GITNUXREPORT 2025

Marketing In The Video Game Industry Statistics

Video game marketing boosts industry growth, engagement, and sales significantly.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average marketing budget for AAA game titles in 2023 is approximately $5 million

Statistic 2

The average retention rate for in-game advertisements is 25%, but well-placed ads can increase engagement by up to 50%

Statistic 3

Mobile game ads have a 10-15% click-through rate, significantly higher than traditional digital ads

Statistic 4

80% of game publishers plan to increase marketing spend on social media platforms in 2024

Statistic 5

Pre-release trailers generate up to 30% more game sales within the first month of launch

Statistic 6

65% of gamers use Instagram to follow game developers and brands, creating marketing opportunities for engagement

Statistic 7

More than 50% of gaming companies report that influencer marketing campaigns provide a higher ROI than traditional advertising

Statistic 8

Game publishers often allocate 20-30% of their marketing budget to influencer partnerships

Statistic 9

Gamification in marketing campaigns can boost user engagement rates by up to 85%, especially in the gaming industry

Statistic 10

48% of gamers follow gaming brands and companies on social media, allowing for targeted marketing campaigns

Statistic 11

42% of gamers discover new gaming content through online ads, highlighting the importance of digital marketing

Statistic 12

Brands that integrate in-game advertising see an average increase of 37% in brand awareness among gamers

Statistic 13

49% of players have redeemed in-game rewards connected to marketing campaigns, demonstrating effective engagement strategies

Statistic 14

The most common social media platform used by gamers for marketing is Twitch, with 70% of brands focusing their influencer campaigns there

Statistic 15

Video ads fill approximately 45% of a typical gaming website or platform's advertising slots, showing high ad saturation

Statistic 16

The average engagement rate for branded content in the gaming industry on social media is 3.2%, higher than other entertainment sectors

Statistic 17

80% of game developers plan to increase their video marketing efforts in 2024, recognizing its effectiveness

Statistic 18

The average return on investment (ROI) for in-game marketing campaigns is estimated at 500%, making it a highly lucrative channel

Statistic 19

72% of gamers follow gaming brands on Instagram, increasing brand visibility

Statistic 20

Micro-influencers in gaming (with fewer than 10,000 followers) are responsible for 30% of influencer marketing engagement in 2023, demonstrating their growing importance

Statistic 21

The average cost per engagement for gaming influencer campaigns is approximately $1.50, making it an affordable marketing avenue

Statistic 22

Augmented reality (AR) marketing campaigns in gaming have increased user engagement by 40% in 2023, highlighting innovative promotional methods

Statistic 23

Interactive marketing campaigns that incorporate quizzes or polls in gaming increase user participation by 60%, demonstrating effective engagement tactics

Statistic 24

In 2023, around 80% of gaming companies use data analytics to tailor their marketing campaigns, improving targeting and effectiveness

Statistic 25

58% of gamers have experienced targeted ads based on their gameplay behavior, boosting relevancy and click-through rates

Statistic 26

Twitch has over 140 million monthly active users as of 2023, driving significant marketing opportunities for game publishers

Statistic 27

63% of gamers discover new games through social media platforms

Statistic 28

45% of gamers prefer watching gameplay videos before purchasing a new title

Statistic 29

52% of mobile gamers engage with branded in-game advertisements regularly

Statistic 30

78% of gamers have tried a new game after seeing a sponsored post or ad

Statistic 31

YouTube remains the most used platform for gaming content, with 85% of gamers watching videos regularly

Statistic 32

60% of gamers are more likely to buy a game if they see influencer reviews or gameplay videos

Statistic 33

40% of players have made in-game purchases after encountering targeted marketing campaigns

Statistic 34

70% of gamers are more likely to try a new game if it is promoted through a limited-time event or exclusive content

Statistic 35

55% of consumers say they discover new video games through influencer collaborations

Statistic 36

The average player spends 6 hours per week watching gaming streams on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming

Statistic 37

66% of gamers are more likely to participate in a game with community-driven events or social marketing features

Statistic 38

58% of gamers prefer receiving personalized in-game offers and ads based on their playing history

Statistic 39

Gamers are 2.5 times more likely to engage with brands that sponsor eSports tournaments

Statistic 40

In 2023, 65% of gamers reported that their purchase decisions are influenced by marketing campaigns they see within games

Statistic 41

43% of gamers say they are more likely to purchase from a brand that sponsors gaming tournaments and eSports teams

Statistic 42

35% of gamers customize their in-game avatar or profile after exposure to branded content or marketing campaigns, increasing personalization and brand loyalty

Statistic 43

The global video game market is projected to reach $271.6 billion in 2023, with a significant portion driven by marketing efforts

Statistic 44

In 2022, video game advertising spend worldwide was approximately $9.5 billion

Statistic 45

Fortnite's in-game advertising revenue surpassed $2 billion in 2022

Statistic 46

Esports sponsorships and advertising revenue reached $1.8 billion in 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year

Statistic 47

In 2023, marketers spent over $300 million on virtual event sponsorships at major gaming conventions

Statistic 48

In 2022, in-game advertising revenue in the console gaming sector increased by 20%, reaching $1.2 billion

Statistic 49

The number of active mobile gamers worldwide reached 2.8 billion in 2023, fueling mobile game marketing strategies

Statistic 50

The global eSports viewership reached 474 million in 2023, creating vast marketing opportunities for brands

Statistic 51

In 2022, the average cost for a major gaming event sponsorship was approximately $500,000, with some top-tier events costing over $2 million

Statistic 52

The top-paid female eSports athletes earned over $600,000 in 2022, attracting brands interested in demographic-targeted marketing

Statistic 53

Mobile gaming advertising is projected to generate $15 billion in revenue in 2024, emphasizing mobile’s significance in marketing strategies

Statistic 54

The global virtual goods market, driven by in-game marketing, is expected to reach $120 billion by 2025, indicating lucrative monetization avenues

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Sources

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Key Highlights

The global video game market is projected to reach $271.6 billion in 2023, with a significant portion driven by marketing efforts
63% of gamers discover new games through social media platforms
In 2022, video game advertising spend worldwide was approximately $9.5 billion
45% of gamers prefer watching gameplay videos before purchasing a new title
Fortnite's in-game advertising revenue surpassed $2 billion in 2022
52% of mobile gamers engage with branded in-game advertisements regularly
The average marketing budget for AAA game titles in 2023 is approximately $5 million
78% of gamers have tried a new game after seeing a sponsored post or ad
YouTube remains the most used platform for gaming content, with 85% of gamers watching videos regularly
Twitch has over 140 million monthly active users as of 2023, driving significant marketing opportunities for game publishers
Esports sponsorships and advertising revenue reached $1.8 billion in 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year
60% of gamers are more likely to buy a game if they see influencer reviews or gameplay videos
The average retention rate for in-game advertisements is 25%, but well-placed ads can increase engagement by up to 50%

In the fast-evolving world of gaming, where over 2.8 billion mobile players and a $271.6 billion market converge, innovative marketing strategies—from social media influencers and in-game ads to virtual events—are transforming how gamers discover, engage with, and purchase new titles, making the industry a goldmine for savvy marketers.

Digital Marketing and Advertising Strategies

The average marketing budget for AAA game titles in 2023 is approximately $5 million
The average retention rate for in-game advertisements is 25%, but well-placed ads can increase engagement by up to 50%
Mobile game ads have a 10-15% click-through rate, significantly higher than traditional digital ads
80% of game publishers plan to increase marketing spend on social media platforms in 2024
Pre-release trailers generate up to 30% more game sales within the first month of launch
65% of gamers use Instagram to follow game developers and brands, creating marketing opportunities for engagement
More than 50% of gaming companies report that influencer marketing campaigns provide a higher ROI than traditional advertising
Game publishers often allocate 20-30% of their marketing budget to influencer partnerships
Gamification in marketing campaigns can boost user engagement rates by up to 85%, especially in the gaming industry
48% of gamers follow gaming brands and companies on social media, allowing for targeted marketing campaigns
42% of gamers discover new gaming content through online ads, highlighting the importance of digital marketing
Brands that integrate in-game advertising see an average increase of 37% in brand awareness among gamers
49% of players have redeemed in-game rewards connected to marketing campaigns, demonstrating effective engagement strategies
The most common social media platform used by gamers for marketing is Twitch, with 70% of brands focusing their influencer campaigns there
Video ads fill approximately 45% of a typical gaming website or platform's advertising slots, showing high ad saturation
The average engagement rate for branded content in the gaming industry on social media is 3.2%, higher than other entertainment sectors
80% of game developers plan to increase their video marketing efforts in 2024, recognizing its effectiveness
The average return on investment (ROI) for in-game marketing campaigns is estimated at 500%, making it a highly lucrative channel
72% of gamers follow gaming brands on Instagram, increasing brand visibility
Micro-influencers in gaming (with fewer than 10,000 followers) are responsible for 30% of influencer marketing engagement in 2023, demonstrating their growing importance
The average cost per engagement for gaming influencer campaigns is approximately $1.50, making it an affordable marketing avenue
Augmented reality (AR) marketing campaigns in gaming have increased user engagement by 40% in 2023, highlighting innovative promotional methods
Interactive marketing campaigns that incorporate quizzes or polls in gaming increase user participation by 60%, demonstrating effective engagement tactics
In 2023, around 80% of gaming companies use data analytics to tailor their marketing campaigns, improving targeting and effectiveness
58% of gamers have experienced targeted ads based on their gameplay behavior, boosting relevancy and click-through rates

Digital Marketing and Advertising Strategies Interpretation

In 2023, gaming marketers are investing around $5 million per AAA title and leveraging a dynamic mix of pre-release trailers, influencer collaborations, and innovative AR campaigns—where targeted ads, gamified engagement, and social media mastery—increase retention, brand visibility, and ROI by up to 500%, proving that in the gaming world, playing your marketing cards right not only scores high engagement rates but also delivers a high-score financial payoff.

Esports and Content Platforms

Twitch has over 140 million monthly active users as of 2023, driving significant marketing opportunities for game publishers

Esports and Content Platforms Interpretation

With over 140 million monthly active users in 2023, Twitch has cemented itself as a powerhouse platform where game publishers can effortlessly turn viewers into loyal customers — if they can keep up with the rapid pace of the digital gameplay race.

Gaming Consumer Behavior and Preferences

63% of gamers discover new games through social media platforms
45% of gamers prefer watching gameplay videos before purchasing a new title
52% of mobile gamers engage with branded in-game advertisements regularly
78% of gamers have tried a new game after seeing a sponsored post or ad
YouTube remains the most used platform for gaming content, with 85% of gamers watching videos regularly
60% of gamers are more likely to buy a game if they see influencer reviews or gameplay videos
40% of players have made in-game purchases after encountering targeted marketing campaigns
70% of gamers are more likely to try a new game if it is promoted through a limited-time event or exclusive content
55% of consumers say they discover new video games through influencer collaborations
The average player spends 6 hours per week watching gaming streams on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming
66% of gamers are more likely to participate in a game with community-driven events or social marketing features
58% of gamers prefer receiving personalized in-game offers and ads based on their playing history
Gamers are 2.5 times more likely to engage with brands that sponsor eSports tournaments
In 2023, 65% of gamers reported that their purchase decisions are influenced by marketing campaigns they see within games
43% of gamers say they are more likely to purchase from a brand that sponsors gaming tournaments and eSports teams
35% of gamers customize their in-game avatar or profile after exposure to branded content or marketing campaigns, increasing personalization and brand loyalty

Gaming Consumer Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

In the vibrant digital arena of gaming, social media and influencer marketing hold the keys to discovery and purchase decisions for over half of players, demonstrating that in-game advertisements, community events, and branded content are not just ancillary but central to shaping gamers' engagement and loyalty in an industry where a six-hour weekly viewing habit translates into a battlefield of brand influence.

Market Growth and Revenue

The global video game market is projected to reach $271.6 billion in 2023, with a significant portion driven by marketing efforts
In 2022, video game advertising spend worldwide was approximately $9.5 billion
Fortnite's in-game advertising revenue surpassed $2 billion in 2022
Esports sponsorships and advertising revenue reached $1.8 billion in 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year
In 2023, marketers spent over $300 million on virtual event sponsorships at major gaming conventions
In 2022, in-game advertising revenue in the console gaming sector increased by 20%, reaching $1.2 billion
The number of active mobile gamers worldwide reached 2.8 billion in 2023, fueling mobile game marketing strategies
The global eSports viewership reached 474 million in 2023, creating vast marketing opportunities for brands
In 2022, the average cost for a major gaming event sponsorship was approximately $500,000, with some top-tier events costing over $2 million
The top-paid female eSports athletes earned over $600,000 in 2022, attracting brands interested in demographic-targeted marketing
Mobile gaming advertising is projected to generate $15 billion in revenue in 2024, emphasizing mobile’s significance in marketing strategies
The global virtual goods market, driven by in-game marketing, is expected to reach $120 billion by 2025, indicating lucrative monetization avenues

Market Growth and Revenue Interpretation

With the global gaming industry vaulting to over a quarter-trillion dollars in 2023—fuelled by nearly $10 billion in advertising and captivating 2.8 billion mobile gamers—marketers are increasingly investing in virtual arenas, esports, and in-game ads, turning play into pay and proving that in this pixelated gold rush, every swipe, click, and sponsorship counts.