The console gaming market is seeing fewer younger buyers in the US, and the existing demographic continues to get older, claims NPD analyst.
Mat Piscatella, Executive Director and Video Game Industry Analyst at Circana (NPD), took to Blue Sky to share that the high income households are becoming a bigger part of the US console hardware market, as 49% of the country’s game console buyers during the fourth quarter of 2024 has a household income of at least $100,000 per year. He added that this is a record high, beating the 48% seen during the fourth quarter of 2021. During the first quarter of 2020, this group accounted for only 29% of video game hardware purchasers in the US.
Piscatella further revealed that the demographic aged 45 and above accounted for 45% of purchasers in the US console market during the fourth quarter of 2024, which is a record high. Meanwhile, those below the age of 45 made up a record low 55% of console purchasers in the quarter. During the first quarter of 2020, this group accounted for 69% of game console market purchases, with 31% being the 45 or above demographic.
The NPD analyst noted that console buyers are getting old, but they also appear to be making more money. Though, the data doesn’t indicate which demographic these console purchases are being made for. Are those belonging to the age group of 45 and above buying consoles for themselves or their children? It’s likely to be both, but further context to this data would offer greater insight.
It’s no secret that GTA Online is extremely popular with teenagers. During a recent investor presentation, Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive revealed that mobile platforms were responsible for 52% of its revenue in fiscal year 2024, consoles contributed towards 40%, while PC and other platforms made up for just 8% of the company’s annual earnings. This data indicates that a vast majority of the younger GTA Online player base is still very much playing on consoles, as the game isn’t available on mobile.
