The Popularity of Video Games in the 21st Century

The video game industry is growing rapidly in the 21st century as more people play games each year. Within the U.S., video games like The Last of Us are popular in states like South Carolina, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Georgia, and Delaware. Hogwarts Legacy, in contrast, is popular in states like Idaho, Missouri, and New Mexico. Although a wide range of video games vary in popularity in different states and even countries, there is no doubt that there are five particular video game genres that are well liked around the world. 

First Person Shooter Games

The first person shooter genre, which includes games like Duck Hunt that has sold 28 million copies worldwide, attracts more than 60% of 16- to 24-year-olds as well as 25- to 34-year-olds. 55- to 64-year-olds are in the 32% minority who like the game. The action adventure genre has games like The Last of Us, which sold 20 million copies worldwide, also attracts more than 60% of people in the 16 to 24 age range and 25 to 34 age range with the 55 to 64 age range making up the 33% minority as well. 

Simulation Gaming

Simulation games is another top video game genre that includes games like Minecraft that has sold 230 million copies worldwide. This genre is popular among 43% of 16- to 24-year-olds and 25- to 34-year-olds with the 55- to 64-year-olds making up the 22% minority. Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like Honor of the Kings (which usually attracts 100 million players daily) are actually most popular among those in the 25 to 34 age range at 43% with people in the 55 to 64 age range being the least interested in the genre at 18%. Sports is the last of the top five video game genres, and it includes games like the well-known FIFA, which has sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, while attracting 44% of 25- to 34-year-olds and at least 24% of 55- to 64-year-olds. 

Looking around the world in 2023, games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Madden NFL have been most popular in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. respectively. With more people interested in video games, there have been growing trends in the industry. For instance, Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) games have grabbed the attention of many with more than 90 million people using VR and 23 million using AR games in 2023 alone.  

Fitness and Gaming

There has also been growing interest in fitness games or engaging in “exergaming” for players who want to use video games to be more active. In fact, the VR fitness market is expected to grow at least 40% in the next six years. Casino gaming has increased in popularity with an almost 30% growth rate since 2018. There are now more than 4,700 online casino gaming businesses located around the world.

There is no doubt that the global gaming industry is currently shining brighter than ever before.