The Entertainment Software Association released a study about the demographics of the video games industry, discovering that in the USA, the elderly play the most games.
In early October 2025, the ESA published a study titled ‘The Power of Play,’ which surveyed 24,216 players 16 years and up from 21 countries in six continents.
One of the biggest takeaways from the ESA’s findings is that the split between men and women who play video games is nearly even, with women making up 48% and men 51%. In some countries, there are more women who game than men; in the US, the divide was 52% women, 48% men, while South Africa boasted a ratio of 58% female to 41% male players.
21% of those surveyed said they were PC gamers, with another 21% gravitating toward consoles. VR headsets and other hardware only made up a paltry 3% of the pie.
The divide between men and women in regards to console gaming was closer than those who chose mobile; 27% of male players play on console, with women close behind at 21%.
Elderly gamers dominate America
Another interesting tidbit the ESA discovered is that the average age of most gamers is 41 years, with 55% of the polled players, regardless of gender, opting for mobile games over console or PC titles. As per the study, 46% of men polled preferred mobile games, with 64% of women also opting for mobile.
Perhaps most shockingly, in the United States, the largest group of gamers was those aged 65 and up, making up 22% of those surveyed.
The second largest age bracket was those in the 35-44 age range making up 19%. 44-54 and 55-64 were tied, making up 17% of American players.
ESA study finds women play video games almost as much as men
The ESA also found fascinating breakdowns in terms of favorite genre by gender, with women greatly outpacing men in favor of puzzle games, while men generally prefer other kinds of titles like action, fighting games, and shooters.
In general, players under the age of 35 prefer most genres more than those over 55 — but their elders outnumber the youth when it comes to puzzle games and mobile platforms.
Of those surveyed by the ESA, 70-80% said that gaming provides them with “mental stimulation,” “stress relief,” an “outlet from everyday challenges,” and a way to make new friends.
In fact, gaming as a way to de-stress is completely even between men and women, with both genders using it as a means to relax and calm their minds.
Kremlin issues veiled threats towards Moldova, cites Ukraine as warning