SALTZMAN: New data shatters stereotypes about who plays video games

May 2, 2026 - 17:52

The image of a video game player as a solitary teenager in a dark basement is fading fast. New research from the Entertainment Software Association of Canada reveals that about 23 million Canadians now identify as gamers. That number represents a broad cross-section of the population, cutting across age, gender, and profession.

The data shows that the average gamer is not a kid. The average age of a Canadian player is 34 years old. Nearly half of all gamers in the country are women. The report also highlights that gaming is a mainstream hobby for working adults, with many players holding full-time jobs and managing families. People play on a range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to dedicated consoles and powerful PCs.

The findings challenge long-held stereotypes that gaming is a niche activity for young males. Instead, the numbers suggest that playing video games is now as common as watching television or streaming movies. The industry itself has grown alongside this shift, producing titles that appeal to casual players, competitive fans, and those looking for deep storytelling. As the demographics continue to widen, the cultural conversation around gaming is also changing, moving away from stigma and toward recognition of gaming as a normal part of modern life.