56% agree that passing video game enjoyment on from older to younger generations is a big tradition.
The holiday season is a time of togetherness, joy and giving, and this year you can add play list! A new global poll conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Xbox suggests that families are using video games to better connect during the holidays — across the world and across generations. Of those respondents who said they would like to play video games during their vacation, 38% ranked video games as one of their top five family activities.
No longer just a pastime for teenagers, family-friendly games like Minecraft and ForzaHorizon 5 accounted for more than 50% of games played over the holidays in 2021, an increase over the past two years [Internal Xbox Live data from November 2020 – January 2022].
Research also suggests that gaming helps create more cross-generational connections during the holiday season, for example:
- Of survey respondents who say they play video games with family members over the holidays, 40% plan to play with their children, 21% plan to play with their parents, 5% plan to play with their grandparents, and 10% plan to to do this game with her in-laws
- 56% of the survey participants agreed that passing on the enjoyment of video games from older to younger generations is a great tradition
Poll results not only bring people together on vacation, but also suggest that the fantastic virtual worlds of gaming provide a much-needed escape from the pressures of the real world to help people unwind. Of those survey respondents who play video games, 54% turn to video games to De-stressing compared to other activities such as scrolling social media (46%), reading a book (45%), exercising (42%) and self-care activities (33%).
This embrace of family play during the holiday season also represents a new era in gift giving. Of those survey respondents who said they celebrate the holidays and give gifts, 30% said they prefer giving gifts that the whole family can enjoy. Actor, comedian and prolific gamer Jimmy O. Yang partners with Xbox this holiday season to reinforce great holiday games and deals for the whole family to enjoy, including our Xbox Series S Gilded Hunter bundle [This Holiday Season Just Got Better: Announcing the Xbox Series S – Gilded Hunter Bundle Coming November 29 – Xbox Wire]. .
“My family grew up playing video games, so I was excited to partner with Xbox this holiday season,” Yang said. “I love to keep in touch with my friends and family around the world by playing video games, especially while on tour and during busy vacations. Also, it keeps me humbled to know that my nephew can probably crush me at Fortnite!
Gaming is a gift that can be shared between generations. With 71% of survey respondents agreeing that the variety of video games available means everyone in the family – from kids to grandparents – can play, Xbox is excited to celebrate milestone games this holiday season such as: B. Microsoft Flight Simulator (40-year franchise), Age of Empires (25-year franchise), Forza Horizon (10-year franchise), and more anniversaries. Offering these and many more games on Xbox Game Pass is a meaningful way to spread nostalgia and shared memories at family gatherings this holiday season.
As families and young people continue to reinvent how the holidays look to them, Xbox is proud to be a part of it. For more information on the best products and services to celebrate the holidays this year, visit The guide to Christmas gifts in the Microsoft Store and top savings offers for Black Friday and Cyber Week. Buyers can also browse current PC game deals here or visit our Black Friday hub. For a more seamless experience, gift givers can also add a free online appointment
About the poll
Microsoft commissioned YouGov to conduct a nationally representative survey of the online population aged 13 and older in each of six markets: United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Germany and Mexico. The survey focused on understanding consumer behavior and perceptions of video games in relation to other activities and traditions surrounding the holidays. The final sample sizes were: n=1,404 in the United States, n=1,336 in the United Kingdom, n=1,254 in Australia, n=1,256 in Brazil, n=1,254 in Germany, and n=1,267 in Mexico.
