Time2Play reveals how Spaniards spend screen time on gaming
In a recent Time2Play analysis, Spaniards average about 660 hours per year on video games, which translates to roughly two hours daily. The survey also highlights a notable pattern: younger users, particularly those in Generation Z born between 1995 and 2010, spend more than three hours a day glued to their screens compared with other age groups. This paints a picture of a generation that treats gaming as a central daily activity rather than a casual pastime.
To reach these insights, Time2Play conducted a survey in August of 1,050 Spaniards who reported playing video games regularly. The study aims to understand not only how much time is devoted to gaming but also the most common habits associated with heavy playtime and the behavioral tendencies around gaming culture in Spain.
Overall, Spaniards dedicate an average of 659.6 hours each year to video games, which is just under two hours per day. Within this breakdown, non-binary respondents allocate the largest share of their time to gaming, averaging 877.4 hours annually. By comparison, men spend about 739 hours per year and women about 551 hours. The data reveal a consistent pattern: those who identify outside the binary gender spectrum are more engaged with games on a yearly basis than their binary counterparts. While the average remains under two hours daily for most, a significant portion of players exceed two hours daily, with non-binary participants leading the way at 27 percent, followed by 19 percent for men and 10 percent for women reporting more than 180 minutes per day.
Generation shows a clear gradient in daily play. Generation Z tops the chart, with 22 percent of respondents reporting more than three hours of gaming per day. Generation Y follows at 12 percent, Gen X at 7 percent, and the so-called baby boomers at 5 percent. These figures underscore how younger generations are more likely to treat gaming as a long-term daily activity rather than a temporary pastime.
The Time2Play survey also explored what brings players back to gaming as a leisure option. Respondents were asked about whether they would delay other activities to continue gaming, including staying home when unwell to keep playing a particular title. Among Gen X and baby boomers, 7 percent and 5 percent respectively admitted this behavior, while younger cohorts showed higher tendencies; 30 percent of Gen Z and 23 percent of millennials reported having done so at least once. This indicates that a significant share of younger players are sometimes willing to pause daily routines to prolong gaming sessions.
Another behavior examined was whether players cancel plans or lie to friends to keep playing. The results show that 55 percent of Gen Z players acknowledged doing this, followed by millennials at 23 percent, Gen X at 25 percent, and baby boomers at 15 percent. The data illustrate a notable distinction in social risk-taking around gaming across generations, with the youngest groups more likely to prioritize playtime over social commitments on occasion.
They prefer to play to sleep
The study also delves into what gaming enthusiasts choose to sacrifice when a title captivates them. It reveals a tendency to set aside basic daily needs such as meals or sleep in order to continue playing. Generation Z stands out in this respect, with about 88 percent admitting they often stay up late to play even when they know the next day will require waking early. Millennials are close behind at 84 percent, followed by 70 percent of Gen X users and 55 percent of baby boomers who have skipped sleep for gaming on occasion.
Eating becomes a lower priority for many dedicated players as well. Across age groups, 47 percent of millennials report occasionally skipping meals to game, while 37 percent of Gen Z, 29 percent of Gen X, and 15 percent of baby boomers admit to the same habit. These patterns show how gaming can vie with basic routines, particularly among younger generations who invest substantial time into their favorite titles.
The Time2Play study highlights a recurring theme: when gaming occupies a central role in daily life, certain routines and social habits are adjusted or relaxed. The findings offer a snapshot of contemporary gaming culture in Spain and reflect broader global trends in youth engagement with interactive entertainment. While the data points focus on behavior and time allocation, they also hint at the social and psychological dimensions of gaming that researchers continue to explore. Observers should consider how these patterns influence family life, work, and education as more individuals integrate gaming deeply into their everyday experiences.