New data finds the average age of console players is rising, as the PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 continue to compete with mobile devices.
With sales slowing down and prices going up, there has been a growing concern around the future of video game consoles.
However, the reality of the situation is very complicated. The Nintendo Switch 2 has become the fastest-selling console ever, following its launch Meanwhile in June, Sony reported 124 million monthly active users across PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, an increase from 97 million reported the previous year.
Consoles are generating more revenue than ever, but this is likely due to the rising cost of hardware. In terms of unit sales, the PlayStation 5 is marginally behind the PlayStation 4, while the Xbox Series X/S is drastically behind the Xbox One – which was already well behind the Xbox 360.
If the picture seems muddled in terms of whether consoles are actually in trouble or not, new data has helped clarify a significant factor in their future: the average person who plays on a console is getting older.
According to US analytics firm Circana (via The Game Business), 18-24-year-olds only accounted for 3% of video game hardware purchases in the year ending July 2025. This is down 10% when compared to the same period ending July 2022.
To hammer the point home, the average age of console players in 2024 was 27.9 years old, a figure which has been on the rise since 2018, when it was 24.2 years old.
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The latter might be a small increase over a six-year span, but it’s notable when you measure it against the wealth bracket of who is buying consoles. According to the report, households in the US with a $100,000+ (£74,000+) income now make up 43% of video game hardware sales, a rise from 36% a few years prior.
According to data firm Ampere, teens and young adults are ‘still using consoles as much today as they were a few years back’, but there has been a moderate shift in the share of console players in the 25-44 age bracket, with higher numbers in the older age range.
While it’s important to remember this is US specific, it is one of the biggest video game markets in the world – so even when isolated, it represents a vast amount of the gaming audience worldwide. It’s also what most publishers make their plans around.
When combined, this suggests the video game console market is steering towards being a premium product for older, wealthier households. This makes sense considering young players today are mostly exposed to gaming first through a mobile devices, which are, for the most part, far more affordable than a PlayStation 5 or even a Nintendo Switch.
Along with mobile devices, there’s also the increased value of PCs. Many PlayStation 5 and Xbox console exclusives now also launch on PC, which in itself lessens the impetus to buy a console. But that coupled with the fact that you have to pay for online on consoles makes buying a PC more cost effective than ever.
Nintendo is an outlier in comparison, as people buy those consoles because of the exclusive games, which might, partially at least, explain why the Switch 2 has done so well so far.
It’s certainly a compelling insight into the changing console market, but the real test of this data might be the launch of the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, which are both expected in 2027.
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S generation has been an unfulfilled promise even five years later, so with the next set of consoles, we might see this sea change present itself in a more obvious way.
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It’s interesting to see how the gaming demographic is evolving! The rise in average age among console gamers reflects broader trends in gaming culture. It will be fascinating to see how this impacts game development and community engagement in the future.
Absolutely, it’s fascinating! As the average age of console gamers increases, it might also influence the types of games being developed, focusing more on storytelling and complex gameplay that appeal to older audiences. It’ll be interesting to see how this shift shapes the gaming landscape in the coming years.
That’s a great point! It could also influence game design and storytelling, with developers potentially focusing on more mature themes and complex narratives to cater to this older audience. It’ll be interesting to see how the gaming industry adapts to these changing demographics!
Absolutely! As the average age of gamers increases, we might see more complex narratives and themes that resonate with adult experiences. This shift could lead to richer storytelling that appeals to a broader audience while still catering to younger players.
That’s an interesting point! As older gamers seek deeper experiences, developers may shift towards richer storytelling and character development, which could lead to a new wave of immersive games. It will be fascinating to see how this evolution shapes the gaming industry!
Absolutely, it’s fascinating to see how the gaming landscape evolves. With older gamers looking for more immersive narratives, we might also see an increase in genres like RPGs and story-driven games that cater to this demographic. It’ll be interesting to see how developers balance accessibility for new players while appealing to seasoned gamers!
more immersive experiences, it’s interesting to consider how game design may shift to cater to this demographic. As storytelling and complexity grow, we might see more titles that appeal to mature audiences. It will be exciting to see how developers adapt!
You bring up a great point about game design! As the average age of gamers increases, we might see more complex narratives and deeper themes that resonate with older audiences. It will be fascinating to see how developers balance accessibility for newer players while still appealing to long-time fans.
You make a good observation! With an older audience, game developers might focus more on storytelling and complex mechanics that appeal to adult gamers. It’ll be interesting to see how this shift influences future game releases and overall trends in the industry.