Exploring the Aussie Gaming Scene in 2023

Now that we’re in the all-important fourth quarter of 2023, which is traditionally one of the most crucial times of year for the gaming industry, we can look back at how the gaming scene has continued to evolve in Australia.

There have certainly been plenty of interesting moves recently, particularly given that Australia itself is widely considered to be a global hub for games production. Numerous big studios have relocated here, while cities like Sydney and Melbourne are home to a blooming industry, featuring countless enterprising indie developers.

Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about the gaming scene Down Under, delving into some remarkable numbers involving the most important ingredient of all – the gamers themselves.

How many Australians regularly play games?

“Those who don’t game at all are by far in the minority,” reported the Sydney Morning Herald in September, covering the latest studies into the Australian gaming scene. You can read the full article at their website, but we can also provide a summary of some of the most interesting points of discussion right here.

Like most places around the world, adults now form the largest percentage of regular gamers. In fact, the average age of gamers in Australia is 35 years old, they have played games for eleven years or more, and the gender split is almost equally male and female. Most fascinating of all, some 81% of Aussie adults consider themselves to be frequent gamers.

This clearly indicates that in Australia, gaming is no longer considered a niche activity, compared to when the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) first began their national surveys. Each year, they release statistics based around extensive surveys, and have done so since 2005, marking the constant growth in the uptake of gaming in Australia.

Why have online pokies become so popular?

The iGaming scene is thriving in Australia, which is a country where people are famed for their love of wagering. This can range from betting on the latest sporting events to enjoying the gambling options at online casinos. By far the most popular gaming niche is online pokies, which are mostly known as video slots elsewhere around the world.

“What’s great is that as technology develops, so do pokies. There are now more to choose from, with top graphics and features,” explains the Australia Internet Pokies review team. And 2023 has certainly been a bumper year for new releases, with spinning reels based around every genre and niche that gamers could wish for.

Beyond the popularity of the games themselves, reviewers at australiainternetpokies.com also produced an extensive guide covering what to look out for, so check it out here for more information. This includes where Australians can find the best online pokies, which casino sites are safe and trustworthy, plus insights covering free spins and other great promotions.

Who is the Richest Australian Gamer?

Beyond providing engaging and easily accessible entertainment for most Australians, gaming is a serious business for some players. This has become increasingly apparent over the last decade, with more Aussies participating in high-profile eSports tournaments than ever before. There’s also serious money to be made at these tournaments.

The latest rankings we can view at esportsearnings.com highlights the top games and players, indicating which tournaments offered the biggest prizes, and who charts among the highest earners. Known simply by the “ana” player ID, Anathan Pham is the most prominent Australian professional Dota 2 player. Since 2016 he has earned more than $6 million in prize money.

According to the latest October 2023 updates, just over $28.2 million has been awarded to 3,477 Aussie eSports players, while the country itself ranks 15th in the overall earnings charts. Top games for tournament earnings include Dota 2 and Fortnite, closely followed by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, with multiple millions won in prize money by Australians.