New research commissioned by Xbox and conducted by YouGov reveals that by 2024 Australians will be more likely to play or watch gaming-related content than go to the cinema or attend a live music event. It turned out that there is a high possibility that
The survey of 1,036 adults found that 60% of respondents would have participated in some form of gaming in 2024. Meanwhile, movies were at 50% and live music at 30%. Younger Australians were also much more likely to be passionate about gaming (78%) compared to older Australians (46%).
Gaming-related holiday purchases are also expected to be around $200, more than double the $86 expected to be spent on movie nights during the same period. 46% of survey participants said they play more games during the holidays because they have more free time, and 40% also cited it as a family bonding activity. This rose to 61% for households with children.
Eve Oorloff, Game Category Leader at Xbox Australia, said: Over half (54%) of Australians surveyed are prioritizing this season’s video games, with a significant 28% eagerly anticipating new releases. ”
Australians will spend $4.4 billion buying games in 2023, an increase of 5% on the previous year, according to the latest International Games & Entertainment (IGEA) annual report. Ron Currie, CEO of IGEA, explains: The shift from movies (which once dominated the holiday pop culture conversation) to games highlights the mainstream appeal of this entertainment medium and the value for money games can offer consumers. ”
In contrast, Australia’s annual movie box office has struggled to recover following the coronavirus pandemic. The current 2024 box office gross of A$525 million already exceeds the 2023 box office gross of A$471 million per Box Office Mojo, but the pre-COVID-19 box office gross of 2019 This is still far short of A$782 million. Earlier this year, the executive director of Cinema Association Australia, the peak body for cinema operators, expressed hope that the recovery was still on track, but also called for further government support for the sector. . The ABC quoted him as saying: “We’re allocating huge amounts of government funding to making Australian films, and that’s to make sure they get seen.”
By comparison, Australia’s live music scene has had a difficult year. Despite major concerts such as Taylor Swift’s Ellas Tour taking place in February, major festivals such as Groovin’ the Moo and Splendor in the Grass have been canceled due to sluggish ticket sales. It has been cancelled. In the years since COVID-19, 25% of Australia’s live music venues, or 1,300, have closed. Additionally, the ongoing cost of living crisis means that people under 60 will spend less in 2024 than in 2023, leading to lower sales. A federal government inquiry from March this year is currently looking into ways to revitalize Australia’s live music industry.
DadLAN is a charity dedicated to fostering connections between men and fathers in local communities, operating a curated online community that caters to the needs of men and fathers, as well as improving social connections and We run regular community events with guided activities focused on building trust. , and improve mental health outcomes. Naturally, they consider games to be a strong bonding point in the family.
“The inclusive nature of gaming turns it into a powerful tool for mental health, family bonding, and broader social connections, giving everyone, from experienced players to beginners, a chance to relax and connect. 61% of families with children As I discovered during my vacation, gaming is more than just entertainment. It can be a bridge that strengthens relationships and builds community through shared challenges and fun moments. It strengthens bonds between all people and creates social spaces and interactions that are essential for good health,” commented David Pirogov, co-founder and director of DadLAN.
Regardless of what you plan to do with your time this holiday season, this research suggests that video games are here to stay as a regular part of Australians’ leisure and social time.
