Compared with Q2 2021, younger people are spending less time gaming, according to Ampere Games’ latest wave of consumer research. By contrast, older generations are playing for longer, with respondents in the 55-64 age group reporting an increase of 25% in the time they spent playing games in the week prior.

Spending also declines among younger groups as social calendars recover

During the second quarter of this year, the UK was still enduring some measure of lockdown, with limits on social activities gradually being eased. By Q4, however, lockdown had been fully lifted; inevitably, people began to re-engage with other forms of media and entertainment that were previously out of reach. This likely played a significant role in the 22% decline in average monthly spend on games for 16-24 year olds. 

As with time spent playing, spend among older groups also increased, with particular emphasis on physical full games. This is a sign of consumers returning to high streets and shopping centres: physical shopping (rather than the online variety) is itself is more prevalent and established among older generations. This demographic is more inclined to follow traditional spending patterns, such as purchasing hard copies of games, and gifting, something which will also be ramping up as the festive period approaches.