212 Million Americans Play Video Games, Including A Third Of Those Aged Over 80

The annual Entertainment Software Association Essential Facts survey questioned 13,545 people in the U.S. and finds 67 percent of the country, or 212.3 million people, play video games. That figure includes 32 percent of those aged 81 to 90 and represents a 3 percent rise from 2025; the survey says it’s hard to know how much of this is due to sampling variation and that it is almost certainly not representative of a trend.

ESA historical figures have swung over time, showing 60 percent in 2001, 67 percent in 2010, 63 percent in 2016, 214.4 million in 2020 and a fall to 190.6 million (61 percent) in 2024. This year’s data offers a more detailed age breakdown than usual, moving beyond the typical under-18, 18–50 and 50+ groupings.

It highlights a notable number of octogenarians playing on a weekly basis. The Silent generation reports limited use of modern consoles (7 percent), but PC still registers significant use among older players.

United States

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