Video Game Statistics: Trends and Predictions [2023]

Video games’ popularity has increased exponentially, with over 5 million existing worldwide, providing entertainment to different generations.

With the evolution of the gaming industry throughout the years from arcade, console, computer, and now even on mobile phones, players worldwide can play with their friends online or offline. 

To help you get to know more about the industry, we’ve gathered the most relevant statistics about Video Games in terms of:

• Market growth
• Per country key stats
• Record-breaking sales,
• Players Demographics

Let’s dive in!

Highlights of the Article

• Video Game industry is expected to reach $268 billion by 2025.
• Mobile Gaming is the biggest digital gaming segment, with over $150 billion in annual revenue by 2022.
• In 2020, the Government of India banned 118 applications, including PUBG citing security reasons.
• Video game statistics for 2021 confirm that almost 39% of Apex Legends players come from the US.
• Minecraft is the best-selling game globally, with over 200 million games sold in 2021.
• Pokémon is the highest-grossing franchise, with $100 billion in total revenue in 2021.
• As video game-playing statistics show, CS: GO had the most concurrent players on Steam in 2023, with over 1.2 million.
• 2021 Apex Legends stats show that Apex Legends has around 22.6 million active players.

Video Game Market Growth

Purchases and subscriptions from 3.09 billion active video gamers worldwide are the most significant contributors to the market’s growth – making it one of the fastest-growing industries. 

Take a look at the overwhelming Video Game revenue statistics from a global perspective.

1. The video game industry is expected to reach $268 billion by 2025.

(WEPC)

The growth of the Gaming industry for the previous years has been very overwhelming, and the latest statistics show that the market’s value is at $178.73 billion in 2021. 

The market grew by 14.4% from 2020, and the Video Game industry is expected to rise by $268 billion in market value by 2025. 

2. Asia Pacific Region gained 48% of the global gaming market in 2022.

(Statista)

In 2022, the world gaming market was set to be worth greater than $184 billion, and experts forecasted that the Asia Pacific Region shares 48% of the global games market. 

North America follows Asia Pacific Region with a 26% market share. 

3. Mobile Gaming is the biggest digital gaming segment, with over $150 billion in annual revenue by 2022.

(Statista)

Mobile games are the most significant digital gaming segment worldwide in the Video Gaming industry, with over $150 billion in revenue, more significant than the console and PC combined. 

China ranks first in the biggest single gaming revenue with $90.21 billion, followed by the US, then Japan 

Fun Fact

In 2021, due to the growing demands in Mobile Gaming, Google Play added almost 50,000 new games for Android users.

Among the games found in GPlay, roughly 477,877 are mobile game applications.

Video Game Statistics By Country

The Video Game industry is a global village where games reach every player worldwide. Several sought-after games made ground-breaking records in some parts of the world.

Get to know which Video Games made a hallmark in some of the biggest consumers of video gaming worldwide.

4. In 2020, the government of India banned 118 applications, including PUBG citing security reasons.

(Sports Keeda)

One of the most popular games for PC and mobile in India is PUBG. Sadly, the game was banned in India in September 2020 due to its violence.

However, the newer version of the game called BGMI is now available in Play Store. Changes to the graphics include green blood and an update on the player’s account system.

Fun Fact

As of 2023, PUBG supports cross-platform, allowing over 16.7 million PUBG players in Xbox One to play with their friends in PC mode.

5. Video game statistics for 2021 confirm that almost 39% of Apex Legends players come from the US.

(PlayerCounter)

The Apex Legends game is rising from May 2021 because of its exciting gameplay and awesome graphics. Most of its players are from the US, with a 38.92% player base.

The United Kingdom comes second, with 7.2%, followed by Russia, with 5.8%.

6. Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is Japan’s top-selling video game in 2023, with 66,070 unit sales.

(Statista)

The Japanese market is more interested in video games that feature cute gaming characters and adventure-oriented games rather than shooting and violence, which most countries prefer.

Following Kirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxe is Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection with 64,190.

7. FIFA 23 is the top-selling video game in the UK in April 2023, with 2,530 510 unit sales.

(Statista)
The United Kingdom is Europe’s leading video game market, with 44.37 million gamers. These players are so invested in the best-selling video game franchise – FIFA.

In April 2023, FIFA 23 claimed the number one spot for the top-selling video game in the UK, followed by Call of Duty: Warfare II and Elden Ring.

8. Russia has the most CS: GO players, 11.65% of the total in 2021.

(Talk Esport)

CS: GO is undoubtedly one of the biggest competitive shooting games worldwide, and most of its players are from one of the superpower countries in terms of ammunition and war power.

The United States follows, with 10.66% of CS: GO’s total player numbers. The third place is Poland, with 5.32% of the players.

Video Game Sales Statistics 

The success of the Video Gaming Industry heavily relies on the sales and revenue of each variety of popular games available worldwide.

Look at the revenue of some of the most popular games in the world.

9. Minecraft stats show Minecraft is one of the best-selling games globally, with over 200 million games sold in 2021.

(Statista, Gaming Gorilla, 24/7 Wall St.)

Minecraft is a popular 3D game that allows players to build and craft items within their virtual world, and there were recorded 141 million active players worldwide in April 2021. 

In addition, the game’s revenue is also one of the biggest in the gaming industry, with around $3 million earned from game sales.

10. Honor of Kings is the Top Grossing Game in 2022 with $1.65 billion in revenue.

(Business of Apps, Honor of Kings)

The Honor of Kings just snatched the title from PUBG Mobile, the title holder for the Top Grossing Games from 2019-2022, which has been in third place – following Genshin Impact.

The top-grossing game is a 5v5 MOBA with 100 million average users recorded in 2020, making Honor of Kings the top social entertainment choice in China. 

11. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold 45.33 million copies worldwide in March 2023.

(Statista, TitleMax)

Mario is one of the most recognizable characters globally, and it is the best-selling video games franchise with 760 million copies sold, accounting for $30.25 billion in sales following Pokemon. 

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe holds the highest sales from its first release in 2017, with 45.33 million copies making it the top Mario game based in sales.

12. The most expensive game sold is a copy of Super Mario 3 in 2020, which cost $156,000.

(Input)

An unopened copy of Super Mario 3 was bought in an auction in November 2020 for $156,000. It broke the World Record for the most expensive individual game ever sold. 

The Super Mario Bros franchise has proved that it is among the most popular video game franchises ever. The game also held the previous record amounting to $114,000.

13. Pokémon is the highest-grossing franchise, with $100 billion in total revenue in 2021.

(Howchoo, TitleMax)

Within just one year, the revenue of Pokemon has reached $100 billion in 2021 from $90 billion in 2020. Pokémon has just stood on its slogan, “Gonna get ‘em all,” especially in sales. 

Pokémon merchandise makes almost ⅔ of the total revenue. This is possible because of the Pokémon game and anime series popularity. 

Video Game Players Statistics

Over a billion players worldwide come from different backgrounds and walks of life. Video Gaming has become an intrinsic part of every gamer’s life. 

After delving into the revenue, market size, and sales of the Video Gaming industry –  look at the demographics of gamers worldwide. 

14. Fortnite age demographics show that 62.7% of Fortnite players were between 18 and 24 in 2022.

(Business of Apps)

Fortnite has become popular due to its cartoonish styles, which generally appeal to young gamers more than adults.

It is suited for 13 years old and above with a Self-Regulatory Organization rating of “T.” 

The next largest age group is between 25 and 34 with 22.5%, followed by 35-44 years old and 45+ with a combined percentage of 2.01%.

15. CS: GO had the most concurrent players on Steam in 2023, with over 1.2 million.

(Statista, Steam Charts)

CS: GO is one of the biggest names among online video games; it had the most concurrent players on Steam last May 2023, with 1,202,900 players. 

The data shows an increase of 397,795 players, compared to 805,105 active players from February 2023. 

16. Apex Legend had 701,200 active players in February 2022 across the platforms.

(Sportskeeda)

Although Apex Legends player stats numbers were smaller than those of some battle royal games, such as Fortnite, they are still on the rise. 

In its inception in 2019, the game reached over 50 million players worldwide, only using Twitch and Youtube Streamers to promote the game. 

Wrapping Up

The Video Game market growth increases year after year. The industry thrives by adapting to the developments of technology and the market’s growing demand. 

Although several OG Video Games exist today, they have become part of every player’s life. It would be best to always play in moderation because playing too much can result in addiction.