RPG Market Grew 31% In 2020

During 2020, when the global pandemic hit, tabletop roleplaying game sales continued to rise, with the market in the US and Canada growing from $80M in 2019 to $105M in 2020, according to estimates by ICv2.

US/Canada Hobby Game Market ($ millions)

The below table is based on figures from ICv2. For timescale context, also compare chart changes with events listed in the chart [URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/tsr-wotc-paizo-a-comparative-history.662357/']TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History[/URL]. [ATTACH...

www.enworld.org

The site reports that the hobby game market as a whole reached $2 Billion, and that the RPG segment was led by a grown of 33% for Dungeons & Dragons, making it the highest percentage growth in the hobby game channel.

ICv2 derives its estimates by interviewing retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, along with publicly available data from Kickstarter and other places.

 

[darjr]

So are the WizKids license included in the miniature games or collectibles?

 

[Hand of Evil]

This is what happens during a plague, people stay home and play games while things are closed.

 

[darjr]

This is what happens during a plague, people stay home and play games while things are closed.

But D&D is traditionally played in groups, outside of most of the players homes.
The play by computer is a new and fast growing part. I dint think it’ll ever go away, and might eclipse in person gaming, but I still think there will be a boom when in person gaming picks up steam again.

 

[dave2008]

I never miniature games are so popular. What games are these. To my knowledge I have never seen nor heard of anyone playing a "miniatures game."

 

[Parmandur]

I never miniature games are so popular. What games are these. To my knowledge I have never seen nor heard of anyone playing a "miniatures game."

Warhammer, Heroclix, the Star Wars one from FFG was big last time I was actually in a game store.

 

[Guest 7025638]

Honestly, I don’t find it really much, especially compared to the other categories on the chart. And this time is supposed to be a good one for RPGs..

 

[Umbran]

But D&D is traditionally played in groups, outside of most of the players homes.
The play by computer is a new and fast growing part. I dint think it’ll ever go away, and might eclipse in person gaming, but I still think there will be a boom when in person gaming picks up steam again.

I don't think that's a given. I am part of four games that have been playing pretty regularly online for the past year. With things opening up, one of these games has shut down for the summer, at least, as one player's going away. The other three have cancelled the majority of their planned sessions for the past couple of months.

People won't just turn to their newfound hobby. They will also return to their old activities. Many will not have time for RPGs like they did during the height of the pandemic.

 

[Stephen Shomo]

Resurgence is interest due to the return of TSR and the ground breaking theme park rpg GiantLands.

 

[dave2008]

Warhammer, Heroclix, the Star Wars one from FFG was big last time I was actually in a game store.

I had no idea it was so popular.

 

[Parmandur]

I had no idea it was so popular.

It might be less popular than RPGs, but it's certainly bigger money for game stores.