Nearly half of US kids want in-game currency this Christmas

Almost three in five children in the US are planning to ask for game-related products this Christmas, with 43% asking for in-game currency.

That’s according to a new report conducted by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which found that video games are in the top three items for kids this holiday season.

Of the over 700 children surveyed (ages 5 to 17), 39% are after a video game console while 37% want physical games.

More than half of US kids want to play more games with their parents, particularly children aged between 5 to 7 (73%).

The ESA also surveyed over 1,100 adults (ages 18 to 65), including 539 who are parents of those aged between 5 to 17.

One third of US adults plan to purchase game-related items this Christmas.

Most will be buying a gift for someone else, with 35% gifting their children and 28% purchasing something for their spouse or significant other.

According to the ESA, the average adult intends to spend $500 on game-related gifts with one in four spending less than $100.

As for parents, the average amount they intend to spend on their children is $737, though approximately half will spend less than $300.

“Video games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world today, with more than 205 million Americans powering up games every week to have fun, relax and connect with friends and family,” said ESA president and CEO Stan Pierre-Louis.

“Our research this year shows that kids not only want games, they also want quality time with their families. In a world where people feel increasingly disconnected, playing video games remains one of the easiest – and most fun – ways to stay close to the people we love.”