The Korea Association of Game Industry (K-GAMES) has officially unveiled the Power of Play 2025 report.

This comprehensive report is the result of a collaborative project led by the global market research firm AudienceNet, in partnership with associations including the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) in the US, along with various gaming bodies across Australia, Canada, and Europe.

The data was gathered from a survey of over 24,000 gamers aged 16 and older across 21 countries, including South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA.

According to the findings, gamers worldwide are increasingly viewing gaming not merely as a trivial pastime, but as a medium that delivers tangible positive impacts on their daily lives.

When asked why they play, the leading reasons were ▲for fun (66%), ▲stress relief (58%), and ▲keeping the mind sharp (45%). Regarding the emotional benefits, respondents highlighted ▲stress reduction (77%), ▲anxiety relief (64%), and ▲reduction in feelings of loneliness (64%) as significant outcomes.

Gamers also reported feeling improvements in their cognitive and social skills, citing gains in ▲creativity (77%), ▲problem-solving (76%), ▲collaboration (74%), ▲adaptability (72%), ▲critical thinking (71%), and ▲communication skills (67%). Furthermore, over half (54%) claimed that playing sports games actually helps improve their performance in real-world athletics.

Perhaps most heartening is the evidence that gaming serves as a bridge for intergenerational communication and family bonding. Some 55% of respondents agreed that "gaming has a positive impact on my relationship with my children," with 68% confirming they play games with their children at least once a month.

Cho Young-ki, Chairman of the association, remarked, "This report clearly demonstrates that gaming is more than just a diversion; it is a cultural asset that connects generations and reinforces emotional stability and social cohesion. We intend to continue our efforts to ensure these positive values are widely recognised within Korea."

The full report is available on the official Korea Association of Game Industry website for those interested in the deeper data.