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Why Being a “Gamer” Isn’t the Same as Playing Video Games

Not all young people who play video games call themselves a “gamer,” and we dig into the differences between these groups…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Dec 6 2023
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Most young people identify as gamers, but those who do play far differently than those who don’t
Self-identified gamers are more likely to play frequently especially on console and mobile
But young people who don’t identify as gamers still play mobile games frequently, highlighting a discrepancy in the gamer identity and playing these kinds of games

For brands, “gamers” might be thought of as anyone who plays video games. But YPulse data shows more than nine in 10 13-39-year-olds play video games, so that definition of the label could stretch too wide to mean much. That’s why it’s key to know who amongst Gen Z and Millennials actually identify themselves as being a gamer—because whether playing on a console, computer, or mobile devices, “gamers” behave differently than the general population of young players. YPulse’s Gaming report data shows there’s a disparity between those who agree with the statement “I am a gamer” and the vast...