The ESA's Power of Play report paints a portrait of the the world's gamers

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has released its "Power of Play" report, which provides insights into the global gaming community. The report surveyed over 24,000 individuals aged 16 and above who play video games at least weekly. The key findings include: 1. The average age of the respondents is 41 years old, and the gender split is nearly even between men and women, challenging the perception that gaming is just for children. 2. The top benefits reported by gamers include mental stimulation (81%), stress relief (80%), increased happiness (73%), and reduced feelings of isolation (64%). 3. While having fun is the primary reason for playing (66%), gamers also reported improvements in creativity (77%), problem-solving (76%), cognitive skills, and teamwork (74%). 4. Mobile gaming remains highly popular, with 55% of respondents identifying it as their preferred platform, including 61% of those over 50 years old. The report paints a diverse and nuanced picture of the global gaming community, highlighting the broad appeal and benefits of video games across different age groups and genders.