New Study Reveals How Playing Video Games Makes People Feel

GameSpot parent company Fandom has released its sixth annual Inside Fandom study, and this one reveals insights into how people play and feel about games and general entertainment.

One of the key findings of the study, called The Power of Me Time, is that 54% of consumers spend their free time on gaming and entertainment each week. The study found that 80% of consumers said they considered playing games or watching TV/movies as a passion, beating out other popular interests like music (75%), food and cooking (52%), sports (44%), and travel (38%).

Further, the study found that gaming can provide an emotional outlet–and a positive one. Respondents reported feeling more stimulated, accomplished, and focused after playing games. People reported feeling relaxed, happy, and zen primarily when watching TV or movies. This compares to other leisure activities like sports, which the study found elicited feelings of frustration and anxiety.

For gaming, the study concluded, “These positive emotional experiences explain why entertainment and gaming continue to hold such a prominent place in consumers’ lives, offering a welcome escape and a chance to recharge.”

The study also found that people who watch TV/movies and play games also seek out further information and discussion about their favorite franchises on social media and the internet in general. The study said 52% read or post about their entertainment interests online, while 50% seek out fan-created content on YouTube and TikTok.

Many love to share their opinions, and that’s reflected in the study, too, as 43% said they enjoy talking about their favorite shows, movies, or games with family and friends, while 27% reported looking on the internet for more information about their favorite franchises by way of seeking out behind-the-scenes details or new details about characters they like. The study also found that 26% listen to podcasts that are based on their favorite TV/movie and gaming content.

The study is based on a survey of 4,000 consumers, complemented by first-party data stemming from Fandom’s network of 350 million monthly unique users.

For more, check out the Inside Fandom website to learn more about the Power of Me Time study.