In its new study, the analytics company Circana uncovered an interesting trend: there is a decline in the number of players in the youngest age category (2-12 years old) in the USA.
- Since 2022, their numbers have decreased from 40.9 million to 38.5 million in 2024.
- Furthermore, children now spend less time playing video games: in 2022, they spent an average of 17.2 hours per week on this activity, whereas now it's just 16 hours.
- This trend reflects the overall situation in the US market: the number of players has decreased from the peak levels during the lockdowns. According to Circana, 71% of Americans now play video games, which is 4% less compared to 2022.
- This also applies to the number of "casual players," for whom games served as time killers.
- As noted by journalist Stephen Totilo, there is a growing trend in the number of hours young gamers spend weekly watching Let's Plays and streams—up from 8.9 hours in 2022 to 10.1 hours in 2024.
- Analyst Mat Piscatella believes the main reason for the decline in the number of players among children is the return to normal life following pandemic restrictions and, consequently, the emergence of alternative activities.
- Experts point out that increased parental controls in popular games (such as Fortnite) may also have limited the time young Americans spend gaming.
- Despite these changes, it is emphasized that the reduced interest in games among the younger generation may be only a temporary phenomenon.