More Than Half of Canadian Teen Video Game Players Are Interested in Careers in the Industry

Video Games Canada survey shows 48% of Canadians play video games regularly, mobile devices are the most popular way to play and strong enthusiasm for Canadian made games.

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- Video Games Canada (VGC), formerly the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), today released its 2026 Essential Facts report, highlighting the industry's appeal to the next generation of talent. Among teens aged 13 to 17 who play video games, more than half (54%) expressed interest in pursuing a career in the video game industry. Among adults aged 18 to 64 who play, 40% expressed the same interest, rising to 52% among Gen Z respondents.

The survey found that almost half of Canadians are regular video game players (48%), and that video games remain an important source of entertainment, relaxation and wellbeing for them, with 91% reporting they play video games to relax, manage stress or improve their mood. Canadians are also proud of the domestic industry, with 68% saying it is important that video games created by Canadian developers are available to play.

"Canada's video game industry has produced world class titles, and it is encouraging to see so many young Canadians looking to build careers in it," said Paul Fogolin, President and CEO of Video Games Canada. "These findings show the vital role video games play in Canadians' personal lives – with over 75 per cent recognizing their positive impact on mental wellness – alongside the economic opportunities our sector creates through creativity and innovation."

Supporting Canada's Video Game Industry
Surveyed video game players continue to express strong support for Canada's video game industry and its role in the national economy.

• 68% say it is important that video games created by Canadian developers are available to play.
• 61% believe the video game industry is important to Canada's economy.
• 77% believe Canada should invest the same amount as, or more than, competing countries to support the video game industry.
• Quebec video game players are the most likely to report having played a video game developed by a Canadian studio (46%), compared with 32% nationally.

The Benefits of Video Game Play
Video games remain an important source of entertainment, relaxation and wellbeing for surveyed players across the country.

• 91% of surveyed adults and 90% of surveyed teens report that they often or sometimes play video games to relax, manage stress or improve their mood.
• 78% of surveyed adults and 69% of surveyed teens believe video games can have a positive impact on mental wellness.
• Having fun is the leading reason adults play video games (59%), followed by unwinding (44%) and personal time (35%).
• More than eight in ten surveyed adults associate video games with joy (82%), mental stimulation (82%) and stress relief (81%).

Video Games Bring People Together
The report also highlights the important role video games play in helping people connect with family, friends and communities – particularly among younger Canadians.

• 70% of surveyed teens say video games help them stay connected with friends and family.
• 68% say video game play has helped them make new friends.
• Among adults who play online, 35% cite social interaction as one of the main reasons they participate in online video game experiences.

How Canadians Are Playing
Video games continue to draw people of all ages across the country.

• 48% of Canadians report playing video games on a regular basis
• Among video game players, 88% of adults and 93% of children and teens report playing at least weekly.
• Mobile and consoles are tied as the most popular game formats (60% each), followed by computers (44%) and hand-held devices (13%).
• Action / Adventure games are the most popular genre, with 44% of respondents playing regularly, followed by Puzzle games (40%), Strategy / Simulation (37%) and Casual / Social (35%).

For the full report and additional findings, please visit here.

Methodology
The 2026 Essential Facts survey was conducted by Burson, using the Leger Opinion online panel to survey 1,650 adults, 250 children (aged 6-12), and 250 teens (aged 13-17) between October 1-16, 2026 in Canada. The adult audience was weighted by age, gender and region. All respondents played video games within the past four weeks on a device they own.

About Video Games Canada
Video Games Canada is the national voice of the video game industry in Canada. We work for our members – Behaviour Interactive, Cloud Imperium Games, Codename Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Gameloft, Glu, Kabam, Ludia, Microsoft, NetEase Games, Netflix, Nintendo, Other Ocean Interactive, Relic Entertainment, Roblox, Solutions 2 Go, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Take-Two Interactive, Tencent, Ubisoft, WB Games, and Wizards of the Coast – to ensure legal, regulatory, and public affairs environments are favourable to long-term business development. For more information, visit videogamescanada.ca.

SOURCE Video Games Canada

Media Contact: Robert Sauer, [email protected]