
Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan once said, “Study hard. Work hard. Play harder.” I’ve been following his advice since my early teenage years and have cultivated a passion for many indoor and outdoor activities — computer gaming is one of my favorites.
I recently learned that an estimated 1.9 billion people worldwide share my passion for computer games and I really hope you’re one of them!1 To learn more, I researched the latest facts in computer gaming to create this guide. Let’s dive in!
1. There Are 1.9B Computer Gamers in 2025
About 1.9 billion people will play PC games in 2024, myself included. That’s over 20% of the world’s population!2 Crazy, right? We’ve come a long way since the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were the talk of the town in the late 2000s (I had an Xbox 360, which I absolutely adored!).

The number of players has increased 41.57% in the past decade and 68.77% since 2008 — there were around 1.310 billion PC gamers in 2014 and 1.099 billion PC gamers in 2008.1 If you consider today’s global population, more than 1 in 5 people you know plays computer games.1,2
2. Nintendo Was Founded in 1889
Alright, I’ll admit it: I’m an even bigger Nintendo fanboy than you might have thought. Until now, I never knew Nintendo went by another name (or had been around for so long). Japanese video game goliath, Nintendo, was founded as Nintendo Koppai by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi more than 135 years ago — it initially made Japanese Hanafuda playing cards!
Nintendo’s video game history began many decades later in 1975, when it acquired the distribution rights to the Magnavox Odyssey for the Japanese market. Nintendo published its own home console, Color TV-Game 6, with six pre-programmed games in 1977. The rest is history, as they say.14
3. Roughly 27% of U.S. Gamers Spend 1-5 Hours Gaming Weekly
I wonder how many hours per week you spend gaming. Personally, I spend about 10-12 hours. Here’s an interesting fact for you: of the approximately 200 million gamers in the U.S. in 2024, 27% spend between one and five hours playing video games per week. 39,40 A further 18% play games for 6-10 hours per week and 11% indulge for less than an hour.
Only 7% of Americans play computer games for more than 20 hours per week. If you don’t plan on pursuing it professionally, please decrease your screen time!40 Notably, the number of gamers in the USA is forecasted to increase by 13.78% by 2029 and reach a new peak of nearly 230 million.39 I can only imagine how many game servers will be in demand by then!
4. Video Game Market Revenue Will Reach $666.69B by 2029
I know you probably aren’t here for revenue-based statistics (an appreciative nod if you are). But if you truly love gaming, these numbers will fill you with pride. Don’t worry, I’ll just explore a handful of revenue-based stats.

Given the sheer number of gamers out there, I wasn’t surprised to learn global revenue in the video game market is projected to reach $666.69 billion by 2029, marking an increase of about 46.43% between 2024 and 2029 — this increase equals about $211.40 billion.3
The market includes a ton of products: console games, computer games, mobile games, and online games. You could play video games every moment for the rest of your life and only see a fraction of what’s out there.
5. Tencent Grossed $30B in Gaming Revenue in the 4th Quarter of 2023
If you’ve played games like Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile, chances are you’ve heard of their “sugar daddy,” Tencent. The leading Chinese video gaming company grossed roughly $30 billion in gaming revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023. Its Japanese competitor, Sony (which you’re definitely more familiar with), ranked second — it raked in more than $18 billion.4
Notably, Sony owns the PlayStation gaming platform (in other news, the sun is yellow) and has published some of my favorite video games: Marvel’s Spider-Man (he’s my favorite superhero), Bloodborne, Final Fantasy VII, The Last of Us, and God of War.
6. Nintendo Has a Market Cap of $59.56B
While Tencent earns top bucks, it’s Nintendo that has the largest market cap. Market cap is more of a stock market thing, while revenue is all about sales. The Nintendo Switch is undoubtedly my favorite Nintendo product (ah, the memories) and a significant contributor to the Japanese multinational gaming company’s revenue. Moving on to the market cap side of things, Nintendo has a market cap of more than $59 billion.5
Electronic Arts (EA) ranks second (oh, how I miss the good old FIFA days!), with a market cap of roughly $34.83 billion.5 If you’re a thrill seeker and a sports fanatic, I know you’ve played some of its most popular video game series, such as FIFA (EA and FIFA split ways in May 2022), Sims, Need for Speed, and Madden NFL.
7. The PS2 Has Sold 158M+ Units Worldwide
In the list of the top five video game consoles of all time in terms of sales, three Nintendo consoles stand out. Nintendo Switch is one of them. Can you guess the other two? If you guessed the Nintendo DS and classic Game Boy, give yourself a pat on the back.
Console | Units Sold |
---|---|
1. PlayStation 2 | 158 million |
2. Nintendo DS | 154 million |
3. Nintendo Switch | 137 million |
4. Game Boy | 119 million |
5. PlayStation 4 | 114 million |
If you’re a fan of the Nintendo DS, you may remember games like Nintendogs, Animal Crossing, and Cooking Mama (don’t anger her — if you know you know). The Nintendo Switch is the only current-gen console that appears in this list, with more than 137 million units sold. The PlayStation 2, which has sold 158 million units, and the PlayStation 4 complete the list.6
If you’re an Xbox fan, it’s worth knowing the Xbox 360 is the only Xbox console that sneaks into the top ten rankings!
8. The PS5 Has Sold 54M+ Units Worldwide
My current muse, the PlayStation 5, has sold more than 54 million units globally.6
While Sony hasn’t technically confirmed it’s working on developing a next-gen console (likely to be named the PlayStation 6 — though a PlayStation X would be neat), I’m already buzzing about the prospect. Let’s do the math: considering the traditional lifecycle of a PlayStation console of 6-7 years, Sony could launch a new one as early as 2026/27. I’m always up for a surprise, so hurry up already, Sony!
9. PUBG: Battlegrounds Had 760k+ Concurrent Players on Steam in March 2024
When I was in uni, my friends and I used to play PUBG Mobile, the mobile version of PUBG: Battlegrounds, every night. Imagine eight grown-ass men sitting on a large mat in a hostel yard wielding virtual artillery on mobile screens. Yeah, that was us. If you need more context, PUBG: Battlegrounds is a multiplayer battle royale video game.
If you want to maintain the sanctity of your smartphone, you can play the game on your PC via the Steam platform. It’s one of the most popular games on Steam and had more than 760,000 concurrent players on the platform in March 2024. The highest recorded number of concurrent PUBG: Battlegrounds players on Steam was in January 2018, at an astronomical 3.24 million!7 Steam sure needs a whole lot of data centers to power these many games.
10. Fortnite Has 650M+ Players
It’s simple; you’re either a PUBG: Battlegrounds fan or on the Fortnite boat. You can’t have the best of both worlds, my friend (well, you actually can in this case)! Both battle royale games were officially launched in 2017.
Country | Player Base Percentage |
---|---|
1. United States | 21% |
2. Russia | 7.5% |
3. Brazil | 5.5% |
4. Poland | 5.4% |
5. Mexico | 3.4% |
While PUBG: Battlegrounds has a strong following (it has my vote), I’d be foolish to deny Fortnite is nothing short of a cultural phenomenon — it has amassed a player base of more than 650 million players, of which more than 230 million are active.8
11. CS2 Had 1.52M Concurrent Players on Steam in March 2024
Talking of games I used to play with my uni mates, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) was another favorite. When it was upgraded to Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) in September 2023, the memories came flooding back. I hope to plan a reunion with them soon! If you’re unfamiliar with the game, it’s a multiplayer tactical first-person shooter game. It has a cult following and had a maximum of 1.52 million concurrent players in March 2024.9
12. Dota 2 Had Nearly 730k Concurrent Players on Steam in March 2024
I’ll admit, DOTA 2 never really interested me, but it’s got a wild history. It’s the sequel to Defense of the Ancients (DotA), originally a mod for Warcraft II that pioneered the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. Dota 2 has nothing to do with Warcraft (it’s published by Valve, not Activision/Blizzard), but is still wildly popular: it had a record-high number of concurrent players on Steam way back in March 2016 at approximately 1.29 million.
The video game is viral on Steam and peaked at nearly 730,000 concurrent gamers in March 2024.10 Though some of that may have to do with the fact that Valve, the game’s publisher, created Steam. It’s a small world after all.
13. CS2 Had an Average of 976k+ Weekly Players on Steam in June 2024
We closed the CS2 chapter a bit earlier than I would have liked; let’s reopen it. CS2 was the most popular Steam title in June 2024, recording an average of more than 976,000 concurrent players per week.

Banana, a game that I find is a little less popular in the broader gaming community, is a simple clicker game that took second place with about 710,000 average concurrent gamers per week. I’d never play it. I mean, why would I want digital banana pics? I’d rather eat the real deal!
Dota 2 ranked third, with more than 470,000 average concurrent players per week.11
14. Steam Had 33M Peak Concurrent Users in 2023
I’ve talked about the most popular games on Steam without giving the platform itself a proper introduction. Let’s change that. Steam was launched in September 2003 as a software client to issue automatic updates for video games released by Valve Corporation, like Half Life 2. It has evolved into a gaming hub where you can buy and play thousands of games.
While I’m personally more of a console gamer, millions of people flock to Steam to get their gaming fix. To put it into perspective, the gaming platform and digital storefront had a peak of 33 million concurrent gamers in January 2023, which was around 3 million more than its peak in October 2022.12
15. The World’s First Commercial Video Game System Was Launched in 1972
The first video game system was nowhere near as fancy as my PlayStation 5! In reading about the history of video game systems, I learned the “Brown Box,” which was the first of its kind, supported multiple games that could be played by flipping the switches along the front of the system: a golf putting game, target shooting, four different sports games, checkers, and ping-pong.
Sanders Associates, Inc. licensed the prototype to American electronics company Magnavox, which released the system as the world’s first home video game console in 1972; they named it Magnavox Odyssey.13 If you want to experience its magic, you can check out the Magnavody simulator on Steam!
16. EA Sports FC 24 Was the Top-Selling Video Game in Europe in 2023
Football is my favorite sport (please don’t call it soccer). My love affair with it began just ten years ago (I’m nearly 30). Two of my closest friends in university were watching a match between Manchester United and Chelsea, and I joined them. United won 2-1, and I chose to bleed red for the rest of my life.
I can’t say it’s been the smoothest ride, but I’m content with my choice of club. I started playing FIFA 14 shortly after and firmly believe it’s the best FIFA edition of all time.
1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall | EA Sports FC 24 | Hogwarts Legacy | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom |
Germany | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | EA Sports FC 24 | Super Mario Bros. Wonder |
France | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | EA Sports FC 24 | Super Mario Bros. Wonder |
The UK | Hogwarts Legacy | EA Sports FC 24 | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom |
Italy | EA Sports FC 24 | Hogwarts Legacy | FIFA 23 |
Spain | EA Sports FC 24 | Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Super Mario Bros. Wonder |
Poland | EA Sports FC 24 | FIFA 23 | Hogwarts Legacy |
The FIFA franchise (now EA Sports FC) is loved globally and especially in Europe. To put it into perspective, EA Sports FC 24 ranked first based on sales in every European country in 2023 except for Sweden (Hogwarts Legacy took the prize there).15
17. FIFA International Soccer Was Released in 1993
Trust an American company (EA) to include the word “soccer” in the title of the first official game (FIFA-backed) in the FIFA franchise! FIFA International Soccer, FIFA’s first game, was released way back in 1993.16
That’s when the likes of Diego Maradona (he retired in 1997), Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, George Weah, Eric Cantona, and Michael Ladrup were among the best football players in the world. Maradona was the highest-rated player in the game, with a 93 rating.
18. Avicii’s “The Nights” Was Released in December 2014
You may be wondering what a song stat is doing in a computing game piece. Well, each FIFA game has had phenomenal songs, and Avicii’s “The Nights” is memorable for so many reasons.
For starters, rest in peace Tim Bergling (his real name). His song, The Nights, was included in FIFA 15, which was released in September 2014, and is widely regarded as the best FIFA soundtrack of all time.17

The song was officially released in December 2014, almost three months after the launch of FIFA 15. Since I’m a staunch FIFA 14 supporter, I prefer John Newman’s “Love Me Again” (it has been ranked 5th in the list), but oh well. The people have spoken.
19. The Last Edition of Sensible Soccer Was Released in 2007
The FIFA franchise has had many so-called competitors over the years, of which Sensible Soccer was one of the best (though no one could or will match the might of FIFA). First of all, let’s have a good laugh at its name. Sensible Soccer (AKA Sensi), really? My grandma could have come up with a better franchise name!
The last edition of the game, Sensible World of Soccer, was released in 2007.16 Unsurprisingly, it still has a cult following.
20. Cristiano Ronaldo Has Appeared on FIFA Covers Six Times
I am a Ronaldo fan through and through, but I was sincerely expecting Lionel Messi to top this stat. I have a wide smile on my face, so who cares? I guess it’s all about marketing. I know what you’re thinking: “He probably thinks Ronaldo is the GOAT.” I’ll admit I’m a fanboy, but I can also acknowledge greatness. Lionel Messi is the best player of all time.
Anyway, coming back to more pressing matters (JK), Ronaldo has appeared on FIFA video game covers six times (FIFA 07, FIFA 08, FIFA 09, FIFA 10, FIFA 18, and FIFA 19).
21. The eSports Market Will Generate Revenue of $4.30B in 2024
It’s time to venture into the eSports market! You’re well aware of sports betting, but have you ever heard of eSports betting? eSports betting is when you make a wager on the outcome of a computer or video game — and it’s more popular than you might think. Though, honestly, I’d recommend you avoid both.
The global eSports market is projected to generate revenue of approximately $4.3 billion in 2024. eSports betting is its largest segment, with a forecasted revenue of more than $2.5 billion in the same year (if you’re genuinely interested, explore the betting odds on Bovada).

The market is estimated to display a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.10% between 2024 and 2028, resulting in a healthy revenue of around $5.80 billion by 2028.18
22. The U.S. eSports Market Will Create Revenue of $1B+ in 2024
eSports and betting are a match made in heaven (or hell for some, unfortunately) in the U.S. The USA eSports market is the world’s largest in terms of revenue generated by a country. Here’s a fact to show you just how popular eSports are in the U.S.: It’s estimated to create revenue of more than $1 billion in 2024 and will account for more than 20% of global revenue!18,19
The eSports betting segment is the largest in both the global eSports market and in the U.S. — it’s projected to produce revenue of around $721 million in the same year.
Further, my research revealed the U.S. eSports market is predicted to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 14.6% between 2024-28, leading to a revenue of more than $1.50 billion by the end of the forecast period.19
23. The eSports Market Will Have 856M+ Users by 2028
If you’re considering getting in on the eSports betting action, now is the time (responsibly, of course). While I don’t indulge in it or condone it (we pick our own poisons), the global eSports market is forecast to have more than 856 million users by 2028, out of which approximately 66 million will be from the U.S.19
The global user penetration rate is projected to increase from 11.7% in 2024 to 13.7% by 2028, and the average revenue per user (ARPU) is expected to be around $6.18 If you live in the U.S., your ARPU is estimated to be more than three times higher at $21.41.18,19
24. Dota 2 Had a Cumulative Tournament Prize Pool of $30.82M in 2023
It’s time to set aside boring, revenue-based eSports stats; I promise, it’s a rollercoaster ride from now on (you won’t need barf bags)! Let’s dive into some fun-filled eSports facts! If you’re looking to make money playing eSports, try Dota 2.
It’s extremely competitive, so you’ll have to put in many hours of effort to master your skills. Dota 2 is the most lucrative eSports for gamers, with a cumulative tournament prize pool of more than $30 million in 2023.

The International, which is the leading Dota 2 eSports tournament, had an overall prize pool of about $3.38 million in the 2023 edition. PUBG Mobile is another solid choice for competitive gaming, and perhaps a more viable one as I’m sure you use your smartphone more than your computer system (it also has an easier learning curve).
PUBG Mobile ranked second, with a cumulative tournament prize pool of around $21.22 million in the period, followed by Fortnite at $19.72 million.20
25. The International 2021 Had a Prize Pool of $40M+
If you want to become a professional Dota 2 player, The International is the holy grail. I was stunned to learn just how much The International 2021 prize pool was worth. The 2021 edition of The International was the highest paying in eSports history, with an overall prize pool of more than $40 million.
Six other editions of the tournament feature in my list of eSports tournaments with the highest overall prize pool: The International 2019 ($34.33 million), The International 2018 ($25.53 million), The International 2017 ($24.69 million), The International 2016 ($20.77 million), The International 2022 ($18.93 million), and The International 2015 ($18.43 million).20
26. OG Has Earned $36M+ Through Dota 2 eSports Tournaments
Thinking about forming your own Dota 2 team for the next tournament? Here’s who you’re up against.
OG is the world’s most successful Dota 2 eSports team, having earned more than $36 million through eSports tournaments. The professional eSports team also has Counter-Strike 2 and Rocket League contingents (though if you ask me, Rocket League is like a poor man’s FIFA).
Notably, Team OG is also home to N0tail, the most successful player in Dota 2 history. If you want to “git gud,” he should be your idol (don’t be a rebel). Analyze his gameplay, take notes, and begin practicing! In second place, the Dutch eSports team, Team Liquid, has amassed prize money exceeding $28 million through Dota 2 eSports tournaments.
Team Spirit ranks third, with total career winnings of more than $27 million.22 Remember, while there’s potential to be a Dota 2 millionaire, it’s only possible through hard work. Start now.
27. There Will Be 318M+ eSports Enthusiasts in 2025
The eSports market is booming, and an increasing number of users are tuning in to watch their favorite gamers competing in tournaments or streaming games online. You can think of it as a guilty pleasure; I mean, why just watch? Pick up your controller/keyboard and play! Anyway, popular platforms, including my favorites, are Twitch and YouTube Gaming.

If you’re an eSports watcher, you’re not alone. There will be an estimated 318.10 million eSports followers in 2025, representing a significant increase of roughly 47.80% since 2020 (215.20 million supporters). This makes me think the gaming (and population) boom brought about by COVID-19 is here to stay.
Additionally, more than 322 million people are predicted to occasionally watch eSports games in the same year.23
28. The LoL World Championship 2023 Had a Peak Viewership of 6.40M
eSports watchers, this stat is for you! The League of Legends World Championship 2023 recorded a peak viewership of approximately 6.40 million. If you tuned in, then you made history — it’s the most-watched eSports tournament of all time.
The Free Fire World Series 2021 received the second highest number of views, with around 5.41 million peak viewers. The League of Legends 2022 World Championship grabs third spot, with a peak viewership of about 5.15 million.24 I wonder which tournaments will break these records next!
29. Team Liquid Has Earned $48.58M in Total Prize Money
Mind you, winnings like these may have you second-guessing your career choice. While OG is the king of Dota 2, Team Liquid is the emperor of the eSports kingdom. Team Liquid, which of course primarily competes in Dota 2 eSports tournaments, has won nearly $49 million in total prize money.25 Its most recent accomplishment in a major Dota 2 tournament was placing third in the 2022 edition of The International, the world’s largest Dota 2 tournament.
In comparison, OG has earned roughly $38 million in total prize money — about $36 million is from Dota 2 tournaments. 22,25 If you achieve just 10% of what these teams have accomplished in your career, you’d be set for life!
30. N0tail Has Earned $7.18M in Career Winnings
Here’s more on eSports as a (lucrative) career path.
Let’s take the example of 30-year-old Johan Sundstein (you may know him as N0tail), the OG professional Dota 2 player from (appropriately enough) team OG. He has amassed approximately $7.18 million in career winnings.

Another prominent figure in Dota 2 folklore, Jesse Vainikka (also known as JerAx), won the 2018 and 2019 editions of The International with team OG and has earned nearly $6.60 million.26
31. Ninja Has 19.1M+ Twitch Followers
Let’s assume you’ve made it as a professional eSports player. If you ever get bored of competing in tournaments (after a hopefully long and prosperous career), you can always retire and earn a fortune like American online streamer, YouTuber, and professional gamer, Richard Tyler Blevins (also called Ninja). He has more than 19 million followers on Twitch and nearly 24 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel. 27,28
If you’ve never watched him play, his channel is worth checking out. The 33-year-old plays games like Fortnite, Valorant, and Warzone and has accumulated more than 2.50 billion views on YouTube.28 Raul Alvarez Genes (AKA auronplay), streams games such as Supermarket Simulator and Rust on Twitch, and has the second-most followers at around 16.50 million.29
32. GTA V Was Streamed for 128 Hours on Twitch in April 2024
Grand Theft Auto was a video game staple in my teens. I mean, who didn’t play it? Despite being released more than a decade ago in 2013, the classic action-adventure game, GTA V, is still a fan favorite in the Twitch community — it was streamed for around 128 hours in April 2024.30 And here’s a secret. I still play it on rainy Sunday afternoons.
GTA V-related event streaming on Twitch peaked in May 2021, when the game was watched for approximately 253 hours.30 Other popular games you can stream on Twitch include Fortnite, Volarant, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Apex Legends. I especially recommend Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II streams.
33. Roughly 83% of Surveyed Internet Users Play Games on Any Device
I play games on my smartphone, laptop, and TV. I assume you do too. According to a Statista survey I found, the global gaming penetration among internet users is 83.10%.
It’s highest in the Philippines — 97.1% of the country’s responding internet-using population play games on a device such as a smartphone, personal computer, or tablet. Filipino parents may be facing challenges in encouraging their children to study!
Country | Percentage of Users Who Play Games on Any Device |
---|---|
1. The Philippines | 97.1% |
2. Indonesia | 95.9% |
3. India | 94.2% |
4. Saudi Arabia | 94% |
5. Thailand | 93.2% |
6. UAE | 93% |
7. Vietnam | 92.7% |
8. South Africa | 92.2% |
9. Egypt | 91.9% |
10. Mexico | 90.6% |
The gaming reach in Indonesia (95.9%), India (94.2%), Saudi Arabia (94%), and Thailand (93.2%) is quite high too — all five markets are mobile-first (PUBG Mobile much?).31
34. About 70% of Surveyed Internet Users Play Games on Smartphones
We carry our phones with us everywhere we go, so this fact doesn’t shock me. According to the same Statista survey, of the 83.10% internet users that play games on any device, more than 70% prefer smartphones.
Laptops and desktop computers are the second-most popular way to play games.31 Gaming is most popular amongst people in the 16-24 age bracket, with 92.60% of male respondents and 89.60% of female respondents stating they play games.32 I got my first cellphone when I was 16, so this stat is far from a shocker!
35. Tetris Has Sold 520M+ Units Worldwide
When you hear the name “Tetris,” you probably think of vintage arcade-style gameplay. It’s certainly a pop culture phenomenon. I’ll be honest with you, when I first heard the name, I misheard it as “tetanus,” the bacterial injection. I was like, “Why would anyone play with tetanus?” I was with my friend, Timothy, at the time and, of course, was laughed at for a good few minutes.
Anyway, Tetris is a puzzle video game that was created by Russian Alexey Pajitnov in 1985. It’s the world’s best-selling video game franchise, with more than 520 million units sold worldwide.
The franchise has more than 100 officially licensed games, the first of which was the Electronika 60 version.34 The Pokémon franchise ranks second (the theme song is literally playing in my head while I type this), with more than 481 million copies sold, followed by the Activision-owned Call of Duty franchise, with more than 435 million units sold.33
36. Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Sword, & Shield Have Sold 57.65M+ Units Worldwide
Speaking of Pokémon’s theme song, Pokémon has been a household name for decades and is still going strong. I have about 100 Pokémon cards I collected in the ‘90s, saved in a binder with card sleeves. I also have a Pikachu toy (don’t judge me)! Now that I think of it, I haven’t actually played a Pokémon game, which says a lot about how far reaching the franchise is. I’m adding it to my to-do list! Let’s explore some options.
Game | Units Sold |
---|---|
1. Pokémon Red/Green/Blue | 31.38 million |
2. Sword and Shield | 26.27 million |
3. Pokémon Scarlet/Violet | 24.92 million |
The most popular games in the Pokémon series are the original Red and Blue (Green in Japan) versions, having sold a staggering 31.38 million copies worldwide. Sword and Shield, the first generation of Pokémon to debut on the Nintendo Switch, comes in second at 26.27 million, for a combined total of over 57.65 million copies sold!
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, released in late 2022, heralded the ninth generation of Pokémon games and have sold more than 24 million units.35
37. The eSports World Cup 2024 Has a Prize Pool of $60M
The first-ever eSports World Cup, the eSports World Cup 2024 (a World Cup? Seriously? I need to take up eSports as a career already!) took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It wrapped up in late August 2024 and usurped The International 2021 as the eSports tournament with the most prize money at $60 million.
If you think that’s an astounding amount of money, you’re right — The International 2021, in comparison, had a total prize pool exceeding $40 million.20
The tournament featured more than 2,500 professional gamers and gaming enthusiasts and introduced a new cross-game competition format.36 If you haven’t heard of Team Falcons, it’s time to brush up on your knowledge. They won the tournament and made history.21
38. GTA V Has Sold 200M+ Copies Worldwide
You already know GTA has been a long-standing favorite of mine and has stood the test of time. Did you really think I could complete this piece without touching GTA VI? Let’s complete the formalities first; developed and released by Rockstar Games, GTA V is one of the best-selling video games of all time — it has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.
Released in September 2013, 2020 (strangely) was the game’s best-selling year since 2013 — it sold around 20 million copies in 2020.37 This might be due to the game’s popular online component, allowing people to live out their action movie fantasies in the fictional state of San Andreas. The next installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA VI, will be released in 2025, as has been confirmed by Rockstar Games — you can watch the trailer now.38
39. More Than 40% of U.S. Gamers Spend $41 to $60 On a Video Game
I sure don’t miss the old days of begging my parents for an advance on my allowance to buy the latest computer games! I think of them as bittersweet memories, as I didn’t get to buy all the games I wanted.
While I have the money to buy my favorite games now, I just don’t have the time (10-12 hours isn’t enough, my friend).

Approximately 40% of gamers in the USA across all platforms don’t mind spending between $41 and $60 on a video game. More than 40% of computer and console gamers were comfortable spending this amount, while more than 30% of mobile-only gamers prefer free games (the misers!).41
40. The World’s First Video Game Was Developed in 1952
Unless you’re a video game history buff, you’d probably assume that Pac-Man or Space Invaders were among the first video games, maybe Pong if you’re a little more savvy. Well, you’re more than two decades off the mark.
Interestingly, the world’s first video games were created in the research laboratories of scientists! British professor A.S. “Sandy” Douglas developed OXO, the world’s first-ever video game, in 1952.
The non-interactive game simulates tic-tac-toe and was developed by Douglas as part of his doctoral dissertation on human-computer interaction at the University of Cambridge.
Non-interactive games are boring. The first computer-based (analog) and interactive video game, Tennis for Two, was created by William Higinbotham at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in 1958; it simulates a game of tennis and is played on an oscilloscope (I wonder if Roger Federer has played it).42
41. The World’s First Video Game System Was Invented in 1967
I could have placed this stat much higher on the list, but I’m notorious for playing mind games (the pleasant kind, of course). Remember when I talked about the “Brown Box,” the world’s first video game system? It was, in fact, invented in 1967 (and commercially launched in 1972) by German-American engineer and gamer developer, Ralph H. Baer.
Despite the contributions of Douglas and Higinbotham to the advent of the video game industry, they were far from gaming gurus. Baer is the true “father of video games.” He envisioned playing video games on a television screen and, along with colleagues at Sanders Associates, Inc., invented the Brown Box.13 We’ve certainly come a long way since those days.
42. The First Video Game Competition Took Place in 1972
I play UNO with my girlfriend every day, and we turn our “bouts” into a competition with a “prize” (like the loser having to take out the trash). If only she would agree to let me stream our games online! While our gaming history only goes back a few months, the roots of professional video gaming were established in the early 1970s.

The first-ever video game competition was based on Spacewar! and took place at Stanford University in 1972 — it was called the “Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics” (though only competitors from Earth seemed to attend) and the competition’s winner received a year’s subscription to Rolling Stone magazine.43
43. The World’s First Marriage Between a Human and a Video Game Character Took Place in 2009
I’ll admit, this is an odd one. In what may be deemed bizarre by “human” standards, Tokyo man “Sal 9000” — his real name is unknown — married video game character Nene Anegasaki from the Nintendo DS dating simulator Love Plus in 2009. I have to ask: Which game character would you marry? I’d pick Lara Croft or Princess Zelda (sorry, girlfriend)!
The event was streamed online and watched by thousands.44 While the marriage isn’t legally binding, it goes to show how virtual reality can transcend into the physical world — gamers like you and I can develop a deep bond with game characters.
44. The World’s Largest Arcade Machine Is 4.90m Tall, 1.98m Wide, and 1.11m Deep
When’s the last time you visited an arcade? If you’re a hardcore gamer, you better pack your bags and travel to Zaragoza! Spanish gaming company, MadLab Zaragoza, created the world’s largest arcade machine in 2021; It measures 4.90 meters tall, 1.98 meters wide, and 1.11 meters deep.45
The machine is located at MadLab’s store outlet at the La Torre Outlet shopping complex, Zaragoza, and runs a massive version of Tetris, the best-selling game franchise of all time. You can play a game on the arcade machine for just $5 per game (though your travel expenses will cost a lot more).46
45. Lil Poison Signed an MLG Contract at Age 7
I certainly couldn’t have guessed the youngest professional gamer’s age.
In 2005, American gamer Victor De Leon III, also known as Lil Poison (got to love that name), signed a Major League Gaming (MLG) contract at the tender age of seven, becoming the youngest-ever signed professional video gamer.47 I was shooting kid-sized hoops at that age.

Lil Poison occasionally streams his Halo gameplay on Twitch and has nearly 2,000 followers.48
46. Super Mario Bros. Has Sold 40M+ Copies Globally
Super Mario Bros. was another favorite of mine growing up (I had a lot of favorites, shush) — a sentiment I’m sure a lot of you share.
Nintendo’s iconic console video game, Super Mario Bros., has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. It’s the Mario franchise’s second-most popular game after Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which has sold approximately 62 million units globally.49
Super Mario Bros. is more than just a game — released in 1985, it saved the gaming industry, which was struggling in the early 1980s, from collapsing.50 It also features one of the world’s most recognizable theme songs! I bet you’re humming it now!
47. Ryota Wada Achieved a Perfect Score on the Expert Setting of DDR Aged 9
Here’s another kid who made it big. Japanese gamer Ryota Wada, age nine, achieved a perfect “AAA” rating on a Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) game set to the expert level in 2010.
He performed this feat to the song “Hyper Eurobeat” and had been practicing for four years (practice makes perfect).51 Interestingly, he could have achieved this feat earlier had he had a non-slip surface at his disposal (the more friction, the better?).
48. A Copy of Super Mario Bros. Sold for $2M
Super Mario Bros. is a historic game, so I’m not surprised a copy of it sold for $2 million at an auction on the Rally website in 2021, making it the world’s most expensive video game unit ever sold.
Game | Selling Price |
---|---|
1. Super Mario Bros. | $2,000,000 |
2. Super Mario 64 | $1,560,000 |
3. The Legend Of Zelda | $870,000 |
4. Sonic The Hedgehog | $420,000 |
5. Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out | $312,000 |
It was a sealed test copy with a WATA 9.8 A+ grade, indicating it was in exceptional condition.52 If you have a couple million dollars to spare, you can acquire your own rare test copy of Super Mario Bros. Or you can just play it on your Switch. Probably cheaper that way.
49. A Copy of Super Mario 64 Sold for $1.56M
A copy of another game from the Mario franchise, Super Mario 64, was sold for $1.56 million at an auction on the Heritage Auctions website in 2021, making it the world’s second-most expensive video game copy ever sold. That’s a lot of gold coins!
The condition of the Nintendo 64 unit was even better than the table-topper — it had a WATA 9.8 A++ grade, specifying it was in pristine condition.53
50. Lisa Courtney Has 21,000+ Items of Pokémon Memorabilia
After reading this stat, you’ll wish you had a Pikachu and Charizard plush toy by your bedside! British Pokémon fanatic Lisa Courtney has more than 17,000 items of Pokémon memorabilia — she’s the world record holder for the largest collection of Pokémon memorabilia.54 She set the record, verified by the Guinness World Records organization, in 2016, with 17,127 items.55
She began assembling her collection at the age of nine — it includes Pokémon trading cards, posters, books, plush toys, action figures, and even toilet paper! My childhood self is oozing with jealousy.
The Future of Computer Gaming
If you haven’t watched the Black Mirror episode “Striking Vipers,” X,” rated TV-MA, I highly recommend streaming it on Netflix (though don’t bother if you aren’t 17 years of age or above); It portrays the concept of a metaverse-style video game environment where the virtual world, “Striking Vipers X”, blends effortlessly with reality — this is what the gaming industry strives for (if only I could get my hands on that game!).
While we aren’t quite there yet and it may take more than a decade to achieve fully immersive virtual reality technology (VR), there are several promising breakthroughs you should be excited about. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms in gaming, in particular, is worth talking about. AI/ML technology is expected to fuel game design and make it possible for you to have believable conversations with in-game characters.
They could remember your backstory, for example, and interact like real humans (an ironic breath of fresh air in this increasingly mechanical world) — this will enable an element of uniqueness and depth to games. Gaming is all about having fun, and the industry’s future promises many thrilling adventures. So pick up your controller, call a friend over, and have a blast!
Sources and Further Reading
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/420621/number-of-pc-gamers/
- https://www.statisticstimes.com/demographics/world-population.php/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1344668/revenue-video-game-worldwide/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/421848/game-revenues-global-companies/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1197213/market-value-of-the-largest-gaming-companies-worldwide/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1101872/unit-sales-video-game-consoles/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/755111/pubg-number-players/
- https://beebom.com/fortnite-player-count/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/808630/csgo-number-players-steam/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/807457/dota-2-number-players-steam/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1179973/steam-games-peak-concurrent-players/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1330211/steam-peak-concurrent-players/
- https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_1301997/
- https://www.lifewire.com/history-of-nintendo-729734/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1318204/top-ranked-video-games-sales-europe-platform/
- https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/10-interesting-facts-about-fifa-by-ea-sports/
- https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-the-best-fifa-soundtracks-of-all-time-have-been-ranked-20220419/
- https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/esports/worldwide/
- https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/esports/united-states/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/501853/leading-esports-games-worldwide-total-prize-pool/e-pool/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/esports-world-cup-draws-more-than-500-million-viewers-crowns-team-falcons-first-club-champion-302230204.html
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1351116/highest-earning-dota2-teams/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/490480/global-esports-audience-size-viewer-type/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/507491/esports-tournaments-by-number-viewers-global/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/954410/highest-winning-esports-team/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/518010/leading-esports-players-worldwide-by-earnings/
- https://www.twitch.tv/ninja/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAW-NpUFkMyCNrvRSSGIvDQ/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/486914/most-popular-twitch-channels-ranked-by-followers/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109392/gta-5-hours-watched-twitch/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/195768/global-gaming-reach-by-country/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/326420/console-gamers-gender/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1247964/best-selling-video-gaming-franchises/
- https://tetris.wiki/List_of_official_Tetris_games
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072224/pokemon-unit-sales-worldwide/
- https://esportsworldcup.com/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1247955/gta-v-unit-sales-worldwide-total/
- https://www.rockstargames.com/VI/
- https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1277728/physical-or-digital-core-gamers-in-the-us/
- https://www.statista.com/forecasts/997154/hours-spent-on-playing-video-games-per-week-in-the-us/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/201093/revenue-of-the-us-video-game-industry/
- https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/history-of-video-games/
- https://www.ma-no.org/en/news-and-events/videogames/the-first-videogame-tournaments-the-origin-of-eSports/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/16/japan.virtual.wedding/index.html/
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-arcade-machine/
- https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2022/10/06/spain-Guinness-World-Records-largest-arcade-machine/
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/youngest-person-to-be-a-professional-video-gamer/
- https://www.twitch.tv/reallilpoison/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/985770/mario-unit-sales/
- https://facts.net/lifestyle/entertainment/11-enigmatic-facts-about-super-mario-bros-video-game/
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/youngest-gamer-to-achieve-a-perfect-score-on-dance-dance-revolution/
- https://www.dualshockers.com/most-expensive-video-games/
- https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/a-rare-first-edition-copy-of-super-mario-64-just-sold-for-over-1-56-million-making-it-the-most-expensive-video-game-in-the-world-heres-why-it-cost-so-much/articleshow/84481935.cms/
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-collection-of-pokemon-memorabilia/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-56210809/