“Hyper enthusiasts are keeping things going”
- by Sammy Barker
Think about how many games release every single month. And then consider that more than 60% of US players purchase fewer than two new releases per year.
It doesn’t really make economical sense, does it? And it’s why we often frown at the idea of publishers making shorter, cheaper software so we can fill out the release schedule even more. The world, genuinely, does not need more games.
The above statistic comes courtesy of Circana’s Mat Piscatella, who was sharing research from the company’s Q3 2025 Future of Video Games survey.
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It found that only 14% of players buy one or more games per month. More than 60%, meanwhile, purchase two or fewer titles per year.
There are a few reasons for this, of course: an overall lack of interest, the economy, and the rise of “forever” games which keep people engaged over longer periods.
You can, theoretically, just play Fortnite, Roblox, or Genshin Impact and have a perfectly fulfilling experience.
Piscatella notes that it’s the “hyper enthusiast, price-insensitive players [who] are really keeping things going”. In other words, the people who splash out on every big new release and probably read websites like this.
He continues:
“Why are there premium gamepads, $149 collector’s editions, Pro consoles, and general rising prices? Because the price-insensitive, affluent players are the ones doing more of the spending as everyone else shifts more to free-to-play.”
Of course, money is still flooding into the industry through microtransactions.
Sony’s own financials tell us that it makes more money through in-game purchases than it does full-price releases at this point. It’s part of the reason it’s chasing live service success.
Still, we’re curious how many new games you purchase per year at this point. Are you one of the whales keeping the traditional gaming business alive, or have you slowly started to transition your spending elsewhere as well?
[source bsky.app]
As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.
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People Don’t Buy Anywhere Near As Many Games As You Think
the Myth of Constant Game Purchases
It’s a common assumption that gamers are continuously buying new titles – that every release spurs a frenzy of purchases leading to booming sales. But the reality is quite different. Despite a seemingly overflowing market with hundreds,even thousands of games launching yearly,consumer buying habits show a surprisingly conservative trend.
Data and surveys reveal that the average gamer purchases far fewer games annually than hype suggests. So, why does this misconception persist?
Why Gamers Buy Fewer Games Than Expected
1. Saturation of the Market
With digital storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Marketplace offering massive catalogs, gamers feel overwhelmed by choice.
- Choice paralysis: To many options often discourage purchases.
- Time constraints: Gamers have limited time to fully enjoy the games they own.
- Budget limits: Not everyone can afford to constantly buy new releases.
2. Rise of Subscription Services
Platforms like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, and EA play provide access to hundreds of games for a fixed monthly fee. this subscription model reduces the need to purchase individual titles outright, allowing users to play a wide variety of games without additional purchases.
3. Free-to-Play Games and In-Game Monetization
Free-to-play (F2P) games dominate many gaming categories today – players engage without upfront costs and may spend money selectively on cosmetics or convenience. This shift changes the purchase landscape:
- Players spend on microtransactions rather than buying new full-priced games.
- High engagement but low new purchase frequency.
4. Economic Factors and Gaming Budgets
while gaming remains popular, economic uncertainty, rising costs, and competing entertainment options mean people allocate smaller budgets for new games.
- Many gamers prioritize quality over quantity.
- Discount seasons and sales heavily influence purchase timing.
Market Data: typical Game Purchase Patterns
| Gamer Type | Average Games Bought per Year | Preferred Purchase model | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual Gamer | 1-3 | Sales & Discounts | Limited purchases,often seasonal buyers |
| Core Gamer | 5-7 | Subscription & Full-price | balanaced between ownership & subscriptions |
| Hardcore / Enthusiast | 8-12 | Day-one Purchases | More frequent,but still limited by time |
Psychology behind Game Purchasing Decisions
It’s not just economics and availability at play – psychological factors influence buying behavior:
- Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Drives some to buy early,but many resist if they can’t play promptly.
- Collector Mentality: Some gamers collect physical or digital libraries but don’t necessarily play every game purchased.
- Completionism vs. Exploration: Many players finish fewer games than they own, impacting acquisition.
Benefits of Buying Fewer Games
- Higher enjoyment: More time per game leads to deeper engagement.
- Cost-efficiency: Reduces spending, allowing investment in quality titles or hardware upgrades.
- Less clutter: Streamlines game libraries, better organization.
- Environmentally friendly: Less physical purchase production for disc-based games.
Practical Tips for Gamers to Optimize Game Purchases
- Create a wishlist: Helps prioritize purchases based on true interest rather than impulse buying.
- Utilize free trials & demos: Sample before buying to avoid regretted purchases.
- Leverage subscription services: Maximize value with curated game selections.
- Wait for sales: Major discounts during seasonal sales can save money.
- Set a budget: Prevent impulsive buying by defining clear monthly or yearly spending limits.
Case Study: Steam’s Game Library and User spending
A 2023 analysis of Steam user data shows:
- Median user owns around 20-30 games.
- Annual purchases average only 2-4 games,despite thousands available.
- 70% of spending happens during sales periods or via bundles.
This verifies that even among passionate PC gamers, regular new title purchases are modest.
First-Hand Experience From the Gaming Community
Many gamers share similar experiences in online forums and social media:
- “I buy only one or two games per year now as I want to finish them completely.”
- “Subscriptions are a lifesaver – I get to try games I wouldn’t otherwise buy.”
- “Sales influence my purchase behavior more than new releases.”
Summary Table: Why Don’t People Buy More Games?
| Reason | Effect on Purchase Behavior | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Market Saturation | Overwhelming choices reduce purchase frequency | 3500+ Steam games released yearly |
| Subscriptions | Access without ownership diminishes direct buying | xbox Game Pass with 100+ games |
| Free-to-Play Models | spending shifts to microtransactions, less on full games | Fortnite, Apex Legends |
| Time Constraints | Limited gameplay time reduces desire to buy more | Working adults prioritizing a few games |
| Economic Factors | Smaller budgets lead to selective shopping | Waiting for discounts/bundles |
