New Xbox survey finds video games are shaking up holiday traditions
The end-of-the-year holiday season is a time filled with togetherness, cheer, and gift-giving. And this year, you can add video games to that list! A new survey from YouGov commissioned by Xbox reveals how video games are shaking up familiar holiday traditions for families throughout the country.
According to the survey, a huge 78% of Brits typically play video games over the holidays, and according to Xbox Game Pass family-friendly games like Minecraft and Forza Horizon 5 accounted for more than 50% of games played during the holidays in 2021, an increase over the last 2 years [Internal Xbox Live data from November 2021 – January 2022].
60% of Brits believe that video games are a great way to interact virtually with family and friends who might not be with us during the holidays, showing the power of games to nurture connections with loved ones. What’s more, nearly three quarters of Brits (72%) believe that it’s the variety of video games available that means everyone can play – from kids to grandparents.
In fact, 37% of survey respondents cited video games as the activity with the potential to bring people together more than any other, and 39% adding that video games cause fewer arguments than board games. Could video games therefore offer the secret to creating your most connected and harmonious festive period yet and save us from festive fall outs?
Another reason for the huge popularity of video gaming around the holidays is their ability to help people relax, with 60% saying playing video games with family and loved ones is a great way to reset and relax over the Holiday period.
As well as providing a much-loved holiday pastime, it’s clear Brits also see games as ideal inspiration for gifting. With just over half (52%) of Brits who anticipate buying gifts this holiday season stating that affordability is their top priority this season, Xbox is as committed as ever to providing players with great value gift options including Xbox Digital Gift Cards at a range of configurations up to £50, as well as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, costing just £1 for the first month, and £10.99 per month thereafter.
We are also proud to offer our exclusive Xbox Series S – Gilded Hunter bundle which combines the next-gen speed and performance of the Xbox Series S console with all-ages hits Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys. An added value of nine in-game cosmetics and bonus virtual currency is also included in the bundle. Announced this week, for just £249.99, this combination offers a new way to level up your annual celebrations.
You can check out the full results of the global survey on the Xbox Wire.
About the survey
Microsoft commissioned YouGov to conduct a nationally representative survey of the age 13+ online population in each of 6 markets: United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Germany, and Mexico. The survey focused on understanding consumer behaviours and perceptions around video gaming as it relates to other activities and traditions around the holidays. 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.