Gaming’s demographic reach: 36% of people ages 80 to 90 play video games | ESA

Every year, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) releases data that impresses us, with 64% of the U.S. population playing games — or 205.1 million gamers, up from 61%, or 196 million, a year ago. But the demographic reach of games is even more crazy, as 36% of the Silent Generation (ages 80 to 90) is now playing video games weekly. That’s some of the latest data in the annual report, Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry, from the ESA, which is the game industry’s trade group. It’s a gaming nation. While video games remain wildly popular among Generation Alpha (ages 5 to 12), with 83% playing video games weekly, the 2025 report reveals that America’s favorite pastime isn’t just child’s play, said Stanley Pierre-Louis, CEO of the ESA, in an interview with GamesBeat. “This year’s results provided a lot of great insights, as well as a few surprises in terms of the demographics,” Pierre-Louis said. “Nearly two thirds of Americans, ages five to 90, are playing vid ... Read full article.