Gen Z sees gaming as shared culture

Gen Z perceives video gaming as a shared culture that includes as much social media and streaming as physical meetups. Nearly one in three Gen Z gamers belongs to a specific community, such as an esports team or a group of fans of a particular game franchise. This is one of the findings of the 2026 edition of the study The French and Video Games, conducted annually by Médiamétrie for SELL, the French video game publishers' association.

Gaming identity varies by generation

Thirty-six percent of French gamers consider themselves gamers, a proportion that rises to 54 percent among Gen Alpha (ages 11 to 16) and 53 percent among Gen Z (ages 17 to 31). The reasons vary by generation, with the youngest prioritizing online multiplayer and older gamers focusing on knowledge of a game's universe and following game news. Mastery of jargon and participation in online discussion groups are also part of this identity.

Online gaming is widespread and social

Three quarters of gamers (75 percent) play online, with the share rising to 87 percent in Gen Alpha and 84 percent in Gen Z. Online gamers share their sessions with friends, strangers, and online acquaintances. More than half (58 percent) say they have formed friendships directly through gaming, highlighting the social nature of online play.

Gen Z uses social platforms for gaming engagement

Gen Z gamers heavily rely on social platforms to follow game news and personalities. Forty percent are subscribed to game licenses, influencers, or players on social networks. Thirty-seven percent watch streams of their favorite players, and 28 percent watch streams of their favorite games. These activities are not limited to Gen Z, with regular gamers also engaging frequently with online content.

Gaming communities are positive and socially connected

Gamers who belong to a specific community have a very positive image of it. Eighty-nine percent feel comfortable in it, and 88 percent describe it as welcoming. Many have made friends through their community that they would not have otherwise met, and their social circles share this view. In-person and online interactions are common, with public events being the most frequent in-person meeting places.

Online gaming carries risks and new regulations

Seventeen percent of gamers state they have witnessed threats or harassment during an online session, while 80 percent claim they have never encountered such situations. Many adjust their behavior or protect their identity as a result. In response, PEGI, the European video game classification system, introduced new criteria in 2026, focusing on monetization and player interactions, including age restrictions for in-game purchases and chat features.

French gaming trends in 2026

In 2026, 38.7 million French people are gamers, or 7 out of 10, a slight decrease from 2025. The average age of gamers is 40, and 89 percent are adults. Gen Z has 62 percent female gamers, and the average gaming time is 5 hours 23 minutes per week. Gamers use an average of 2.1 devices, with consoles and smartphones being the most popular. Casual games are the preferred genre, and the average annual budget for game purchases is 117 euros.

Survey methodology and scope

The study was conducted by Médiamétrie for SELL, interviewing 4,002 French people aged 10 to 80 online, with results representative of the population. The survey took place between June 2 and June 24, 2026, using quota methods to ensure demographic balance.