Summary
A recent survey made by theEntertainment Software Association (ESA)revealed that most kids in the United States want gaming-related products as Christmas gifts, but the vast majority of them prefer in-game cash or game subscriptions instead of actual games. This is indicative of changing trends in the gaming industry, asonline multiplayer titles have become popular with children, and subscription services have risen in popularity in the last few years.
The ESA is an organization that unites some of the most important companies in the US gaming industry. Its recent survey interviewed over 500 children from ages 10 to 17 and was not solely focused on games. However, it found out that gaming-related gifts are the most likely present young people will ask for Christmas, being a more popular pick than gift cards, clothes and accessories, or non-gaming tech items.
According to the ESA’s survey, 72% of all the interviewed children want game-related products for Christmas. From these products,game subscriptionslead the survey, with 39% of all kids interested in getting them. They are closely followed with 38% of the interviewed wanting consoles. 32% of the kids wish to receive game accessories, and 29% are more interested in getting in-game currency. What may be more surprising is that only 22% of the kids desired physical games, which is a surprisingly low number, considering how popular this kind of gift used to be just a few years ago.
What US Kids Want to Get for Christmas
Overall, the research points out some conditions changing in the game industry. While consoles remain popular, the rise of live service games and subscription services is undeniable. For instance, it’s no secret that live service products likeFortniteandRobloxhave several children and teenagers among their players. 55% of allRobloxplayers, for example, are 12 years old or younger, according to an SEC filing from 2022. Considering that back in 2021,Robloxannounced it would focus more on older audiences, these figures remain impressive and could explain why in-game money, which would likely be used to purchase cosmetics, is such a popular choice.
What really stands out, though, is how many children want game subscription services. It makes sense, considering that products like PS Plus andXbox Game Pass have been rising in popularityin the last few years, and they offer a huge selection of titles for gamers. Children and teenagers will not have played so much of the subscription service’s catalog as some older gamers, so these services may prove much more valuable than a single new game for them.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is the highest tier of Microsoft’s flagship game subscription service that offers over 100 game titles that you can play with a single purchase, making it one of the most outstanding value propositions of the Xbox ecosystem to date.
