Gen Z is cutting back on Video Game purchases.
- Thread starter Madflavor
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Alpha Male
Member
The problem with being poor is that you need to stop being poor.
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
Who are these $80, 100 hour games even for?
The largest demographic with both the money and the free time for such experiences is probably retired people.
Make cheaper, shorter games.
The largest demographic with both the money and the free time for such experiences is probably retired people.
Make cheaper, shorter games.
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SILKYSMOOTH30FPS
Member
f2p games don't require you to spend anything.
JayK47
Member
I was broke AF at that age. Ended up just playing UT and UT mods for most of it and missed out on a lot of games. Gen Z is small compared to Gen X and millennials. They also seem to think they should be able to afford a 4000 sf home and a Benz. High expectations caused by social media. Get a job as a plumber and AI won't take your job and you will make plenty of money.
IAmRei
Member
Youth today, seems mostly flocking on F2P and gacha. And in the sense traditional gaming, this could mean lot of not good business in the long run. F2P dev cost might not much if compared with marketing cost. Which lead to not much left room for new devs soon. I work closely with lot of interns, which means, all above in OP said, are true. At leeast frrom what I experienced up this time. Youth are not in the traditional gaming sense at all. Heck, even they cannot play normal singleplayer games, or even doesnt understand to to play using joycon properly...
IAmRei
Member
In my place, repairman, or handyman, mostly at least gen x. They got lot of jobs, and cannot handle it much because no regeneration/ no new guys (lot of gen z doesnt want hard works) which lead these worker flooded by works, with smaller team. The job are always there, but no youth wants to take it right now. The payment is considered quite nice tbh.
Madflavor
Member
What do you expect from them? Gen Z entered the workforce on Hardcore Difficulty. They were raised on social media, which devestated their mental health and riddled them with anxiety. Many of them are in a lifetime of debt, with jobs that haven't kept up with inflation, and are priced out of buying homes. I don't blame them for being angry and pissed off.
peish
Member
As a boomer, i too hesitates to buy BF6 when i looked back at my receipts, BF4 was bought at half the price, and that includes all pre-order DLC expansion packs...
BlackTron
Member
It's not required but what's the average spend? We don't know. You can pay a lot more in MTX than the price of a 1p game
Lucifers Beard
Member
This makes me really happy. It's good to know that there are still some people out there that enjoy older games and are sick of the AAA garbage most developers seem to be shitting out recently.
RetroGamingUK
Member
Someone wearing AR goggles with AI embedded is taking those jobs.
RetroGamingUK
Member
I'm in my early 40s, it's the same as friends my age being into 60s/70s music.
64gigabyteram
Reverse groomer.
for pc gen z fellows a steam family share with some friends is the best decision you can make
every game one guy buys the whole group gets to play and you add thousands of dollars worth of games to your library
every game one guy buys the whole group gets to play and you add thousands of dollars worth of games to your library
The Cockatrice
I'm retarded?
80 Euro prices thanks to the big corporations. Cant wait for them to lose all sales. Keep raising those prices, I wanna see all of them fall and burn when nobody buys their generic safe triple A trash anymore.
Lambogenie
Member
Not much income and most likely their parents were paying anyway through gifting.
Economy is bad, free games/annual COD are plenty, why spend until there is a sale.
Economy is bad, free games/annual COD are plenty, why spend until there is a sale.
ItsGreat
Member
Yep. They were given a lot of brand spanking new shit at the end of the war. And wore it all out and left us with nothing.
It's like us being given a clapped out old car that they never changed the oil or tyres on. It's a classic honest.
RetroGamingUK
Member
One of the biggest trends of the 2030s will be millenials inheriting property and wealth from boomer parents.
Many millenials are going to be quite well off in a few years.
cormack12
Gold Member
I think it's partly true but without context it's pretty moot. Were still correcting after covid and putting prices up to $70 was meant to maintain that bump.
I don't think it's a sky is falling moment, it's just there is more competition for each dollar. Every thing from car payments, the latest fad from tiktok etc. This generation is by far the stupidest. Cut back a couple of takeouts, a couple of nights out, cancel your spotify sub for one month and some starbucks/Costa and you have 80-90% of a brand new aaa game saved. The problem is
I don't think it's a sky is falling moment, it's just there is more competition for each dollar. Every thing from car payments, the latest fad from tiktok etc. This generation is by far the stupidest. Cut back a couple of takeouts, a couple of nights out, cancel your spotify sub for one month and some starbucks/Costa and you have 80-90% of a brand new aaa game saved. The problem is
Effigenius
Member
When have 18-24 year olds ever had money?
Hector Hall
Member
Videogame aren't that much pricier that before.
Problem is most others things are, so your disposable money for entertainment is vastly reduced.
I am not a Z and my income is stable, but even myself I have had to cut back the spending in games. Some years ago I did buy one full price game each month minimum, plus some other budget ones, some second hand and some very cheap digital ones. All in all it could be like 30 games yearly.
Now I would say I buy like 6-7 full priced games, and then look for sales on others, digital only if it's dirty cheap, I still buy some 20 games but total spending is lower.
Problem is most others things are, so your disposable money for entertainment is vastly reduced.
I am not a Z and my income is stable, but even myself I have had to cut back the spending in games. Some years ago I did buy one full price game each month minimum, plus some other budget ones, some second hand and some very cheap digital ones. All in all it could be like 30 games yearly.
Now I would say I buy like 6-7 full priced games, and then look for sales on others, digital only if it's dirty cheap, I still buy some 20 games but total spending is lower.
ResurrectedContrarian
Suffers with mild autism
I legitimately believe FOMO is almost the only reason to buy new video games today, and that doesn't work on everyone.
You already have access to more incredibly well made, perfected games in every imaginable genre through emulation, GOG, etc. Or, if you're a very-online kid you can probably pick one mod-heavy game like Minecraft every several years and spend all your time in modding communities etc plunging the depths of that one system.
Almost every single major release these days is just not that convincing or compelling in light of all the other things you can play already. Almost zero games justify $60+ price tags.
That's not necessarily the Gen-Z thinking process here, but to me, the value of new gaming has nearly hit zero except for the occasional gem that stands out, and to me those are maybe one a year at best. The only reason most people bother with these pointless new games is to not feel left out.
You already have access to more incredibly well made, perfected games in every imaginable genre through emulation, GOG, etc. Or, if you're a very-online kid you can probably pick one mod-heavy game like Minecraft every several years and spend all your time in modding communities etc plunging the depths of that one system.
Almost every single major release these days is just not that convincing or compelling in light of all the other things you can play already. Almost zero games justify $60+ price tags.
That's not necessarily the Gen-Z thinking process here, but to me, the value of new gaming has nearly hit zero except for the occasional gem that stands out, and to me those are maybe one a year at best. The only reason most people bother with these pointless new games is to not feel left out.
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Clear
CliffyB's Cock Holster
To be honest, its not really indicative of much.
Mobile and GAAS is a huge portion of the market, and a downturn in the performance of just that segment would throw a huge amount of shade on how core gaming is doing.
People tend to interpret data in ways that fit their preconceived notions and worldview moving forwards.
Its funny, things are not great for young people right now economically, but the truth is they weren't night and day better 20 years ago. People harp on about how things were in the 1950's. but that's a long-ass time ago and acting like anyone's who's come up at other points during the last 75 years has had trials and tribulations of their own.
The current gen just have the benefit of the internet to broadcast and jointly-commiserate their grievances on, whilst bathing in consumerist fantasy-land propaganda that presents entirely unrealistic expectations.
The trouble is, a lot of these kids have been conned into thinking they are special, when they are capital "O" Ordinary. And like all ordinary people from the beginning of time, they get less.
The cold hard truth is, even in a scenario where anyone can win in the game of life, not everybody is going to.
Mortisfacio
Member
Yup. According to most data I can find, about 91% of Gen Z makes $60k or less a year. Housing is historically high. Rent is historically high. Rates are up. In the last 30 years, the average age of a first time home buyer jumped from 28 to 38 years old.
Then you add AI and robotics into the mix. Non-farm jobs reports haven't been stellar.
When you're low income and want to game, it's easy to just stick to Fortnite and other types of games where you can play, but don't "need" to spend money.
Audiophile
Member
Latter Gen Z will get a base PS5, one or two live service games, a basic ps plus sub, spend twenty quid a week on mtx and pretty much do that for the entire gen. Half of 'em are literal addicts.
PhillyPhreak11
Member
Can't blame them. I'm a millennial that just turned 40, and I'm also cutting back on video game spending too. We're a family of six (wife + four young children), so I'm not gaming as much as I used to. I wanted to splurge on a Switch 2, but decided against it.
Gaming has become an expensive hobby. If you're having trouble finding a job and have other obligations, those should take priority. Wish them luck.
Gaming has become an expensive hobby. If you're having trouble finding a job and have other obligations, those should take priority. Wish them luck.
Kacho
Gold Member
Pretty much. The Angry Bird generation.
TKOFromTokyo
Member
We're in the same family situation. My gaming has also dropped to essentially non-existent with a family. Recently, I've had the time to play video games. I've played Breath of the Wild, and while it's great game it feels like a chore to play when my time could be spent better. I've decided to no longer buy bit titles just because they are on sale. I'm also trying to figure out the best way to sell off my massive collection without having to pay taxes on everything because I don't have receipts for my purchases throughout the years. Gaming has become too expensive and too time consuming for me. I will save a lot of money changing this spending habit.
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LordOcidax
Member
Gen Z is cutting in buying houses too… And everything else… And for the Gen Alpha is going to be a lot worse.
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Sintoid
Member
90€ Mario Kart
6502
Member
Expectations are a problem and how ill prepared / lied to they have been.. A lot of it is pointless university debts.
My advice to any gen is only do university if you have a specific career in mind (Dr, Lawyer) that pays well enough to clear the debt and make up for those lost years. Be prepared to do lots of work for yourself on fix em upper houses and second hand cars. Start your family when you are young and can throw yourself at work and keep up at home. Don't expect to be comfortable until your mid 30s at the earliest. Accept nobody is coming to help you and most people will be a burden on you.
Good news is you can buy a few games for some escapism... provided the gens after you don't make them all as ugly and miserable as real life....
My advice to any gen is only do university if you have a specific career in mind (Dr, Lawyer) that pays well enough to clear the debt and make up for those lost years. Be prepared to do lots of work for yourself on fix em upper houses and second hand cars. Start your family when you are young and can throw yourself at work and keep up at home. Don't expect to be comfortable until your mid 30s at the earliest. Accept nobody is coming to help you and most people will be a burden on you.
Good news is you can buy a few games for some escapism... provided the gens after you don't make them all as ugly and miserable as real life....
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Knucklepux
Member
Found the Reddit incel
SILKYSMOOTH30FPS
Member
But you can play it without spending anything, and since the game is already free, that's perfect for somebody without any money to spend.
seb85
Member
Someone is butthurt hearing a matter of fact
IDKFA
I am Become Bilbo Baggins
I'm not surprised.
I'm 40 and my spending on video games has gone down a lot over the past few years.
I earn a very good wage, but the cost of living had increased to such an extent that I find a good chunk of my money goes on bills and food.
I'm earning double the salary I did pre-Covid, yet I feel poorer and have less disposable income.
I'm 40 and my spending on video games has gone down a lot over the past few years.
I earn a very good wage, but the cost of living had increased to such an extent that I find a good chunk of my money goes on bills and food.
I'm earning double the salary I did pre-Covid, yet I feel poorer and have less disposable income.
TKOFromTokyo
Member
It's not just him. This issue has been brewing for decades. Fiat currency and controlled inflation are a tax on the masses. Declining birth rates with an aging population requires more resources for the aged, leading to more costs that need to be funded by generations that were originally projected to be larger to support projected costs. The can has been kicked at least before the 80s. The government and industries dependent on it have grown out of control. Eventually we will reach a breaking point. I feel bad for my kids. Life will be much harder for them than it was for me.
64gigabyteram
Reverse groomer.
I sincerely doubt most of my generation are engaging in such frivolous purchases in an economy where a cheap house is 200k
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
Yeah, I didn't go to college, but landed a sweet job and learned my trade there. They paid for a lot of my training where I earned a few certifications. I stayed with the same company for 25 years and was able to retire early and now have two homes. We're renting out our first one.
And it doesn't hurt that I married a younger woman that makes more money than me and has awesome benefits for the family.
But I will say this, the work ethic of the average teenager has diminished over the years.
cormack12
Gold Member
Depends where you're from I guess but I can assure you it is. Just like those areas that statistically have 'impoverished' children walking round with iphones etc.
The actual percentage of people that headline applies to is realistically quite small.
The actual number of people being put in that group or laying claim to it is much higher
Gen Z Is Cutting Back On Video Game Purchases. Like, Really Cutting Back
Young zoomers just can't afford video games anymore. According to the Wall Street Journal, Gen Z is spending far less on gaming.www.vice.com
Not surprising at all when the average person under 30 has been priced out of buying a home these days, people have debt and loans up to their eyeballs, and the price of everything across the board has hiked dramatically in the past few years. I do pretty well for myself, but even I don't purchase games like I used to. I no longer have a "try it, you might like it" mentallity. I only purchase games I'm truly excited for and confident I'll like. I can imagine people younger than me who are still trying to get their livelihoods started, aren't entertaining the idea of buying $70 or $80 games on the fly.
good maybe we'll see less woke trash.
Mortisfacio
Member
There's a lot stacked against gen z that is out of their control, but anecdotally, I've seen a lot of this. My current job I'm the young guy, but I used to work an IT Help Desk and our younger groups started arguing over things like "I know I'm supposed to be here at 7, but I'm neurodivergent and struggle with waking up in the morning. So I'll try my best to be here at 7, but I can't promise". Anecdotally, I've never heard these excuses and talking points from millennials and older, but I've heard them 3 times from the early 20s crowd.
64gigabyteram
Reverse groomer.
Tradesjobs are Fine for people who don't care about making 6 figures. But we're in an economy where 6 figures today buys what 5 figures did in 1980.
I wanna shoot higher than that
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StreetsofBeige
Member
Problem is multifold IMO.
A lot of younger people had parents who did well, so they try to copy them ASAP despite not being in the same financial position. Live for today, jump to a nice home and car and they are like 27.... "We'll if my parents could get a nice suburban home for $150,000 in 1984, I wanna try to do the same even though a similar home now costs $1,000,000!"
Well. That's life. Things like homes usually go up in value as demand outstrips supply and most people who own homes have no urgency to leave. Unless they got a big reason they got to pack up ASAP and dump their house for cheap, they arent budging for a bad price. It's not like a company selling stuff and needs to sell cheap to get rid of inventory or fight for market share. Selling homes is like people selling stuff online. If they dont get a good price, they'll pull their listing and wait for another time.
So if it's not possible to replicate home life, next best thing to be happy is buy other shit.
The number of people at my past few places I worked at where people in their 20s making good money already driving BMWs or Audis was nuts. They got nicer cars than the directors. Oh, look at that..... most of them are still renting and doing vacations to Mexico twice a year too. So they are putting cars and probably $5,000 of vacations per year ahead of a home. I did the opposite when I moved out long time ago. Small starter condo first + a Honda Civic + no expensive vacays + bought most of my stuff cheap at Ikea. I even still got some of it now as it still works. And they wonder why they are broke. That BMW 3-series or SUV lease, or 8 year financing loan just sapped them of money and mortgage capacity. Great job bud, you just sunk a ton of money into a depreciating asset you can barely afford!
The farther you go back, the more value conscious people are. At least that's my guess. I dont get a sense boomers or their immigrant parents were making money at shitty jobs so they could blow it all buying as many black and white TVs, trips to Europe or $200 calculators when they released for the first time. Nor do I get a sense people back then amped up spending all their money buying dumb faddish products, designer clothes or endless orders from Sears catalogues. And as a Gen Xer I dont think were giant spenders either at a young age. We spent money, but not on as much weird shit as Milleneals and Gen Zers. After we build up money and assets to a nice level, then we'll spend on nice things when the affordability is fine.
The world is more and more a digital payment world too. Farther you go back in time, people paid cash. So you bought with what money you had (aside from big things like mortgages and car loans). People saved up and bought. Now, seems everyone can get a credit card, use debit, or any of those new wave digital payment apps which who knows what the qualifications are to use it. All this does is make people buy more stuff and go into debt more. Some people can control themselves, some cant.
I dont know what credit cards are like now, but my first credit card was one of those university student kinds of cards. My limit was $500 or $1000. I forget but it was low. No annual fee. No extra perks. And I only used it in emergency situations I didnt have cash on me. Cant buy a lot with that low limit anyway, but doesnt mean I should max it out.
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Roberts
Member
I went to a music festival last month and saw tons of 18-20 year olds. I don't think any generation has ever had as many athletic looking dudes. Pretty much everybody looks like they just off Calvin Klein undie commercial shoot. These dudes clearly spend their time in a gym and jogging, not playing video games.
DownLikeBCPowder
Member
Glad there's a little sense in here. Reaping what is sown for many decades, this is not some sudden issue as a result of recent policies, rather a compounding effect that becomes stronger and stronger (all the while policies continue to exacerbate and distort economic conditions).
dragonyeuw
Member
I'm almost 48 and I buy games very sparingly nowadays, and typically on heavy discount. Fortunately at this moment in time it's not a matter of finances, I'm just not compelled by alot of the stuff coming out now. I'm waiting for the Terminator 2 2D game and Marvel Invasion to release, those are pretty much the only games I expect to buy this year, otherwise I'm working on my Steam backlog.
It's not surprising that Gen z is cutting back, both for economic reasons and also some of them are perfectly fine playing mostly Minecraft and Fortnite. Everyday life has priced them out of having the disposable income for heavy gaming purchases.
It's not surprising that Gen z is cutting back, both for economic reasons and also some of them are perfectly fine playing mostly Minecraft and Fortnite. Everyday life has priced them out of having the disposable income for heavy gaming purchases.
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