Video Video games Transcend Entertainment, Have an effect on Constructive Change in Players’ Lives

Video video games affirmed as a supply of connection, stress aid and psychological stimulation in one of many largest shopper surveys ever performed of greater than 24,000 online game gamers in 21 international locations throughout six continents.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), in partnership with online game commerce associations in Australia, Canada, Europe and South Korea, as we speak launched the 2025 Global Power of Play report. The report reveals the common social and emotional advantages of video video games, confirmed by each peer-reviewed educational analysis and a survey of 24,216 energetic (weekly) gamers (age 16+) in 21 international locations: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom and the United States of America (U.S.).

“As one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world, video games are a source of fun and entertainment for billions of players around the world. What the 2025 Global Power of Play report confirms, however, is that video games are much more than that,” stated Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of the ESA. “Proven by both academic research and one of the largest consumer surveys ever conducted of video game players, games bring immense value to our lives, provide borderless avenues for connection and improve our mental and social wellbeing.” 

Globally, gamers agree on the optimistic social, emotional and psychological advantages of recreation play:

• Having enjoyable is the highest purpose individuals around the globe say they play video video games (66%), with stress aid (58%) and preserving minds sharp (45%) making up the highest three causes for taking part in. In the U.S., the highest three causes Americans say they play video video games are to have enjoyable (63%), for stress aid (56%) and to maintain their thoughts sharp (47%).
• Seventy-seven % of gamers globally say video video games assist them really feel much less burdened, 70% report diminished anxiousness and 64% credit score video video games with easing loneliness by connecting them to others. Americans really feel equally, reporting video games helps them really feel much less burdened (75%), much less anxious (67%) and fewer lonely (58%).
• Players worldwide agree that video video games present psychological stimulation (81%), present stress aid (80%) and create accessible experiences for individuals with completely different skills (78%). American gamers monitor international sentiment, rating psychological stimulation (80%), stress aid (80%) and creating expertise for individuals with completely different skills (77%) highest.

Players around the globe flip to video games for broader ability improvement:

• Players agree that video video games assist enhance creativity (77%), problem-solving (76%) and teamwork and collaboration expertise (74%). Adaptability (72%), important pondering (71%) and communication expertise (67%) additionally rank excessive. In the U.S., the highest three expertise gamers consider are improved by taking part in video video games are adaptability (77%), cultural sensitivity (74%) and communication (73%).
• Half of all gamers worldwide say taking part in video video games has immediately bolstered their skilled training via technical or behavioral expertise, and 43% report that video games have influenced their profession or academic path. In the U.S., 45% say video video games have positively impacted their careers.
• Over half (54%) of world gamers really feel that sports activities video video games have sharpened their actual‐world skills in that very same sport; 44% of Americans agree.

Video video games will not be solely a well-liked car for lasting connections with youngsters, members of the family and mates, but additionally are an avenue to forge new relationships:

• Nearly two-thirds (62%) of gamers worldwide agree that video video games create areas for optimistic connections with others; 55% of Americans agree.
• Across the world, youthful gamers (ages 16-35) use video games to make and construct relationships, with 67% saying they’ve met a very good pal, partner or vital different via video video games. Nearly three in 4 (73%) of that very same age group say video video games assist them really feel much less remoted and lonely by connecting them to different individuals.
• More than half of gamers globally (55%) say that video video games positively affect their relationships with their youngsters, and 68% play with their youngsters in-person at the very least month-to-month. 47% of American gamers say video games positively affect their relationship with their youngsters.

Profile of the worldwide online game participant (age 16+):

• The international online game participant is 41 years outdated on common and is about simply as more likely to be male (51%) as feminine (48%). China is the nation with the bottom common participant age at 32; Italy has the best at age 50.
• There are a number of international locations the place considerably extra ladies than males play video video games, together with Brazil (57% to 43%) and South Africa (58% to 41%).
• Globally, the bulk (55%) of gamers play on cellular units. Action and puzzle video games are the highest two favored genres in 20 of the 21 international locations surveyed.

Access the whole 2025 Global Power of Play report at www.theesa.com/powerofplay.

About the Entertainment Software Association
Founded in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has served because the voice and advocate for the U.S. online game trade for greater than 30 years. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and enterprise leaders which are reimagining leisure and reworking how we work together, be taught, join and play. The ESA works to develop and defend the dynamic market for video video games via progressive and interesting initiatives that showcase the optimistic affect of video video games on individuals, tradition and the economic system to safe a vibrant future for the trade for many years to come back. For extra info, go to the ESA’s website or comply with the ESA on X @theESA or Instagram @theesaofficial.

The Power of Play Report Methodology
The international survey was performed by AudienceNet *, gathering 24,216 responses throughout 21 international locations on six continents: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. Participants had been aged 16-65+, and all certified as energetic players, outlined as taking part in video video games for at the very least one hour per week through console, PC/laptop computer, pill, cellular, or VR. Quotas and screening standards ensured a minimal of 1,000 energetic players per nation. All respondents had been recruited through professionally accredited shopper analysis panels.

*AudienceNet is a fully-accredited international shopper analysis firm, presently conducting nationally consultant analysis in 52 international locations. As a Market Research Society (MRS) Company Partner, AudienceNet is certain by the MRS Code Of Conduct, in addition to GDPR in relation to the gathering and dealing with of shopper analysis knowledge. For extra info go to www.audiencenet.com.

SOURCE Entertainment Software Association