Study Shows 33% US Gamers Aren’t Buying New Games at All

A new study has revealed that most gamers in the United States are no longer purchasing new video games regularly, with sales being driven primarily by a small group of dedicated hobbyists.

The research, conducted by Circana and shared by industry analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky, highlights a major shift in consumer behavior.

According to the report, about 66% of US gamers buy one or two games per year, while 33% don’t buy any new games at all in a typical 12-month period.

Video Game Purchasing Frequency - "How often do you typically purchase a new game?":

• 4% gamers - more often than once a month

• 10% gamers - about once a month

• 22% gamers - about once every 3 months

• 18% gamers - about once every 6 months

• 12% gamers - about once a year

• 33% gamers - less often than once a year

Piscatella explained that the market is increasingly sustained by “hyper enthusiasts,” a small group of players (4%) who purchase games frequently and are less sensitive to price.

It’s not entirely clear what’s driving this trend, but subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and the popularity of free-to-play titles such as Fortnite and Roblox may be reducing the need for traditional purchases. Microtransactions and live-service spending, which aren’t counted as full game sales, also play a role in reshaping the numbers.