Telecom. IT: Study:68% of internet users in Romania play games at least once a month

  About 68% of internet users in Romania, equivalent to approximately 7.9 million people, play games at least once a month, according to the most recent national study on the profiling and segmentation of video game users.Conducted in July 2025 by the Romanian Video Game Developers Association (RGDA) and Banca Transilvania, the study offers a detailed and updated picture of the behavior of Romanian gamers."According to the data collected, 68% of internet users in Romania, equivalent to approximately 7.9 million people, play at least once a month. This is a slight increase compared to 2022, despite the general population decline, supported by the expansion of internet access, including in rural areas," the study's authors said in a statement.According to the cited source, the PC or laptop remain the most used platforms for gaming in Romania, being used by 61% of active gamers; moreover, 42% of respondents, especially men, indicated that the PC is the preferred device for gaming. The mobile or tablet remains in second place, with a usage of 55%, being preferred by 20% of users, especially women. Consoles are used by 46% of active gamers, which indicates an increase compared to previous years, and 30% prefer them as their main platform. On average, a Romanian gamer uses 2.8 platforms for gaming, which indicates a diversification of the gaming experience.Game frequency remains high: 42% of PC gamers play daily, as do 48% of mobile gamers. In terms of purchases, 67% of active gamers invest in console games monthly. Digital stores such as Steam or the Epic Store remain the main sources of purchase, but they are recording a slight decrease compared to 2022.Piracy is decreasing, and the main motivation remains the high price of games, although more and more players say they pay every time a game is paid.The study also reveals that technologies based on artificial intelligence are viewed with optimism: 80% of respondents believe that AI will facilitate game development, and 74% anticipate the emergence of new automatically generated content.At the same time, 57% of players use banking applications to manage in-game payments, and 79% have not encountered problems related to financial losses.Also, according to the cited source, video streaming is becoming an integral part of gaming culture, in the context of which 73% of active gamers watch gaming content daily, especially on YouTube, which remains the dominant platform.And participation in gaming events is on the rise. A third of respondents have attended events such as East European Comic Con, Bucharest Gaming Week, Gaming Marathon or Esports Kings, signaling a strengthening of the local gaming community."We are in the third edition of the "Video Games in Romania" study, and the research shows us a more diverse, more connected and more aware market. We see increasingly involved players, who explore games not only as a means of relaxation, but also as a form of expression, socialization and even personal development. Consistent with the data from previous studies, the 2025 audience reflects a gaming culture that has overcome age, gender or format barriers. Also, almost half of consumers pay monthly for games or additional content, and more and more participate in events dedicated to gaming. We are dealing with a form of mainstream entertainment, a cultural, social and educational phenomenon," said Catalin Butnariu, member of the RGDA Board of Directors and coordinator of the study, quoted in the press release.A new element introduced by this edition of the study is the illustration of the differences between generations, which show interesting trends. Generation Z is the most active: 22% of young people spend over four hours a day playing games, prefer consoles and PC, and purchase games digitally. Millennials prefer strategy games and are active on multiple platforms, while Generation X plays less, prefers mobile devices and Facebook, and invests less in games.Therefore, the study concludes, the Romanian gamer of 2025 is more connected, more diverse and more willing to invest in quality experiences. Consoles have become more popular, mobile remains a widely accessible platform for most users, and AI and video streaming are shaping the future of the industry.The study was conducted on two samples: a nationally representative one, consisting of 1,043 respondents aged between 15 and 64, and one focused on active gamers, with 1,038 respondents who frequently play on at least one of the PC/laptop, console, mobile or tablet platforms.