Only 37% of Gamers Buy Three or More New Games in the USA Per Year
Image Credit: LEGO Party
Fewer people are opening their wallets for new releases. A fresh Circana study shows that most gamers in the United States now limit their purchases, signaling a major shift in how players spend on games.
How Often Gamers Actually Buy
Circana’s breakdown shows that only around 37 percent of players buy more than two new games per year. The rest either wait for price drops, stick to what they already own, or spend their time inside live-service titles.
More than once a week 4%
About once a month 10%
Every three months 22%
Every six months 18%
About once a year 12%
Less than once a year 33%
A third of players rarely buy anything new at all. That stat alone says a lot about the state of gaming right now.
Why Spending Is Dropping
With major games locked at seventy dollars, the math just doesn’t work for a lot of people. Consoles, controllers, and expansions all add up fast. Players are being forced to choose fewer games that will actually last.
Game Pass and PlayStation Plus made it easier to skip full-price purchases for a while, but that edge is fading. As both subscriptions raise costs, the sense of “unlimited gaming” starts to feel like another monthly bill.
Too Many Games, Too Little Time
Even players who can afford more titles don’t always want them. The average modern game demands dozens of hours, constant updates, and seasonal grinds. When one release eats half a year, buying another just doesn’t make sense.
Long-term games like Helldivers 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 show that keeping players engaged matters more than selling them something new every few months. Developers are learning to build games meant to stick around.
What Comes Next
The drop in frequent buyers means studios will chase safer bets. Sequels, remasters, and massive franchises will dominate because they guarantee return buyers. But creative studios still have a lane if they focus on originality and respect for player time.
Final Blurb
Only a fraction of players are still buying games the old-fashioned way. Everyone else is slowing down, spreading out purchases, and looking for lasting value. Developers that build smarter, not just bigger, will be the ones that survive this shift.
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