Gaming During The Pandemic

During the pandemic, gamers have boosted their levels of play; however, less than two percent of Canadians decided to try playing video games for the first-time during lockdown. The majority of Canadians playing video games during the pandemic believe that gaming has helped them emotionally and mentally, especially teens. Gaming has also helped family, and friends, bond and stay connected.

58%

58% of adults are playing more

80%

80% of teens are playing more

65%

65% of adults find that gaming while supporting stay-at-home health measures makes them feel better

78%

78% of teens find that gaming while supporting stay-at-home health measures makes them feel better

Kids and teens are more involved in esports and video game streaming during the pandemic. Streaming includes viewing and playing video games.

Esports Streaming

36%

36% of adults are streaming more during the pandemic

50%

50% of kids and teens are streaming more during the pandemic

Video game Streaming

45%

45% of adults are streaming more video games during the pandemic

66%

66% of kids and teens are streaming more video games during the pandemic

Sixty-nine percent of parent gamers with kids (ages 6 to 12) played video games with their children and 60 percent of parent gamers with teens (ages 13 to 17) played video games with their children. Forty-four percent of parent gamers with kids (6 to 17) reported spending more time playing video games with their kids during the pandemic.