Over 50 Percent of Players Surveyed in US, UK and Japan Prefer Single-Player Games to Multiplayer

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The debate over whether people prefer immersive, story-driven single-player games or quick, dynamic multiplayer games is ongoing. However, a recent survey suggests that more gamers in the US, UK, and Japan are leaning towards single-player experiences. The survey, conducted by Ampere Analysis and reported by VideoGamesChronicle, polled 34,428 players in 22 different countries, including the US, UK, Japan, China, Thailand, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

A recent survey showed that most gamers prefer playing alone. In the UK, 58% of players said they preferred single-player games. This preference was even stronger in the US (65%) and Japan (63%). Germany and Thailand also showed a leaning towards single-player experiences, with 60% and 62% of players respectively expressing that preference.

While many gamers enjoy playing alone, multiplayer games are particularly popular in places like China and Sweden. In fact, only 47% and 49% of gamers in those countries, respectively, prefer single-player experiences.

According to Louise Wooldrige, a senior research manager at Ampere, the data suggests a strong demand for single-player games still exists. While multiplayer games often succeed with continuous updates and revenue streams, single-player titles continue to attract a wide range of players.

According to Wooldridge, these findings prove that single-player games remain popular and in demand, even though many games now focus on ongoing multiplayer experiences. While multiplayer games are generally favored for keeping players engaged and generating revenue, a well-made single-player game can still attract a large audience. Despite most players preferring single-player content, word-of-mouth and friends still heavily influence which games people try.

When we look at popular games, it’s clear that while many of the biggest hits, such as Fortnite, focus solely on multiplayer, a lot of other successful games offer both multiplayer and single-player options. This includes annual releases from established franchises like Call of Duty and Battlefield, as well as sports games like Madden NFL and EA Sports FC. Games like Minecraft are also popular because they provide a great multiplayer experience without ignoring players who prefer to play alone.

You know, thinking about PlayStation, it’s pretty clear they’ve really built their name on amazing single-player games. Sure, there are tons of multiplayer options, but the games everyone remembers – the big releases since the PS3 – have mostly been those incredible story-driven experiences. Naughty Dog’s Uncharted and The Last of Us were huge, and then the PS4 really brought single-player back with titles like the new God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn. Those are the games that really define PlayStation for me.

Beyond Sony’s own game development teams, several other developers prioritize single-player experiences. The most prominent example is CD Projekt RED, the creators of The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077. According to co-CEO Michał Nowakowski, high-quality single-player games with compelling stories and established franchises will remain popular. Currently, the studio is actively developing sequels to both of its major titles: The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2.

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2025-11-17 17:18