Key trends in Russia and North America: a shift toward mobile gaming
In recent years, a notable shift has emerged in gaming habits across Russia, with mobile devices taking the lead for the majority of players. A recent study cited by the DTF portal, drawing on VK Play research, shows a clear tilt toward mobile gaming among the population. The share of respondents who play on mobile devices stands at 85 percent, up four points from the previous year. This growth is especially visible among female players, whose participation on mobile platforms rose from 42 percent in 2021 to 45 percent in 2022.
Across all age groups, certain genres dominate the mobile gaming landscape. Puzzles and word games are the most popular, with crosswords leading at 79 percent and showing a strong appeal to female players. Virtual board games (70 percent), racing games (53 percent), and shooters (51 percent) also hold strong positions on mobile. Other genres such as simulators and action titles approach the 47 percent mark, while strategy games trail at about 44 percent interest. These figures illustrate how mobile gamers value quick, pick-up-and-play experiences as well as more immersive, longer sessions depending on the title.
PC gaming remains robust, with a slight increase in appeal compared to the prior year. Sixty-six percent of respondents report playing on PCs, up from 63 percent in 2021. Notably, female participation on computer platforms has risen from 34 percent to 40 percent, signaling broader appeal across genders. On PC, the leading genres include shooters (69 percent), racing (62 percent), and action games (49 percent). In contrast, survival and horror titles have seen a dip in popularity, particularly among players aged 25–35 and 45–54, suggesting shifting tastes as audiences mature and diversify their libraries.
Console gaming has experienced a decline in overall share, with only 17 percent of respondents still engaging with consoles. Console players tend to be men more than women, accounting for 35 percent male and 65 percent female usage, and the 25–34 age bracket shows the strongest console engagement at 39 percent. On consoles, racing games lead at 69 percent, followed by fighting titles at 64 percent and shooters at 62 percent. In the past six months, interest in these genres has grown within the 25–34 demographic, indicating a continued, if selective, appetite for console experiences among younger adults.
Commentary from industry observers notes that the transition toward mobile and PC gaming reflects broader changes in hardware availability, price sensitivity, and the increasing quality of midrange devices. The data also highlights a persistent appetite for diverse experiences, from casual word puzzles to competitive shooters, across different platforms and age groups. Observers in Canada and the United States can expect similar trends as global publishers align their portfolios to meet mobile-first behavior while maintaining strong PC and console options for core audiences. Cited: DTF portal based on VK Play research.