The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) recently released its report. The report reveals that Aussies spent $3.96 billion on video games in 2021. The IGEA selected 3,152  individuals of all ages. 

1,204 Australian households participated in the study. Bond University worked in conjunction with the IGEA. GSD and Newzoo are consumer sales trackers who provide the IGEA with information. Stick around for a breakdown of the report.

Main Reasons for the Growth of Video Gaming in Australia

The COVID-19 Pandemic

The lockdown saw people seek entertainment, communication, and social connection sources. Video games have chatroom features where people interact and make new friends. The report shows that 70% of video gamers lived in areas under lockdown during the pandemic.

Mental Benefits

Aussies now prefer playing video games to watching television. Video games are no longer a hobby. Players who communicated with others during the pandemic were 22%. Such communications reduced the feeling of isolation. 

Social Benefits

The percentage of parents playing video games with their children was 49%. A third of players made new friends through video games. 74% of players used video games to keep in touch with friends and family members.

Trends and Advances in Mobile Games

These games are quick and easy to play, and people of all ages can enjoy them. Multiplayer games such as Fortnite and Call of Duty are now widespread. 

Online Casino Games and Gambling

The economic blow brought by the pandemic saw Aussies turn to gamble as a source of income. In 2021, prominent Australian online casinos recorded the highest number of players. Australians spent $96 million on casino games, up from $79 million in 2016. 

The Release of the New Playstation 5 and Xbox Consoles in 2020

Aussies spent $536 million on consoles and gaming accessories, up from $396 million in 2016. These consoles are more powerful than ever before. They offer a great way to experience the latest games. The PlayStation 5 revolutionized the gaming industry. It had the highest market point of all consoles in 2021.

The Influence of Video Games on Creativity

People get creative in various ways:

• Making the games
• Updating scenes and themes to keep the games relevant
• Creating modded versions of the games
• Sales and marketing for the gaming companies
• Hosting live streams 
• Organizing and hosting concerts in-game

Demographics of Australian Gamers

• The average age for gamers in Australia is 35 years
• The gamers have been playing video games for 12 years of their lives
• They spend an average of 83 minutes each day playing video games
• Most play in the evening
• More than half are females
• Retired adults played for an average of 61 minutes a day
• Almost half of the players use online gaming services
• Half of the adult players watch esport online 

Breakdown of the $3.96 Billion

$1.51 Billion on Mobile Games

Mobile games took the bulk of the expenditure. This predominance is due to the increase in the gaming power of smartphones. Mobile phones are the second most common devices used to play games. 54% of users have a game installed.

Mobile Games Played by Aussies in 2021

• Aussies spent $693 million on Fortnite
• $96 million on Call of Duty, a popular first-person shooter game
• Framed
• The Voxel Agents
• Crossy Road
• One More Line
• Fruit Ninja
• Bonza Word Puzzle

$1.41 Billion Went to Digital Games

Full Games

Aussies spent $566 million on full games.

In-Game Purchases

These required $687 million and included:

• Virtual currencies
• Cosmetic items
• Game add-ons
• Microtransactions

Subscription Services

$162 million spent on:

• PlayStation Plus
• Nintendo Switch Online
• Xbox Game Pass
• Apple Arcade
• Fortnite Crew

$1.07 Billion on Traditional Physical Video Game

Out of this sum, $560 million went towards hardware.

Consoles That Aussies Spent Money On

• PlayStation 5 recorded the best sales of all the consoles
• Xbox Series S/X
• Nintendo Switch, especially following the launch of Switch OLED
• Popular from switch
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Minecraft: Switch Edition,
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons

$131 million went to first-party peripherals, including:

• Screen protectors
• Batteries
• Chargers
• Controllers

$378 Million went to purchasing the game software. The expenditure on PC games saw an 11.5% rise from the previous reports.

What Does the Future Hold?

Online gaming will stay popular in 2022 and in the years to come despite the lifting of lockdowns. Some of the technological advances contributing to this are:

• The Metaverse
• 3D Animation
• Virtual reality
• Cloud gaming
• Gesture control
• Artificial intelligence

Final Thoughts

The Australian video game industry is booming and will only continue to grow in the future. The rise in popularity of video games is one of the lasting effects of the covid-19 pandemic. Mobile game microtransactions, catalogue games, and digital games are significant areas of spending. If you’re looking for a great way to spend your time, you should consider playing some video games.