2024 Gaming Trends: What Retailers Need to Know

Gaming is a massive industry that is growing each year. And like other dedicated hobbyists, gamers invest in accessories that heighten their gaming experience. That makes gaming accessories a profitable product line for retailers. But retailers have to know which gaming accessories to stock. In this article, industry experts at TVCMALL provide insights into the 2024 gaming trends retailers need to know.

 

2024 Gaming Statistics

 

There are approximately 3.3 billion video game players worldwide, and the numbers grow each year. Asia has the most gamers by far, with about 1.48 billion players.

However, the U.S. is home to a thriving gaming market. According to the Entertainment Software Association, almost 191 million Americans play video games. And nearly a third of these players are older than 50. In fact, the average player is 36 years old.

One of the fastest-growing markets is the UK. Projections indicate that 70% of the UK population will be gamers by 2027.

The gender gap is also narrowing. In 2023, 46% of gamers were female. That’s a big leap from 38% in 2006.

All of this playing means that gaming is $282 billion industry. By 2027, gaming is expected to grow to $363 billion.

 

Gaming Trends for 2024

 

Technology powering the gaming industry is just as diverse as the players. As a result, gaming trends span across several types of gaming tech.

Esports

Esports is competitive gaming. Unlike the matches that happen in living rooms between friends, esports competitions are highly organized and involve pro-level players. The games often include a cash prize and are a big draw for spectators.

For fans, esports has all the allure and excitement of traditional sports. They dress up, pack stadiums, and cheer from the edge of their seats as they watch their favorite gamers play on giant screens. After the matches, fans line up to meet their heroes, get autographs, and pose for selfies.

Esports are increasingly popular. The U.S. has the most esports players, at about 3.7 million, followed by China, with about 2 million esports players.

And just like traditional sports, esports inspires a new generation of players to hone their skills and aim for the big leagues. Young gamers emulate their esports heroes and practice for hours each day, making them a key demographic for video game accessories.

VR Gaming

VR gaming creates an artificial 3D environment that players experience as real. With VR gaming, the reality outside of the game fades into the background and the player experiences the suspension of disbelief as their senses are immersed in the world of the video game.

While VR gaming has been around for a while, recent technological breakthroughs have made VR a 2024 gaming trend. These advancements create a more natural gaming environment with improved graphics. Gamers can socialize with other players in lifelike scenarios.

VR gaming is growing every year, with about 12% of U.S. households engaging with VR games. Yahoo Finance estimates VR gaming will grow to $65.5 billion by 2030.

Like other 2024 gaming trends, VR accessories are popular purchases. A VR headset case and VR headset cover are just two examples of the VR gear that gamers need. Retailers that position themselves as the best place for a VR accessories sale will THRIVE.

Mobile Gaming

About 78% of players play games on the go. And for many of these players, smartphones aren’t their best option for playing video games. Poor cell phone coverage, small screens, and awkward control “buttons” make gaming on cell phones less than ideal.

Portable wholesale video game consoles offer gaming on the go with physical controls and joysticks that make players feel as if they are in their living rooms. Parents love these handheld games to discourage cell phones for their kids.

Find Trending Gaming Accessories at TVCMALL

 

Find the best prices on your game controller wholesale stock and more at TVCMALL. We offer wholesale and dropshipping options. And if you don’t find what you want in our inventory of more than a million items, let us know. We’ll track down the products you want and source them for you. Let TVCMALL be your one-stop shop for your wholesale needs. Shop our online inventory today.