Culture
What’s the profile of the Canadian gamer?
In Canada, the video game industry significantly contributes to the GDP, with a reported $5.5 billion in 2021. No longer is gaming a niche hobby that remains on the fringes of society; it has become integrated into mainstream culture and made an impact on just about every demographic.
A striking 61% of Canadians, amounting to approximately 23 million people, engage in video gaming. This engagement spans across all age groups, with a notable prevalence among children and teenagers—89% of whom are gamers.
Interestingly, the distribution among adults shows that 61% of those aged 18-64 are active gamers. It is thought that over 65s are the exception, where video games are not making an impact. But, this is soon changing because of smartphones! Mobile games are being played by billions around the world and now rank as the most common gaming device. This is, for the older generation, an accessible way to play games, even if it’s just classics like Sudoku.
Gaming Preferences and Trends
Puzzle and word games dominate among adult Canadian gamers, while younger audiences prefer action and adventure titles. Some games, however, like Candy Crush, are universally liked across age groups.
Digital game sales have seen a steady increase in Canada, overtaking physical sales, which have remained stagnant. This shift is part of a broader trend towards online gaming, with 70% of Canadian gamers playing online. This transition towards digital formats accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when shops were closed and supplies were low.
Consumer spending in the video game sector has been robust, with Canadians spending significantly on digital products, including online gaming subscriptions, game downloads, and in-game purchases. But it also shows that physical collections, which are associated with more niche hobbyists, are a less important part of gaming today than it was 20 years ago.
This tells us a couple of things about the profile of the average gamer, too. The age group of 25-34 years old emerged as the biggest spenders in the gaming sector, as this is the age group that are both enthusiasts and have more disposable income than they had previously. Given that it was 20 years ago since the launch of San Andreas, many of the fans awaiting the GTA 6 leaks will be over 40 years old.
The Ontario Gaming Scene
Ontario has become a significant hub for gaming in Canada recently. Online casinos in Ontario have operated legally since 2022, and this has boosted online gaming through wagered games. While many would not traditionally consider this to be video games, it’s undoubtedly gaming. And, given the advancements in mechanics, storytelling, and graphics, online casinos are hosting wagered games that resemble video games.
With this blurring of the lines, it includes even more people into the profile of a Canadian gamer, as it now encompasses those who enjoy casino games. Slots are a good example of a traditional game that has morphed into something dynamic, with new games and mechanics continuously being developed. Skill is important for gamers, who do not want to rely on luck alone, and this is slowly being introduced into the casino world.
The impact of eSports
The rise of esports in Canada is evidenced by its significant global viewership, with it having grown well past half a billion, and a market size that has reached over $4 billion. Canadian teams and players have made their mark on the world stage, with notable achievements being Canada’s performance in the Overwatch World Cup and Sasha “Scarlett” Hostyn’s historic win at the IEM championship.
As Canada’s presence in the global esports arena grows, localised viewership does too. This is supported by organizations like Toronto Defiant and Vancouver Titans and the many eSports teams. Pokimane, Nick Eh 30, and many other Canadian streamers have millions of followers.
Infrastructure developments have also helped realize the potential of eSports, as we see it manifest in our physical spaces through arenas, as opposed to being hidden online OverActive Media’s announcement to build a $500 million, 7,000-seat esports venue in Toronto further solidifies Canada’s commitment to its esports scene.
Toronto will have had a view of this to enhance their general entertainment scene, which is something that many people thought video games stood in the way of (staying at home as opposed to socialising in town, in the evenings). This goes to show the narrow view of what makes up a “gamer” in Canada no longer holds true — the proposed arena will inevitably sell out, and to a variety of age and gender groups.
The establishment of esports franchises and league structures has helped bridge the gap between esports and traditional sports, too, making it more accessible and understandable to the general public.
Conclusion
The profile of the Canadian gamer is evolving. The introduction of widespread smartphone adoption, along with the gamification (and legalization) of casino games, has meant that gaming is now a part of most people’s lives in Canada. Gaming has migrated away from being for enthusiasts or even subculture, as it has now fully established into the mainstream.
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