The industry keeps pushing multiplayer and live-service releases, but players aren’t ready to leave single-player games behind. A new player-preference study shows that most gamers in major markets like the US, UK, and Japan still choose solo experiences over multiplayer modes.
The study surveyed 34,428 players across 22 markets, and the results were clear:
- 65% of players in the US prefer single-player games
- 63% in Japan
- 58% in the UK
Other regions showed similar trends as well, including Thailand (62%) and Germany (60%), proving this isn’t just a Western preference; story-driven experiences remain globally popular.
Many participants pointed to the same reasons: Single-player games let you play at your own pace, immerse yourself in a story without distractions, and avoid the pressure of online competitiveness. Yes, multiplayer gaming offers exciting social moments but not everyone wants to deal with teammates, voice chat, or ranked stress after a long day.
One interesting trend from the survey involves age. Younger audiences lean more toward social and competitive titles, while older players increasingly prefer to go it alone. That means the love for single-player isn’t nostalgia, it’s a sustained and growing preference across a massive slice of the community.
This should be a clear signal for publishers: Even as multiplayer keeps expanding, strong single-player games still carry huge demand. Ignoring that audience risks leaving a lot of players, and revenue, on the table.
Despite a market filled with co-op shooters, battle passes, and endless seasonal grinds, millions of players still just want a great story and a world they can lose themselves in. And that isn’t changing anytime soon.
Stay tuned to VGNW and X, we will keep tracking how player tastes evolve and which studios are listening.
