Dear Hollywood, Gen Z is calling and says they prefer video game entertainment over watching TV and movies. According to a Deloitte survey, unlike Millennials and older generations, Gen Z says they prefer video games to watching TV or movies. In fact, video games were the top entertainment pastime among 14-24-year-olds, and viewing TV or movies was in fifth place, with listening to music, browsing the internet, and social media preceding it. YPulse’s recent Gaming Report discovered 61% of young consumers believe video games are more entertaining than TV and movies, so it makes sense this entertainment medium is the generation’s preferred screentime method. This behavioral shift could have “long-lasting ramifications for the media biz” as Gen Z ages up and brings their preference for games with them into adulthood. Just as Millennials didn’t outgrow the disruptive media behaviors that they began, Gen Z is unlikely to outgrow the virtual worlds that allow them to spend time with friends, and stay both entertained and connected. (Variety, LA Times)
