Nearly Half of Gamers Found a Spouse Through Games

The gaming community is growing every year. It already includes all age groups, genders and cultures. It's hardly surprising, by the way, as the benefits of virtual entertainment are truly abundant. We learned a little more about the benefits of gaming from the report by Power of Play 2023, prepared by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).

1. Published results from academic research and worldwide surveys (multiple choice) indicate that video games significantly help establish relationships. As many as 42% of respondents (mark: active gamers) were convinced of the truth of this statement, confirming that they had met a future spouse while playing online.
2. The majority of respondents (87%) answered that they play mainly solo. 51% of respondents participate in online games at least once a week. Even fewer, only 38%, indicated that they play once a week with friends or family "on the same couch."
3. A sizable group of respondents (58%) believe that video games help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation, and 52% use them to cope with difficult times.
4. In many countries around the world, fun is the main reason for reaching for video games, but as many as 71% use them to reduce stress. Interestingly, the only regions surveyed where stress reduction was not the main benefit were Poland and South Korea. Respondents from both of these countries cited establishing interpersonal bonds as this most important benefit of gaming.

In general, gamers reported that games enable them to acquire and improve a range of skills - from reading comprehension to problem solving.

• society
• gamers
• surveys and research
• online games (other)