Simulation Games Statistics By Number of Gamers, Monetization Ways and Age Group

Introduction

Simulation Games Statistics: The gaming industry has become one of the largest entertainment industries, with billions of revenue generated every year. Technological developments and digitalization, in addition to the pandemic, have increased the number of gamers, which became the main source of income for the majority of the players. There are multiple genres of games, and Simulation is one of them. Simulation games represent real-life events.

Compared to action and shooting games, simulation is yet to reach the top place for being the most favorite game category; however, it has already ranked in the top 10 best game genres. Understanding these Simulation Game Statistics will also shed some light on the overall gaming industry in 2024.

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• By 2029, the global video game market is projected to generate USD 396.2 billion in revenue.
• Global simulation game downloads are expected to exceed 18 billion by 2027.
• According to Statista, The global simulation games market is projected to reach USD 17.43 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.45% from 2022.
• In 2024, the Online Simulation Games Market size is estimated at USD 8.14 billion and is expected to reach USD 17.21 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 13.49%.
• As of 2023, there are approximately 3.09 billion gamers globally, with numbers expected to rise to 3.32 billion by 2024.
• In 2023, Asia had the highest number of gamers, totaling 1.48 billion.
• The majority of global gamers in 2023, about 1.17 billion people or 38% of the global gaming population, were aged between 18 and 34.
• The Simulation Games market in the United States is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.04% from 2022 to 2027, reaching USD 7.05 billion by 2027.
• The United States generated the highest revenue in the Simulation Games market, estimated at USD 4.60 billion in 2022.
• The number of Simulation Games market downloads in 2022 was projected at 12.94 billion, with an average revenue per download expected to be USD 1.12.
• In-app purchase (IAP) revenue in the Simulation Games market was projected to reach USD 8.36 billion in 2022.
• Advertising revenue in the Simulation Games market was projected at USD 5.90 billion in 2022.
• Paid app revenue in the Simulation Games market was projected to reach USD 0.20 billion in 2022.
• Global mobile internet subscribers were reported to be 4.2 billion, with a growth rate of 5%, and are estimated to reach 5 billion by 2025.
• Almost 6.4 billion people globally used smartphones to connect to the internet as per Ericsson, expected to rise to over 7.7 billion by 2028.
• Nodwin Gaming received an investment of USD 22.5 million from Krafton.
• Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) announced plans to invest USD 100 million in the Indian gaming and entertainment industry in June 2022.

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General Gamers Statistics

• As of 2023, there were around 3.09 billion gamers worldwide. By 2024, the number is expected to reach 3.32 billion.
• More than half of the gamers subscribe to at least 1 gaming service.
• By 2029, the global video game market is estimated to generate a revenue of USD 396.2 billion.

By Number of Games by Region

(Source: explodingtopics.com)

• As of 2023, Asia is the leading region with the largest number of gamers resulting in 1.48 billion.
• Furthermore, Europe and Latin America were followed by 715 million and 420 million respectively.
• Other regions with the total number of players are North America – 285 million, MENA – 168 million, Sub-Sahara Africa – 144 million, and Oceania – 32 million.

By Number of Gamers by Age Group

(Source: explodingtopics.com)

• As of 2023, the majority of the gamers were aged between 18 to 34 years, representing 38%, with a total of 1.17 billion worldwide.
• Followed gamers under 18 years contributing 20% of total gamers resulting in 819 million.
• There were around 216 million gamers aged 65 years and above with 7% of the share

By Hours Spent Playing Video Games Per Week by Americans

(Reference: statista.com)

• As of 2023, according to a survey conducted by Statista majority of the gamers in the USA spend 1 to 5 hours per week.
• Furthermore, 18% and 11% spend around 6 to 10 hours and less than 1 hour.
• In addition, 7% of gamers reported spending 16 to 20 hours or more.

By Video Games in the USA by Platforms and Gamers

(Reference: statista.com)

• In 2023, majority of the American female gamers preferred to play on PlayStation.
• Xbox and Console games. For each platform, the distribution made by female gamers was 59%,55%, and 53% respectively.
• On the other hand, male players preferred mobile 54%, switch 52%, and PC 50% for playing video games.

By Share of Internet Users Who Play Video Games on Any Device

(Reference: statista.com)

• As of 2023, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Turkey contributed the highest share of internet users who play video games on any device.
• Each represented 96.5%, 95.9%, and 94.8%. The global average represents 83.1%.
• Overall, of all the countries mentioned above, more than 60% of internet users play video games.

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General Simulation Games Statistics

• Simulation Games Statistics estimate that by 2027, the number of global simulation game downloads will reach more than 18 billion.
• On average, compared to females, male players are projected to spend longer hours playing these games.
• Furthermore, by 2027 the in-app advertising revenue is estimated to capture 39% of total revenue in the simulation games segment.
• According to a report by 42Matters in 2024, 20% of the leading simulation games in the USA were created by American mobile game developers.

Simulation Games Statistics by Region

Worldwide

• In 2022 the worldwide Simulation games market was valued at USD 11.54 billion.
• It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.45% between 2022 and 2027, reaching USD 17.43 billion by the forecast period.
• Furthermore, the total number of downloads in the global market in the simulation segment was estimated to reach 12.94 billion.
• Comparing the global market, most of the revenue was projected to be generated from the United States contributing USD 4,604 million.
• In addition, the projected paid app revenue and advertising revenue in the global simulation games market were USD 0.24 billion and USD 5.90 billion respectively.
• The average revenue per download was projected at USD 0.89.

Americas

• In the American simulation games market, the total revenue in 2022 was projected to be USD 5.00 billion.
• Furthermore, by the projected year, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.99% reaching USD 7.62 billion.
• The advertising and paid app revenue in the similar market was estimated to be USD 3.15 billion and USD 0.10 billion respectively.
• The average revenue per download was projected to amount to USD 1.76.

Africas

• As of 2022, the African simulation games market was estimated to reach USD 18.74 million.
• By 2027, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.83% reaching USD 26.74 million.
• The total number of downloads in the market was estimated at 135.70 million.
• Furthermore, the average revenue per download was projected to amount to USD 0.14.
• The paid app and advertising revenue would amount to USD 1.59 million and USD 7.83 million respectively.

Europe

• The total number of downloads in the simulation games segment in the European market was estimated to be 2.10 billion in 2022.
• The average revenue per download was estimated to amount to USD 0.61.
• The advertising revenue and paid app revenue were projected to reach USD 715.30 million and USD 52.82 million each.

Australia and Oceania

• The in-app purchase revenue in the Australia and Oceania simulation games market was estimated to be USD 80.65 million in 2022.
• Furthermore, advertising and paid app revenue were projected to amount to USD 106.50 million and USD 6.44 million respectively.
• The Australia and Oceania simulation games market was valued at USD 193.60 in 2022, by 2027, it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.27% reaching USD 257.40 million.

Simulation Games Statistics by Monetization Ways

(Reference: adjoe.io)

• According to Simulation Games Statistics, the most preferred way to monetize simulation games is through in–app purchases contributing 60%.
• 39% of monetization is made through in-app advertising, while only 1% comes from paid apps.

Simulation Games Statistics by Preferred Gaming Genres for Tablet Gamers

(Reference: statista.com)

• In 2023, the top 3 most preferred gaming genres among tablet gamers in the USA were action (48%), action-adventure (43%) and adventure (43%). Simulation Games Statistics show that simulation games were the 10th most preferred genre.

Most Popular Video Game Genres Among Internet Users Worldwide by Age Group

Most popular video game genres among internet users worldwide as of 3rd quarter 2023, by age group:

(Source: statista.com)

• As of Q3 of 2023, Simulation games were the third most popular game category among players aged 16 to 34, while they remain one of the top five most popular video game genres for players aged 35 to 64, according to a survey by Statista.
• Other leading game genres include shooter, action-adventure, sports, MOBA, racing, strategy, puzzle platform, action platform, fighting, battle royale, and online board games.

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Preferred Gaming Genres Among Laptop and PC Gamers

(Reference: statista.com)

• Among PC and laptop gamers, Americans in 2023 preferred to play action games (50%), action-adventure games (46%), and adventure games (44%).
• Similar to tablet gamers’ preferred genres, in PC and laptop gamers simulation games ranked 10th most favored game genre.

Preferred Gaming Genres Among Console Gamers

(Reference: statista.com)

• Similar to mobile and tablet gamers, console gamers in the USA also preferred action (63%), action-adventure (51%), and adventure genres (47%).
• Simulation Games Statistics show that for console gamers, the simulation genre has taken the 8th rank with 29%.

Gaming Simulators Market Forecast

• The Global Gaming Simulators Market was valued at USD 6.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 20.1 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 12.1% from 2024 to 2033.
• In 2023, the Hardware component led the market, accounting for 57% of the segment, driven by high demand for physical equipment like racing seats and VR gear.
• The Racing game type dominated the market in 2023, constituting 48% of the segment, indicative of consumer preference for immersive, high-adrenaline gaming experiences.
• The Residential segment held the largest market share at 60% in 2023, highlighting strong demand for home-based gaming setups.
• North America was the leading market in 2023, holding a 36% share and generating USD 2.3 billion, supported by advanced gaming infrastructure and high consumer spending.
• eSports content was watched globally for 2.76 billion hours in 2023, underscoring significant engagement within the sector.
• The League of Legends World Championship attracted a peak viewership of 6.4 million in 2023, reflecting the high demand for realistic, high-quality simulators.
• Sponsorship revenue in the eSports sector reached USD 837.2 million in 2022, demonstrating substantial growth due to increased sponsorship and brand partnerships.
• VRChat had an estimated player base of 20.7 million and approximately 958,000 active participants in 2023, showing how integrated simulators and VR experiences are becoming in mainstream gaming.
• Fortnite led online gaming viewership with 13.4 million weekly viewer hours on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, highlighting the demand for immersive media and gaming experiences.
• Apex Legends followed closely, with over 7.2 million weekly viewer hours, indicating a strong market presence for competitive and interactive games that utilize advanced simulation technology.

Most Played Simulation Games in 2024

According to a list published by SteamDB in March 2024 following the 10 top most-played simulation games by all-time peak players.

• Dota 2 -1,295,114
• PUBG: Battlegrounds – 3,257,248
• Rust – 245,243
• War Thunder – 121,318
• Sid Meier’s Civilization VI – 162,657
• Stardew Valley – 94,879
• Football Manager 2024 – 89,478
• VRChat – 52,956
• Balatro – 37,977
• Supermarket Simulator – 47,806

Conclusion

The popularity of simulation games increased when Sims was released. Today, it has gained millions of players who play real-life-like games on any given device. Simulation games feature different scenarios similar to our lives but in a virtual world. As stated in these Simulation Games Statistics, it has become one of the top 10 leading game genres today.

The number of players in the industry has increased significantly over the years because of the easy accessibility of games through laptops, smartphones, PCs, and tablets. However, the new trend of live streaming games, or publishing the game content on YouTube-like platforms is a demand driving factor for the global gaming industry.