As the gaming industry has continuously expanded, have you ever wondered: how many video games are there in the world?
From the early days to our 21st century, and specifically in 2024, the answer to the global video game numbers in this article may surprise you with its extent.
As you continue reading to uncover this number, remember that it isn’t merely a matter of curiosity. It holds practical significance for developers, players, and investors alike.
So, let’s dive in to find out the scale of the gaming world!
The Evolution of Gaming: A Quick Recap
The world of gaming has undergone a significant evolution with the enhancement in technology and innovation over time.
Let’s take a quick look to recap some key milestones!
1948-1970
The early inception of the gaming industry. Some simple games as simulations were developed, such as Nimrod (1951) and Tennis for Two (1958).
1971-1978
The video game industry officially started after the release of Ralph Baer’s “Brown Box”, which led to the commercial launch of the Magnavox Odyssey (1972).
1978-1982
The introduction of home consoles like the Atari VCS and Odyssey2 brought gaming to households, which led to more people playing games.
1980s
Gaming diversified with the emergence of gaming computers and handheld systems, featuring iconic titles like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda.
1990s
Big companies like Nintendo and Sega released consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Master System, which made gaming more popular.
1993-2006
Gaming technology advanced with the introduction of 3D games on consoles like the PlayStation and Nintendo 64.
Late 1990s to Early 2000s
Online gaming became popular with games like World of Warcraft, and people started playing games on mobile phones like the Nokia 6110.
Mid to Late 2000s
The introduction of innovative consoles like the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii revolutionized gaming experiences.
2010s
Mainstream adoption of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, alongside the expansion of online gaming communities and the rise of esports.
2020s (up to present)
Launch of next-generation consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, along with the continued expansion of cloud gaming and subscription-based services.
From the early days of simple simulations to the advancements in technology, the gaming market has continually expanded its boundaries. The rise in online gaming, mobile gaming, and consoles has introduced gamers to numerous gaming titles with more experiences, immersion, and challenges.
Methodology for Counting Video Games
In order to provide accurate results when counting video games, we’ve taken the resources from reliable reports, huge game databases, developer submissions, and gaming platforms such as Steam, and PlayStation Store, etc.
However, challenges arise to keep accurate gaming statistics.
Some factors that can affect the accuracy include small games made by indie developers that don’t always get put in big lists. Moreover, games released on multiple platforms or only in certain regions contribute to the complexity.
The 2024 Global Video Game Tally
Note: Worldwide gaming is vast and constantly changing, so it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact number of video games available. Factors such as the overlap between platforms and the abundance of indie games can add complexity to finding the exact number. Therefore, you should take our statistics as useful insights but remember they’re just a snapshot in this ever-evolving world of gaming.
So, how many video games are there?
According to our research, there are around 1 million games in the world. These games come in various genres, platforms, and distribution methods, which cater to a wide range of players globally.
As developers from both indie studios and AAA studios come up with more than 10,000 games each year, the total number of global games is expected to be much higher by the end of 2024.
Games by Platform
Here is the breakdown of the number of games available across different platforms based on statistics from Webtribunal:
| Platform | Number of Games |
|---|---|
| Steam | 67,821 |
| GOG | 4,333 |
| Ubisoft Store | 265 |
| Nintendo Switch | 12,062 |
| PlayStation 4 | 5,366 |
| PlayStation 5 | 974 |
| Xbox | 3,059 |
| App Store | 288,153 |
| Google Play Store | 449,490 |
Games Revenue By Segment
Here are the game revenue statistics for different segments from 2022 to 2023, based on research from 300mind and Newzoo:
| Segments | Revenue (2022) | Revenue (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Gaming | $91.8 billion | $90.5 billion |
| Console Gaming | $52.2 billion | $53.1 billion |
| PC Gaming | $36.5 billion | $40.3 billion |
| Total | $180.5 billion | $183.9 billion |
Obviously, the majority of total gaming revenue comes from mobile games (57% in 2022, 49% in 2023). This indicates the profitability of this segment and highlights it as an attractive investment opportunity for developers and game publishing.
Most Loved Game Genres
Not all game genres can create sustainable revenue for those who created them. Therefore, it’s crucial to identify the most popular game genres among players to open revenue-generation opportunities for video game development.
According to Statista, here are the favored game genres regularly played by players in the US in 2022:
| Game Genre | Percentage of Players |
|---|---|
| Puzzle | 65% |
| Arcade & Other | 57% |
| Skill & Chance | 46% |
| Action | 43% |
| Shooter | 42% |
| Simulation | 41% |
| RPG & Narrative | 41% |
| Strategy | 40% |
| Racing & Vehicle Simulation | 38% |
| Fighting | 30% |
| Sport | 28% |
How Many People Play Video Games
Going along with the rapid increase in the number of game titles to adapt to players’ demands, can you imagine how many gamers there are in the world?
The following statistics indicate how the number of people playing video games has changed over the years, based on research from Explodingtopics:
| Year | Number of Gamers | Increase Over Previous Year | Increase Over Previous Year (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2.03 billion | – | – |
| 2016 | 2.17 billion | 140 million | ↑ 6.9% |
| 2017 | 2.33 billion | 160 million | ↑ 7.37% |
| 2018 | 2.49 billion | 160 million | ↑ 6.87% |
| 2019 | 2.64 billion | 150 million | ↑ 6.02% |
| 2020 | 2.81 billion | 170 million | ↑ 6.44% |
| 2021 | 2.96 billion | 150 million | ↑ 5.34% |
| 2022 | 3.09 billion | 130 million | ↑ 4.39% |
| 2023 | 3.22 billion | 130 million | ↑ 4.21% |
| 2024 | 3.32 billion | 100 million | ↑ 3.11% |
If you’re wondering what country plays the most video games, the answer is China, with over 699.6 million gamers in 2024.
Another interesting note is that there is no significant difference in the ratio between male gamers and female gamers worldwide in 2023, which are 53% and 46%, respectively. (according to Statista’s report, with 1% not providing an answer).
Factors Contributing to the Surge in Video Games
As video game production has constantly evolved in our dynamic landscape, there must have been reasons behind this surge.
Firstly, ongoing improvements in hardware and software allow developers to create more stunning, immersive, and sophisticated games.
Indie game developers and studios have contributed their fresh ideas and innovation to the industry through diverse creations.
As more and more people play video games, their demands become diverse, too. Thus, developers are under pressure to cater to these needs with various game genres, styles, and themes.
Moreover, gamers now have playgrounds for them to share and connect with others through social media, communities, and forums. This attracts more types of gamers and fosters the growth of online gaming communities.
While Covid-19 may have passed, its profound impacts remain. Lockdown and social distancing measures have created habits for people to spend more time at home. That led to an increase in their demand for entertainment, including video games.
The Impact of the Growing Game Library
As more video games are being released daily, we can’t deny its impact across various aspects of the gaming industry.
As for players, the growing game library offers them more choices with various genres, narratives, themes, characters, etc. While this abundance of options includes a vast of enjoyable experiences, it’s challenging for players to explore and try all the games to find out which title best aligns with their preferences.
On the other side, developers have their own difficulties. As there are more games in the market, the competition becomes even fiercer. Thus, developers have to invest more resources in production, marketing, and promotion to ensure their games stand out among vast titles.
Despite all these challenges, the growing game counts have continued to contribute to the gaming industry. It fosters innovation, economic expansion, and cultural influence.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Gaming
One thing that is certain to happen in the future is that the number of games will continue to increase.
Going along with the increase in numbers, the quality of games will also be enhanced in various ways.
One prominent way that should be mentioned is the integration of emerging technologies into video game development, such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, or even cloud gaming.
Many games with these enhancements will be offered in the market, which provide players with an immersive and interactive gameplay experience.
Soon, we will experience the gaming world where we step into fantastical worlds, interact with virtual environments, and connect with players across the globe like never before.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings to the vast number of games nowadays, the game industry has undergone a long period with lots of transformation.
Although it’s hard to indicate exactly how many games are there in the world, we’re now experiencing a diverse gaming market.
As we look ahead, the possibilities for gaming are endless with emerging technologies. If you’ve wondered which path the game industry can lead us to in the future, well, we may not have the exact answer for that.
All you can do is join in this exciting journey, and gradually, the endless adventure will open up new horizons where the only limit is your imagination.
As you’ve walked through this article, we would love to hear from you!
Let’s share your thoughts on the future of gaming in the comments below.
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