Gaming and entertainment have become part of our lives since they became widely played in the early 1950s.
Starting from the early arcade games, the gaming industry has been dramatically enhanced to suit a better user experience. Many gaming companies develop incredible graphics and consoles, offering an immersive experience.
The evolution of gaming has sped from what it used to be to platforms like Twitch and YouTube, paving the way for streaming video games online and a social platform where gamers worldwide can connect. Based on Statista’s report, the global gaming industry is now worth $365.60 billion.
Gaming Between the Two Generations: An Overview
Millennials are the first generation of gamers and are the most potent gamer audience. According to ExpressVPN’s article, Millennials are more hooked on gaming than Gen Z. They have dedicated more time and money to gaming today than any other generation.
According to the article, Millennials are more likely to play video games daily, with 68% admitting to doing so. This is unsurprising as they are the generation that witnessed the huge digital transformation that was a significant part of their childhood and identity.
However, we may see more generations like Gen X and Baby Boomers take up gaming and make the gamer audience more diverse than it used to be.
How Important is Gaming to Both Generations?
Aside from just gameplay, there are other ways Millennials have engaged with video game content. SuperData’s new report shows that 77% of Millennial gamers also watch video game-related content, discuss the latest developments in community spaces, listen to podcasts, and talk about video games with their friends and family.
In today’s gaming world, as it pertains to Gen Z, there are other reasons why they pay attention to gaming considering the world’s technological advancement. Some of these reasons include socializing, viewing, and community engagement which is contributed mainly by the Millennials.
Although Gen Z and Millennials have a significant generational gap, the younger generation is beginning to form a deep connection with gaming through community building and social engagement. More than three in four Gen Z game players regularly watch video games, a few percent increase over Millennials.
Rockconnect blog reports that Twitch has introduced “Generation Twitch,” which is made up of an audience that spans Millennials and Generation Z. With this, we can see that Twitch has become a platform that is not built solely to chat about games, but a place where both Millennials and Gen Z build online communities, unified by common interests.
The Future is Still Bright
The future of the video game industry is still bright because consumer demand for a better gaming experience is constantly increasing as technology is rapidly advancing, and new monetization models are taking off in the gaming market.
Irrespective of the generational gap or difference, gamers are gaining a more substantial presence in virtual reality worlds, known as the metaverse, than other consumers. We may only be seeing a scratch of an emerging market.
