow, Sean has established himself as a leading figure in the marketing industry. Sean's expertise spans various marketing channels, including digital marketing, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and branding. He is well-versed in utilizing data-driven insights to craft targeted marketing strategies that resonate with audiences and generate measurable ROI.
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