Consumer research shows exclusives matter to console gamers

A recent Circana survey has revealed that 41 percent of the gamers surveyed choose a console because of the exclusive games available on it. The study, focused on the future of video games, analyzed the views of 2,500 active U.S. gamers aged 13 and older. The results offer insight into why consumers choose consoles.

Reasons for choosing consoles

According to the survey results, there are several reasons why gamers pick a console:

• 41 percent choose a console because of exclusive games.

• 38 percent stick with a console because friends or family also play on the same platform.

• 37 percent find it easier to play together with friends and family on a console.

• 36 percent prefer to play video games in a casual setting, such as the living room.

• 24 percent of respondents like that there are more options for buying physical games on consoles.

Changes in consumer preferences

It is interesting to note that while exclusives remain the top reason for choosing consoles in 2026, that figure is down 8 percent compared with the previous year. Likewise, the preference for playing in a social setting has fallen by 4 percent. This suggests a possible shift in how gamers value exclusive games and social gaming.

Despite the decline in the popularity of exclusives, non-exclusive titles such as NBA 2K26, Fortnite, Roblox, and Call of Duty continue to attract the most weekly active users. That suggests consoles' appeal goes beyond their exclusive titles alone.

Impact of exclusive games on console sales

Exclusive games also play a crucial role in hardware sales. The launch of God of War: Ragnarok in November 2022 led to a significant increase in PS5 sales. In Japan, sales rose by 116 percent compared with the previous week. In the UK, 38 percent of all PS5 consoles sold that month were part of a hardware bundle with God of War: Ragnarok.

The impact of these exclusive titles underlines their important role in encouraging consumers to invest in specific hardware. This trend highlights that, despite any drop in appeal, exclusive games remain a driving force behind hardware sales.

Future implications for the video game industry

These findings raise important questions about the future of the video game industry. While exclusives remain essential for a significant number of console gamers, there appears to be a shift in how those exclusives are valued. If interest in exclusives is declining and the dominance of legacy games like Fortnite and Call of Duty is growing, what does that mean for new developments in the industry?

The market will likely continue to evolve, making it important for developers to keep a close eye on changing gamer preferences. The trends point to an evolving landscape where both exclusive and non-exclusive titles are highly important to the future of consoles.