Video games are a hugely popular hobby. They can be played online or offline, and are accessible to everyone. Many people play them for fun, but some also earn money. The video game industry has seen a massive boom in recent years, with a predicted 6% annual growth between 2020 and 2024. If you are interested in learning more about the gaming community, you can find out more by checking out the demographics of gamers.

Gamers can be found all over the world, but they all have specific characteristics. For example, some games are more popular with younger gamers than with older ones, while others may be better suited for a more mature audience. In general, the demographics of gamers can be divided into three main categories, each with a unique personality.

Solo gamers, or ‘one-man-band’, will always be an important part of the gamer community. However, a small percentage of gamers will also prefer to play with a friend or family member. Millennial gamers, who are ages 18-29, spend comparatively less time playing than older generations, but still spend a lot of time watching videos on YouTube. This is because they do not care as much about the social aspect of the hobby. Instead, they focus on playing casual games.

Another category of gamers is the ‘Ultimate Gamer’. These gamers will be able to spend a lot of time playing a variety of games. The ultimate gamer persona has the most age range. While this persona is more likely to be male, it is also one of the largest groups of gamers in the US.

A third of all gamers are called ‘Enthusiasts’. This group of gamers are avid consumers of games, and also have a passion for keeping up with news and industry developments. Some will even have a full-time job to fund Day 1 releases of video games.

Other groups include ‘Time Fillers’ and ‘Bargain Buyers’. A quarter of the population fits into these two categories, while a third of gamers play only if they have a short amount of time to kill. Those in this category have a preference for quickie games on mobile devices.

Lastly, there are ‘Killers’. This group is characterized by high level of competitiveness, and often employs ingenious hacks or playful teasing. They are known for their disruptive influence on gaming, and aren’t afraid to make a move to get ahead.

Unlike the previous three groups, single-player gamers are more likely to stick to a particular type of game. They are not as involved as Ultimate gamers, but they are very committed to their interests. Single-player gamers usually purchase a few games to increase their immersion, and then stick to them.

The next most common genres are puzzle games and action games. Battle Royale drops out of the top three, while Casual Games and Arcade games also make the list. When it comes to the type of games you prefer, the Bartle taxonomy suggests you fall into either of these categories.