Results of the Gamer Census 2025-2026 Announced: Major Trends and Brand Rankings Revealed

Gamer Census 2025-2026: Trends and Insights into the Gaming Community

Japan's largest core gamer survey, the Gamer Census 2025-2026, conducted by JILCH Co., Ltd., has unveiled prominent trends and brand rankings that reflect the current landscape of gaming in Japan. With an impressive response rate of 98.89% from 11,850 participants, the survey gathered extensive data, including 58,492 comments on preferences, impressions, and habits from gamers across the nation.

Key Findings from the Survey

1. Surge in Gaming PC Ownership and DIY Popularity
The ownership of gaming PCs has soared to 68.5%, marking a significant 14.4-point increase from the previous year. This trend underscores the rapid expansion of the PC gaming market. Among brands, DIY PCs reclaimed their top spot as they allow users to invest in components tailored to their needs. While GALLERIA continues to dominate in terms of user numbers, Sycom achieved dual accolades for satisfaction and recommendation ratings and took home the Breakthrough Award for the second consecutive year.

2. Shift Towards Unbundled Audio Solutions
Interestingly, the use of gaming headsets is plateauing, with the adoption of earbuds increasing to 33.0% (+3.7 pts) and stand-alone microphone usage reaching 29.9% (+7.7 pts). Gamers expressed dissatisfaction with the weight and heat retention of traditional headsets, leading to a growing preference for unbundled audio solutions that enable individual customization of earphones and microphones.

3. Sony's INZONE Buds Win Gaming Device of the Year Award
In a standout performance, Sony's INZONE Buds were crowned Gaming Device of the Year (GDOY). These wireless earbuds not only secured the top share but also topped satisfaction, recommendation, and popularity categories. The rapid ascent of INZONE since its inception in 2022 highlights its firm position in the gaming device market.

4. Evolving Game Preferences and Emerging Titles
In the PC gaming realm, Valorant maintained its leading position, while Monster Hunter Wiles climbed to third place. The upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2 has shifted the console market significantly, with 44.1% of respondents reporting play on four Nintendo titles. Mobile gaming also saw a resurgence with FGO and Uma Musume rising in ranks.

5. The Rise of New Gaming Device Brands
New brands are making notable strides in the gaming device landscape. In the mouse category, WLMOUSE recorded the highest satisfaction ratings, while Lamzu received the Breakthrough Award. The keyboard sector has witnessed explosive growth for Wooting, and affordable brands like Pixio and GigaCrysta are gaining traction in the monitor space. HyperX continues to lead the microphone market with a 31.1% share.

Awards & Rankings Overview

The survey highlighted the following top performers in various gaming categories:

- Gaming Device of the Year: SONY INZONE Buds
- Gaming PC Brand Share No.1: GALLERIA
- Gaming PC Satisfaction No.1: Sycom
- Gaming Mouse Share No.1: Logicool G
- Gaming Monitor Share No.1: BenQ
- Gaming Microphone Share No.1: HyperX

And many more awards across categories for gaming chairs, controllers, and accessories.

Insights on Gaming Software Rankings

- Top PC Game: Valorant
- Top Console Game: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Top Mobile Game: Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

The trend in rankings indicates a stable gamer preference where familiar titles continue to dominate despite a flurry of new releases.

Conclusion

The Gamer Census not only acts as a powerful tool for understanding gamer preferences but also drives effective strategies among brands in product development and marketing within the gaming industry. Annual surveys, such as this one, ensure that the voice of the gamer is heard loud and clear, shaping the future of gaming in Japan.

For more details about the Gamer Census 2025-2026, including access to the report and data analysis, visit Gamer Census Official Site. For media inquiries or data requests, contact them directly via their website or email at [email protected].