GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gen Z Gaming Statistics

Gen Z favors mobile, social, narrative-driven, eco-friendly, immersive gaming experiences.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

78% of Gen Z gamers use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to discover new games

Statistic 2

65% of Gen Z gamers are aware of gaming influencers, and 42% follow at least one gaming influencer regularly

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64% of Gen Z gamers use streaming platforms like Twitch to watch gaming content

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71% of Gen Z gamers engage with gaming content on TikTok at least once a week

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43% of Gen Z gamers follow gaming brands and developers on social media, influencing their buying decisions

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64% of Gen Z gamers use their gaming devices for content creation, such as streaming or making videos

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53% of Gen Z gamers believe that virtual reality (VR) gaming will be the future of gaming

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43% of Gen Z gamers are interested in decentralized or blockchain-based games

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62% of Gen Z gamers believe that immersive and augmented reality (AR) games will dominate future gaming trends

Statistic 10

59% of Gen Z gamers have shown interest in gaming that incorporates elements of augmented reality (AR) beyond mobile, such as AR glasses

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48% of Gen Z gamers participate in gaming tournaments or eSports events

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55% of Gen Z gamers have stopped playing a game due to toxic online communities

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49% of Gen Z gamers actively participate in gaming communities on Discord

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45% of Gen Z gamers use gaming as a primary means of social interaction, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic

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60% of Gen Z gamers participate in gaming-related charity events or fundraisers

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48% of Gen Z gamers have tried virtual concert experiences within gaming environments

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73% of Gen Z gamers participate actively in in-game events or limited-time challenges

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70% of Gen Z gamers prefer mobile gaming over consoles or PCs

Statistic 19

68% of Gen Z gamers play video games daily or multiple times a week

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Gen Z accounts for approximately 40% of the global gaming population

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55% of Gen Z gamers say that social interaction through gaming is more important than winning

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45% of Gen Z gamers spend over 10 hours per week gaming

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60% of Gen Z gamers prefer multiplayer online games over single-player experiences

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50% of Gen Z gamers have played free-to-play games in the past month

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40% of Gen Z gamers prioritize story and narrative in video games over graphics

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55% of Gen Z gamers identify as casual gamers rather than core gamers

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67% of Gen Z gamers prefer gaming experiences that can be completed in under an hour

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38% of Gen Z gamers prefer games that allow customization and self-expression

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51% of Gen Z gamers prefer game genres that combine elements of social media and gaming, such as social simulation games

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58% of Gen Z gamers say that they are more likely to play games that support cross-platform play

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59% of Gen Z gamers prefer games with strong narrative choices and branching storylines

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47% of Gen Z gamers have expressed interest in gaming accessories such as customizable controllers and VR headsets

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54% of Gen Z gamers are more likely to support independent and indie game developers

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69% of Gen Z gamers rely on online reviews and ratings before purchasing a game

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52% of Gen Z gamers have researched game developers’ sustainability and ethical practices before buying

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58% of Gen Z gamers prefer multiplayer games where they can customize avatars and environments

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65% of Gen Z gamers are interested in gaming narratives involving social justice or community themes

Statistic 38

69% of Gen Z gamers believe that sustainable gaming practices, like eco-friendly packaging, are important

Statistic 39

54% of Gen Z gamers are interested in games that incorporate educational or skill-building elements

Statistic 40

67% of Gen Z gamers prefer gaming experiences that include user-generated content and mods

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44% of Gen Z gamers seek out games that are part of larger franchises with ongoing content updates

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58% of Gen Z gamers play games that have culturally diverse characters and storylines

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49% of Gen Z gamers have canceled or uninstalled a game due to privacy concerns over data collection

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57% of Gen Z gamers prefer narrative-driven games with character development over gameplay mechanics

Statistic 45

60% of Gen Z gamers look for games with strong community features, such as clans or guilds, to foster social connection

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55% of Gen Z gamers prefer games that include mental health awareness or supportive themes

Statistic 47

66% of Gen Z gamers believe that gaming can be an effective tool for education and learning

Statistic 48

70% of Gen Z gamers prefer monetization through in-game purchases rather than ads

Statistic 49

72% of Gen Z gamers buy or pre-order new game releases within the first month

Statistic 50

66% of Gen Z gamers prefer to purchase games digitally rather than physical copies

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74% of Gen Z gamers prefer free-to-play games with optional in-app purchases

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71% of Gen Z gamers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly gaming products

Statistic 53

53% of Gen Z gamers prefer to access games via subscription services rather than individual purchases

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Sources

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Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

70% of Gen Z gamers prefer mobile gaming over consoles or PCs
68% of Gen Z gamers play video games daily or multiple times a week
Gen Z accounts for approximately 40% of the global gaming population
55% of Gen Z gamers say that social interaction through gaming is more important than winning
45% of Gen Z gamers spend over 10 hours per week gaming
60% of Gen Z gamers prefer multiplayer online games over single-player experiences
50% of Gen Z gamers have played free-to-play games in the past month
78% of Gen Z gamers use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to discover new games
40% of Gen Z gamers prioritize story and narrative in video games over graphics
65% of Gen Z gamers are aware of gaming influencers, and 42% follow at least one gaming influencer regularly
70% of Gen Z gamers prefer monetization through in-game purchases rather than ads
55% of Gen Z gamers identify as casual gamers rather than core gamers
53% of Gen Z gamers believe that virtual reality (VR) gaming will be the future of gaming

Forget traditional gaming—Gen Z’s digital playground is thriving on mobile, social, and immersive experiences that redefine what it means to play today.

Content Consumption and Social Media Use

78% of Gen Z gamers use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to discover new games
65% of Gen Z gamers are aware of gaming influencers, and 42% follow at least one gaming influencer regularly
64% of Gen Z gamers use streaming platforms like Twitch to watch gaming content
71% of Gen Z gamers engage with gaming content on TikTok at least once a week
43% of Gen Z gamers follow gaming brands and developers on social media, influencing their buying decisions
64% of Gen Z gamers use their gaming devices for content creation, such as streaming or making videos

Content Consumption and Social Media Use Interpretation

With nearly four-fifths of Gen Z gamers scouring TikTok and Instagram for the latest titles, it’s clear that social media isn’t just a distraction but the new gaming gateway — shaping tastes, influencing purchases, and turning players into content creators in a virtual echo chamber where influencers and brands wield as much power as the games themselves.

Emerging Technologies and Future Trends

53% of Gen Z gamers believe that virtual reality (VR) gaming will be the future of gaming
43% of Gen Z gamers are interested in decentralized or blockchain-based games
62% of Gen Z gamers believe that immersive and augmented reality (AR) games will dominate future gaming trends
59% of Gen Z gamers have shown interest in gaming that incorporates elements of augmented reality (AR) beyond mobile, such as AR glasses

Emerging Technologies and Future Trends Interpretation

Gen Z gamers are clearly betting on a future where virtual, augmented, and blockchain technologies—once the stuff of sci-fi—become the new normal, signaling that the next gaming revolution is not just virtual but virtually inescapable.

Engagement and Participation in Gaming Culture

48% of Gen Z gamers participate in gaming tournaments or eSports events
55% of Gen Z gamers have stopped playing a game due to toxic online communities
49% of Gen Z gamers actively participate in gaming communities on Discord
45% of Gen Z gamers use gaming as a primary means of social interaction, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
60% of Gen Z gamers participate in gaming-related charity events or fundraisers
48% of Gen Z gamers have tried virtual concert experiences within gaming environments
73% of Gen Z gamers participate actively in in-game events or limited-time challenges

Engagement and Participation in Gaming Culture Interpretation

While nearly half of Gen Z gamers are stepping into eSports arenas and engaging in vibrant online communities, a significant portion also navigates toxicity and uses gaming as their social lifeline—highlighting a generation that champions both competitive excellence and the need for safer, more connected virtual spaces.

Gaming Preferences and Behaviors

70% of Gen Z gamers prefer mobile gaming over consoles or PCs
68% of Gen Z gamers play video games daily or multiple times a week
Gen Z accounts for approximately 40% of the global gaming population
55% of Gen Z gamers say that social interaction through gaming is more important than winning
45% of Gen Z gamers spend over 10 hours per week gaming
60% of Gen Z gamers prefer multiplayer online games over single-player experiences
50% of Gen Z gamers have played free-to-play games in the past month
40% of Gen Z gamers prioritize story and narrative in video games over graphics
55% of Gen Z gamers identify as casual gamers rather than core gamers
67% of Gen Z gamers prefer gaming experiences that can be completed in under an hour
38% of Gen Z gamers prefer games that allow customization and self-expression
51% of Gen Z gamers prefer game genres that combine elements of social media and gaming, such as social simulation games
58% of Gen Z gamers say that they are more likely to play games that support cross-platform play
59% of Gen Z gamers prefer games with strong narrative choices and branching storylines
47% of Gen Z gamers have expressed interest in gaming accessories such as customizable controllers and VR headsets
54% of Gen Z gamers are more likely to support independent and indie game developers
69% of Gen Z gamers rely on online reviews and ratings before purchasing a game
52% of Gen Z gamers have researched game developers’ sustainability and ethical practices before buying
58% of Gen Z gamers prefer multiplayer games where they can customize avatars and environments
65% of Gen Z gamers are interested in gaming narratives involving social justice or community themes
69% of Gen Z gamers believe that sustainable gaming practices, like eco-friendly packaging, are important
54% of Gen Z gamers are interested in games that incorporate educational or skill-building elements
67% of Gen Z gamers prefer gaming experiences that include user-generated content and mods
44% of Gen Z gamers seek out games that are part of larger franchises with ongoing content updates
58% of Gen Z gamers play games that have culturally diverse characters and storylines
49% of Gen Z gamers have canceled or uninstalled a game due to privacy concerns over data collection
57% of Gen Z gamers prefer narrative-driven games with character development over gameplay mechanics
60% of Gen Z gamers look for games with strong community features, such as clans or guilds, to foster social connection
55% of Gen Z gamers prefer games that include mental health awareness or supportive themes
66% of Gen Z gamers believe that gaming can be an effective tool for education and learning

Gaming Preferences and Behaviors Interpretation

With a penchant for mobile, social bonds, and socially conscious narratives, Gen Z gamers are redefining the industry’s priorities—favoring meaningful connections, diverse stories, and sustainable practices over mere victory, and proving that gaming is as much about community and self-expression as it is about play.

Monetization and Purchase Trends

70% of Gen Z gamers prefer monetization through in-game purchases rather than ads
72% of Gen Z gamers buy or pre-order new game releases within the first month
66% of Gen Z gamers prefer to purchase games digitally rather than physical copies
74% of Gen Z gamers prefer free-to-play games with optional in-app purchases
71% of Gen Z gamers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly gaming products
53% of Gen Z gamers prefer to access games via subscription services rather than individual purchases

Monetization and Purchase Trends Interpretation

Gen Z gamers are reshaping the industry with their preference for digital, eco-conscious, and monetized experiences, signaling a shift toward sustainable gaming economies centered on convenience and personalization over traditional physical and one-time purchases.