Welcome to our video game comprehensive guide! Here, we’re covering the top-selling video games and genres of 2023, global revenue, player statistics, esports stats, and fun facts. Read on to immerse yourself into the world of gaming.

Top-Selling Video Games and Genres

NES Tetris 

What Is the Best Selling Video Game of All Time?

Tetris has sold over 520 million units globally, establishing itself as the bestselling video game of all time.

The quintessential puzzle game created by Alexey Pajitnov has achieved unprecedented success in the gaming industry. While tracking Tetris sales proves challenging due to its various iterations and distribution methods, estimates reveal staggering figures. With nearly 70 million physical copies sold, including 35 million with the Game Boy release, and an additional 425 million paid downloads reported for the mobile app, Tetris dominates the gaming landscape. 

The availability of free versions further contributes to its immense popularity. The Tetris company has confirmed sales surpassing 520 million units worldwide, solidifying its status as the best selling game of all time.

What are the Top 10 Best Selling Video Games of All Time?

The top 10 best selling video games of all time are:

This list showcases the monumental success achieved by these titles across various platforms and genres. Tetris leads the pack with over 520 million units sold, followed by Minecraft with 238 million copies sold. Grand Theft Auto V, Wii Sports, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds also boast impressive sales figures, solidifying their places among the most iconic and commercially successful games in history. 

What Were the Best-Selling Video Games of 2023? 

Hogwarts Legacy (2023) Opening Title

The top-selling video games in 2023 were:

1. Hogwarts Legacy
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
3. Madden NFL 24
4. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
5. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
6. Diablo 4
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
8. Mortal Kombat 1
9. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
10. EA Sports FC 24

The top-selling video games of 2023 reflect a diverse array of genres and franchises that captured the attention of gamers worldwide. Leading the pack is Hogwarts Legacy, transporting players to the magical world of Harry Potter. Other notable titles include the latest installments in popular series such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Madden NFL 24, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Additionally, new releases like Diablo 4 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom received significant sales.

What Was the Top Console Game Genre in 2023? 

Adventure was the top console game genre in 2023.

In 2023, adventure emerged as the leading genre in the console gaming market, contributing significantly to overall revenue. This dominance is attributed to exclusive titles like Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and God of War Ragnarök, which are only available on console platforms. 

Adventure games are projected to account for 17.1% of console revenues for 2023, experiencing a positive growth trajectory of +6.9% year-on-year. While adventure games claim the top spot, sports games also maintain a strong presence in the console market, as evidenced by popular titles such as NBA 2K23, FIFA 23, MLB The Show 23, and Madden NFL 23 consistently ranking among the top earners in both the U.S. and U.K. markets.

What Was the Top PC Game Genre in 2023? 

Valorant Episode 3 Act 3 Homescreen

Shooter was the top PC game genre in 2023. 

In 2023, the shooter genre stands out as the leading revenue generator in the PC gaming market, surpassing other genres such as adventure, role-playing, battle royale, and strategy. Accounting for 14.1% of PC revenues, shooters are poised for a growth of +4.9% year-on-year, outpacing the overall PC market's growth rate of +1.6%. 

The genre's diverse offerings, ranging from team-based character shooters like Valorant and CS:GO to looter shooters like Destiny 2 and extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov, contribute to its widespread appeal among PC gamers. Notably, many of these games are exclusively available on PC or find a substantial player base within this segment. 

What Was the Top Mobile Phone Game Genre in 2023?

Role-playing games generated the most revenue on mobile in 2023.

In 2023, role-playing games emerged as the top revenue-generating genre on mobile devices, surpassing other genres such as puzzle, adventure, strategy, and idle games. Role-playing games accounted for a significant portion of mobile revenues, comprising 23% of the total earnings for the year. Much of the genre's success can be attributed to its immense popularity in key mobile markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea.

However, despite its dominance, the role-playing genre experienced a slight decline of -1.6% in revenue compared to the previous year. This decrease is partly attributed to challenges in user acquisition stemming from privacy changes implemented by Apple, which have impacted the entire mobile gaming market. 

What Was the Preferred Video Game Genre in the U.S. as of 2023? 

The preferred video game genres among U.S. consumers in 2023 are Action (e.g., platform games, fighting games) and Action-Adventure.

The preferred video game genres among consumers reflect a diverse range of gaming preferences. Topping the list are Action (e.g., platform games, fighting games) and Action-adventure, with 42% and 36% of respondents favoring these genres, respectively. This indicates a strong inclination towards fast-paced gameplay, thrilling challenges, and immersive narratives that characterize action-oriented and action-adventure games. Following closely behind are adventure games at 34%, followed by casual games at 31%. 

Global Video Game Industry Revenue

How Much is the Video Game Industry Worth Today?

In 2024, the Video Games market is projected to reach a revenue of $282.30 billion USD. 

Projections for the Video Games market indicate robust growth, with anticipated revenues reaching $282.30 billion USD in 2024. This forecast suggests continued expansion in the gaming industry, driven by factors such as technological advancements, increasing demand for gaming content, and the proliferation of gaming platforms and services. The market is expected to maintain its upward trajectory, with an annual growth rate of 8.76% projected between 2024 and 2027. By 2027, the Video Games market is estimated to reach a substantial market volume of $363.20 billion USD, underscoring its significance as a key sector in the global entertainment industry.

What Market Segment Holds the Largest Share in 2024?

Example of in-game advertising in Infamous 2 (2011)

Among all market segments, in-game advertising holds the largest share with a market volume of $109.60 billion USD in 2024.

In-game advertising emerges as the dominant market segment in 2024, boasting a substantial market volume of $109.60 billion USD. This showcases the growing significance of advertising within the gaming industry, as developers and publishers leverage in-game placements to monetize their content and engage with players. In-game advertising offers advertisers unique opportunities to reach a highly engaged audience within the gaming environment, driving significant revenues within the market segment. As gaming continues to evolve as a major form of entertainment, in-game advertising is expected to maintain its prominence and further contribute to the growth of the industry.

Which Country is Projected to Generate the Most Video Game Revenue in 2024?

In a global comparison, China is projected to generate the most revenue, with $94,490.00 million USD in 2024.

China emerges as the leading revenue generator in the global video games market, with projections indicating a substantial revenue of $94,490.00 million USD in 2024. This highlights China's significant influence and growing dominance within the gaming industry, fueled by a large population of gamers and a thriving gaming ecosystem. The Chinese market's immense potential attracts both domestic and international developers and publishers, making it a key battleground for gaming companies seeking to expand their presence and maximize revenues. 

What are the Top 5 Biggest Video Game Markets in the World?

China, U.S., Japan, Korea, and Germany are the largest video game markets in the world. 

The top five biggest video game markets in the world are China, the United States, Japan, Korea, and Germany. China leads the pack with 665 million gamers in 2020, translating to $40.85 billion in revenue for the same year. Despite a temporary slowdown in growth due to a 2018 license freeze, China's gaming market remained robust, posting a modest increase from $36.5 billion in 2019. 

Following closely, the United States boasts over 244 million gamers, with approximately three out of four Americans playing video games across various platforms. Japan reached nearly $19 billion in revenue in 2020. The Republic of Korea and Germany secured the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, with gaming markets valued at $6.56 billion and almost $6 billion each. 

What is the U.S. Video Game Market Worth in 2024?

Gamer playing Hearthstone (2014) on PC

The U.S. gaming market is currently worth $106.8 billion.

The US video game industry has experienced significant growth over the years, currently valued at $106.8 billion. This growth trajectory is evident from the industry's increased value in eight out of the last ten years, with its current value surpassing three times that of 2012, which stood at $31.23 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic further fueled this growth, as US gamers averaged 45% more time playing video games during the first week of the pandemic. This surge in gaming activity aligns with the global trend, as video game sales notably increased worldwide in March 2020. 

What is the Projected Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in the Video Games Market?

The ARPU in the video games market is projected to be $215.20 USD in 2024.

The projected average revenue per user of $215.20 USD in 2024 reflects the considerable economic value generated by individual gamers within the video games market. This metric is proof of the monetization potential within the gaming industry, demonstrating the willingness of players to spend on various gaming-related activities such as purchasing games, downloadable content, in-game items, subscriptions, and microtransactions. The ARPU figure serves as a key performance indicator for industry stakeholders, guiding strategic decisions related to pricing, marketing, and monetization strategies. 

What is the Projected Revenue of the Games Live Streaming Market by 2024?

The Games Live Streaming market is set to achieve a revenue of $13.65 billion USD by 2024.

The Games Live Streaming market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a substantial revenue of $13.65 billion USDby 2024. The projected annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2027) of 8.41% reflects the sustained momentum of the market, with an estimated market volume of $17.39 billion USD by 2027. As live streaming continues to evolve and innovate, fueled by advancements in technology and growing demand from both content creators and viewers, it is expected to emerge as a prominent segment within the broader gaming industry landscape.

Video Gamer Players Statistics

Two people holding PS4 controllers

How Many People Play Video Games Worldwide? 

2.42 billion people play video games worldwide as of 2023.

The global number of users in the 'Games' segment of the media market has been on a steady rise, reflecting the ever-increasing popularity and accessibility of video games across the globe. Between 2024 and 2029, forecasts indicate a continuous increase in the number of users, with a total addition of 0.4 billion users, representing a growth rate of +15.5%. This upward trend is expected to persist, culminating in an estimated 3.02 billion users by 2029, marking a new peak in user engagement within the gaming segment. 

What Percentage of Video Gamers in the U.S. are Female? 

In 2023, women accounted for 46% of gamers in the United States.

Nearly half of the gaming audience in the United States comprises women, constituting 46% of gamers as of 2023. The ownership of gaming consoles among women in the United States demonstrates a significant presence and engagement within the gaming community. Specifically, 41% of PlayStation 5s and 45% of Xbox Series X/S consoles are owned by women, and over half—52%—of Switch owners in the US are women.

What is the Average Age of Gamers in the U.S. in 2023?

The largest percentage of gamers in the U.S. are ages 30-39.

Contrary to the common belief that video games are primarily for teenagers, 29% of gamers in the U.S. fall into the 30-39 age group. 23% of gamers in the U.S. are in their twenties, and only 4% of gamers are 18-19 years old. The third largest group of gamers in the U.S. are ages 40-49 (21%). 

How Many Video Game Players Subscribe to Gaming Services?

52% of gamers subscribe to at least one gaming service, which accounts for around 1.61 billion gamers globally.

Console gamers exhibit a higher likelihood of subscribing to gaming services compared to PC gamers, with 74% of console gamers and 66% of PC gamers opting for subscriptions in the US. An estimated 2.29 billion console gamers and 2.04 billion PC gamers are likely to subscribe to gaming services globally.

Examining specific subscription services, Xbox Live boasts approximately 100 million users worldwide, demonstrating substantial growth from 39 million users in 2016. Similarly, Sony's PlayStation Plus has garnered nearly 50 million subscribers as of June 2022, more than doubling its user base from 20.8 million in 2016.

How Much Time Do Americans Spend Gaming Per Week?

25% of Americans spend 5 hours a week playing video games. 

25% of American video gamers report spending about 5 hours a week gaming. American millennials emerge as the most avid gamers, with 27% spending 13 or more hours gaming per week. This data sheds light on the gaming habits and preferences of Americans, indicating the varying degrees of engagement with video games across different age groups. 

Esports Viewership Statistics 

What is the Total Market Value of the Esports Industry?

The total market value of the esports industry is over $1.6 billion.

The esports industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with its market value surpassing $1.6 billion. Initially valued at $957.5 million in 2019, the industry has witnessed remarkable growth, reaching approximately $1.64 billion today, representing an increase of over 70% over the last four years. Despite facing challenges such as a pandemic-driven dip to $947.1 million, the esports industry has demonstrated resilience and continued expansion. 

What are the Most Popular Esports Competitions?

League of Legends World Championship (2023)

The most popular esports competitions are:

• League of Legends 2023 World Championship: This event became the most-watched esports event of all time, with a recorded 6.4 million peak viewers.
• Free Fire World Series 2021: Held in Singapore, this tournament garnered 5.41 million peak viewers, making it the second most-viewed esports event.

The esports market has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, attracting an increasing number of viewers eager to watch top gamers compete on a global stage. The League of Legends 2023 World Championship stands out as the most popular esports competition to date, setting a new record with a remarkable 6.4 million peak viewers. Following closely is the Free Fire World Series 2021, held in Singapore, which garnered 5.41 million peak viewers, solidifying its position as one of the most-watched esports events globally. 

How Big is the Worldwide Esports Audience?

The worldwide esports audience comprises 234 million enthusiasts and 240 million occasional viewers as of 2021.

The global esports audience has experienced significant growth, with 234 million enthusiasts and 240 million occasional viewers in 2021. These figures are projected to continue increasing in the coming years, reflecting the growing popularity and engagement with esports worldwide. The enthusiasts and viewers are distributed across various regions, with the Asia Pacific region emerging as a key hotspot for esports activity. In the United States, approximately 13.4% of internet users watched esports in 2021, and this figure is expected to rise to 15.5% by 2023. 

How Much Revenue Do the Top-Earning Esports Organizations Make?

The top-earning esports organization makes over $90 million.

Enthusiast Gaming emerged as the top-earning esports organization in 2020, generating approximately $95 million in revenue, which was more than double that of any other esports organization. TSM secured the second position with $45 million in revenue, followed by FaZe Clan with $40 million, rounding off the top three. In total, five esports organizations generated more than $25 million in revenue last year. 

Video Games Fun Facts and Trivia

Picture of Tetris being played on the Game Boy

What Was the First Video Game Console Played in Space?

Game Boy was the first video game console played in space.

Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr A. Serebrov made history by becoming the first person to play a video game in space. During his trip to the MIR Space Station in 1993, Serebrov brought along a Game Boy and his personal copy of Tetris. The game accompanied him on the Soyuz TM-17 rocket, launching on 1 July 1993. During his leisure time while orbiting the planet, Serebrov enjoyed playing Tetris on the Game Boy. 

What is the Longest-Running Video Game of All Time? 

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate holds the title for the longest-running video game.

With an average completion time of approximately 693 hours, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate demands a significant investment of time and dedication from players. This staggering duration underscores the depth and complexity of the game, as well as its ability to captivate players for extended periods. 

How Big is the Largest Video Game Collection in the World?

Antonio Romero Monteiro surrounded by his video game collection during interview with Forbes

The biggest video game collection has a library of over 20,000 games.

The Guinness World Record for the largest collection of video games was awarded to Antonio Romero Monteiro of Richmond, Texas. His collection boasts an impressive library of over 20,000 titles, making it one of the most extensive collections in the world. Monteiro's collection includes complete North American libraries for various consoles such as PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, GameCube, and Dreamcast. 

Additionally, it features games for more obscure consoles like the TurboGrafx-16, 3DO, Neo Geo Pocket, Sega Pico, and Atari Lynx, among others. Monteiro's collection also includes over 100 consoles, allowing him to play each and every game in his vast library. The process of counting Monteiro's collection was so extensive that it took officials eight days to complete.

Who Created the First Video Game?

Tennis for Two (1958)

Physicist William Higinbotham is credited with creating the first video game.

In October 1958, Physicist William Higinbotham developed what is believed to be the first video game. This groundbreaking creation was a simple tennis game, called Tennis for Two, is reminiscent of the classic 1970s video game Pong. Higinbotham unveiled his creation at a Brookhaven National Laboratory open house, where it garnered significant attention and acclaim.

Sources

• Digital Trends
• Statista: Best-selling video games in the US
• Statista: Preferred video game genre in the US
• Statista: Video games worldwide
• Statista: Games live streaming worldwide
• Statista: Number of video game users worldwide
• Statista: Distribution of video game users in the US by age
• Statista: Leading Esports tournaments worldwide
• NewZoo
• Finances Online
• IBIS World
• Circana
• Entertainment Software Association
• Exploding Topics- Number of Gamers
• Exploding Topics- Esports Statistics
• CenturyLink
• Guinness World Records
• FactsNet