Newzoo: North American avid gamers spend a median of $325 yearly

North American gamers spend a median of $325 on gaming yearly, accounting for 28% of world market spending, a brand new report has discovered.

Published on August 12, 2025, the report by Newzoo and Tebex analyzed participant habits and cost developments within the West.

According to the findings, the West video games market is seeing slowing “payer growth,” with a 1.1% compound annual progress fee (CAGR) in North America and three.1% CAGR in Europe between 2023 and 2027. As such, Newzoo and Tebex advocate studios “shift from acquiring new players to maximizing value from existing ones.”

The report discovered that the worldwide market dimension is $189 billion (up 3.4% year-on-year), with North America accounting for 28% ($52.7 billion) of that whole, and Europe making up 18% ($33.1 billion).

While North America and Europe home solely 20% of gamers (3.54 billion), the areas, collectively, account for 46% of world spending.

Elsewhere, the report discovered that North America leads in annual spend per participant, with avid gamers spending a median of $325 annually.

European gamers spend nearly thrice much less, with a median of $125. Cumulatively, Western avid gamers ($170) spend greater than thrice what Eastern avid gamers ($51.60) do on common.

The motivations behind participant spending in these areas additionally differ. 34% of North American gamers spend cash to unlock unique content material, whereas 29% achieve this on personalisation/character customization.

In Europe, 28% of gamers prioritise offers and provides, with 21% valuing ad-free experiences. The report means that “discounted bundles and subscription models can increase conversion in this region.”

The report additionally discovered that there’s range in participant spending patterns between areas. In North America, 27% of gamers put money into content material packs, power-ups, and in-game currencies, 24% purchase subscriptions, and 23% buy battle passes.

European avid gamers, alternatively, spend probably the most on in-game currencies and content material packs (21% every), 20% on subscriptions, and 18% on gear and time-saving options.

The analysis additionally reveals that Microtransactions drive 49% of PC and 52% of console income in North America, with shooters the favored style. In Europe, they drive 42% of PC and 51% of console income, with sport the highest style. Mobile, nevertheless, is “near 100% in-game revenue.”

The report goes on to advocate that firms can “significantly increase” common transaction worth (ATV) in Western markets by providing different cost strategies, akin to Buy Now Pay Later and cryptocurrency, “without sacrificing transaction volume.”

“Today’s players want to know what they’re paying for – and why,” says Liam Wiltshire. Tebex’s head of funds and compliance. “How you monetize matters more than ever.”