Samsung Electronics reveals the results of its Gaming Relationship Report 2023, an online study that reveals the impact of gaming on social interaction and personal development, as well as the evolution of gaming device usage.
The analysis, conducted across five European countries, highlights the transformative power of gaming in fostering friendships, boosting trust and social skills.
The results of the survey, which involved more than 7,500 European gamers, show that:
- Online gaming serves as a virtual meeting place for Italian gamers: nearly half of them interact with other players (49%)
- Younger people socialise more: 73% of those surveyed aged 18 to 24 interact with other players online
- The Italian gamers (30%) are those who have the most friendships through video games
- 56% of Italian gamers aged 18 to 24 and 42% aged 25 to 34 have formed friendships online through gaming that extend beyond the screen and the gaming session.
- Gaming has become a major entertainment phenomenon across Europe: on average, 62% of European gamers aged 18 to 44 play at least once a week.
"In Europe, gaming is an activity in continuous expansion that fosters human connections, achievements and personal growth for millions of players. At Samsung, we place technology at the heart of their well-being and support all types of gamers, wherever they are, with innovative solutions and concrete initiatives, such as our new platform 'Embrace your Game'. We ensure gamers develop their skills by offering the best resources for gaming." has stated Emanuele De Longhi, Head of Marketing Communication & Media at Samsung Electronics Italy.
Gaming: a gateway to boundary-free socialisation
The report highlights the significant role gaming plays in fostering social connections among European gamers aged 18 to 44, a third of whom form new relationships (friends or partners) through this activity. However, the extent to which they interact online varies by country.
In France, only a third of gamers interact online, a figure suggesting a more restrained approach to gaming as a social platform. By contrast, Germany, the UK, Spain and Italy show higher levels of online player interaction, at respectively 41%, 42%, 46% and 49%. These figures indicate that gaming is increasingly seen as a valuable tool for connecting with other players and building relationships across Europe, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The gamers who form the most friendships through video games are Italians (30%) and Spaniards (26%). In the UK, more than a quarter of gamers have made online friends, likely aided by the fact that English remains the universal language of online games. Contrary to stereotypes, many gamers spend amounts of time equal to or even exceeding those spent playing games, using gaming to socialise instead — as do nearly a third of gamers in France (30%) and the UK (35%).
Online gaming serves as a meeting place for Italian gamers, where nearly half of them interact with other players (49%). The 18-44 age group benefits the most, as 58% of them interact with other players, and this figure rises to 73% among those aged 18-24. Particularly, experienced gamers (65%) actively cultivate interactions related to gaming.
Friendships begin in virtual environments, and nearly one-third of gamers form authentic bonds by meeting and playing online (30%). 56% of players aged 18 to 24 and 42% aged 25 to 34 have built friendships beyond the screen and the game session through online gaming.
In light of what has emerged, there is still room for growth in the online gaming community in Europe. Samsung is developing a new platform to bring gamers together so they can focus on their favourite games and build new communities, enabling both experienced players and newcomers to improve their skills and become more skilled players.
Gaming: a social platform for developing skills and fostering community spirit
Increasingly, gaming has a significant impact on personal pride and satisfaction, to the point where in European countries, one in five gamers feels prouder of their gaming achievements than their academic or professional results.
For Italian gamers gaming is first and foremost a social platform that significantly contributes to the development of community spirit: in fact 29% of gamers feel connected to others, a figure that rises to 79% among those who form new relationships and interact weekly.
Although gaming is primarily a recreational activity, one-third of players would gladly receive specific training or advice on how to improve their performance. Considering the democratization of gaming, around three million Italians would like to enhance their gaming skills. Younger players (53% in the 18-24 age group) and experienced gamers (45%) are most interested in this opportunity. The report also highlights that gaming helps develop self-esteem and social skills, benefits enjoyed by one-third of Italian gamers and half (51%) of those aged 18 to 24.
This means that Italian gamers do not see video games simply as a solitary activity, but use them as a means to socialise and develop their skills, without necessarily playing alone.
In Europe, gaming passion has exploded
Gaming has become a major form of entertainment across Europe, with Spain leading the rankings at 89% of the population engaging in this recreational activity, followed by France at 78%. At least six in ten European citizens are regular gamers, and Spain, the UK and Italy dominate the gaming landscape, boasting a significant proportion (56%) of players who engage at least once a week. .
Gaming is attracting an ever-growing number of Italian participants, with an extremely high percentage of the population — 83% — engaging with new game content and 71% continuing to play actively. Gaming is becoming more widespread across society, but certain groups show deeper involvement. A staggering 93% of people aged 18 to 44 have experienced gaming at least once in their lives, and 83% of them continue to play regularly.
