Gaming
Video gamers in the US spend less time watching TV
MUMBAI: Video gamers in the US are increasingly spending less time consuming TV. A study by American integrated media company Ziff Davis Media shows that nearly a quarter of all video game players watched less television than last year. They expect to cut their viewing time even further this year.
The study titled Digital Gaming in America survey covered 1,500 randomly selected US households. The study also showed that 76.2 million people in the US play video games, up from 67.5 million a year ago, representing an increase of 11.4 per cent. The increase in gaming follows strong sales of portable gaming systems and reductions in the prices of current-generation video game consoles.
The study reveals a number of surprising shifts in gaming habits and consumer preferences in 2005. The study lends credence to observations that consumers are increasingly turning away from television and towards videogames for their entertainment. The Digital Gaming in America study found that 24 per cent of gamers reduced their TV watching over the last year, and a further 18 per cent expect to do so in the next twelve months.
Video gamers watched 16 hours per week in 2005 versus 18 hours per week in 2004, representing an 11.1 per cent decrease. Furthermore, among core gamers, High Definition Television (HDTV) viewership increased to 18 per cent in 2005 versus seven per cent last year.
In 2004, video gaming overtook PC gaming for the first year ever. The strong growth in video games continued in 2005. This year, 62.6 million households played video games and 56.6 million played PC games, versus 54.5 million and 52.3 million, respectively, last year. According to the study, this year core gamers will spend an estimated $5.6 billion on gaming products, also up from a year ago.
One of the leading trends impacting the videgame market is portable gaming, which continues to grow strongly. According to the study, 40 per cent of video gamers are likely to purchase a portable gaming device in the next twelve months.
Habits of a Portable Gamer: According to the study, 86 per cent of video gamers own a cell phone this year, which is up from 70 per cent a year ago. Of these individuals, 48 per cent play games on their mobile devices. The high proportion is due mainly to the advancement in technology of cellphones and their ability to play multi-functional video games with improved graphics.
Gaming
Konami concludes successful eFootball India campaign
Campaign featuring Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy and other stars boosts engagement ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026.
MUMBAI: When cricket meets football in the virtual world, even the biggest fans can’t help but score and Konami’s latest eFootball campaign in India has clearly hit the back of the net. Konami Digital Entertainment has successfully wrapped up its India campaign for eFootball, which brought together cricketers Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy, actors Naslen Gafoor and Chandu Salim Kumar, and footballers Sahal Abdul Samad and Shubhasish Bose. The multi-star campaign generated strong excitement across gaming, football, and creator communities through social content, fan participation, and in-game engagement.
Building on the initial launch that featured a limited-time Lionel Messi card, the campaign united fan communities, lifestyle creators, football creators, and competitive eFootball influencers. It significantly expanded the game’s visibility and deepened engagement with fans across the country.
The campaign also saw thousands of entries submitted as part of its social media engagement challenge, reflecting high levels of community enthusiasm and active creator involvement.
Looking ahead, Konami plans to build on this momentum with more eFootball experiences for Indian fans as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches. With global attention on the tournament set to rise, India will remain a key market for deepening community engagement and bringing fans closer to the action.
In a country that lives and breathes sport, Konami has shown that mixing real-world stars with virtual thrills is a winning formula leaving fans eagerly waiting for the next goal.
