Kids Clamor for Video Game-Related Presents

The Entertainment Software Association surveyed U.S. adults and children (ages 10-17) to find out what Americans are asking for this holiday season and learned that kids are most likely to ask their parents for video game-related presents (72 percent).

Requests for video game gifts are followed closely by money/gift cards (70 percent), clothes/accessories (66 percent) and electronics/tech items such as phones and smartwatches (62 percent). Fewer wish lists will include physical toys and games (38 percent), tickets and experiences (32 percent), arts and crafts (28 percent) and books (26 percent).

The majority of both girls (59 percent) and boys (86 percent) say they plan to ask for video game gifts for the holidays, with the top five specific asks being for game subscriptions (39 percent), game consoles (38 percent), game gear/accessories (32 percent), in-game currency (29 percent) and physical video games (22 percent).

Meanwhile, about one in three (32 percent) adults say they plan to buy video game gifts for themselves or others for the holidays, with that number jumping to 57 percent for parents. Adults who say they will be buying video game-related presents are planning to spend an average of $485 on these gifts.

“More than 212 million Americans play video games regularly, so it comes as no surprise that games are at the top of this year’s wish lists,” said Stan Pierre-Louis, president and CEO, ESA. “Whether a family is getting a new console, updating their controllers and headsets or adding to their library with new games and expansion packs, we know video games are a great tool for families to play together and connect during the holiday season and beyond.”

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