At BACKSLASH, we launched a survey aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 25 to find out how they experience the world of video games and how it relates to their emotional well-being. This survey, part of the European project Gamer-Con, has given us an insight into their interests, habits and needs at a time in their lives that is full of change and uncertainty.
The results show that video games are a regular part of their daily lives: 65% play at least three times a week, and 33% play almost every day. Beyond leisure, video games are a space for many young people to disconnect, be creative and connect with others. Forty-four per cent alternate between individual and group play, demonstrating a rich and diverse experience.
Among the most popular genres are narrative adventures, life simulators such as The Sims, and construction games such as Minecraft. In multiplayer games, cooperative games, shooters, and party games such as Among Us and Fall Guys stand out. This diversity inspires us to design activities that combine strategy, collaboration, and emotional expression.
A key finding: 90% of those surveyed expressed interest in participating in activities that combine video games and well-being. The most popular include gaming meetups, creative workshops and spaces for emotional conversation.
This interest reinforces the project’s embedded well-being approach and confirms that video games can be an effective tool for discussing mental health, building community and strengthening a sense of belonging.
We will soon be launching the first Gamer-Con events: gatherings where gaming will be just the beginning of a more human, inclusive and transformative experience.
Write to us, follow us on social media or simply share this project with anyone you think might benefit from it.
Gamer-Con is a project co-funded by Erasmus+ to create spaces of support among young people through gaming. Thank you for being part of the journey.