A new survey by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has found that video games play a significant role in helping U.S. military veterans manage stress, maintain mental well-being, and stay socially connected during and after their service.
Among the 1,096 veteran video game players surveyed, 85 percent said they played video games while on active duty to escape the stress of military life. The majority also reported that gaming had a positive effect on their mental and emotional health. The study included a control group of 508 non-veterans for comparison.
Eighty-six percent of veterans said video games provided a healthy outlet for managing stress and anxiety. Another 81 percent said games helped them cope with difficult times, while 77 percent believed gaming had a positive impact on their life after leaving the military.
According to ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis, the findings confirm what earlier research has suggested about the broader mental health benefits of video games. In an interview with VentureBeat, Pierre-Louis said the survey was designed to better understand how video game use affects the veteran population specifically. He noted that the results showed clear mental and emotional benefits.
The social aspect of gaming was another key point. Seventy-nine percent of veterans said they play video games with other people at least once a week, and 58 percent of those said they play online with former military friends.
Many veterans also used gaming to stay connected with people back home while deployed. Fifty-six percent said they played games online with friends during their service, while 44 percent said they connected with family through gaming.
The study also highlighted how gaming supports teamwork and group morale. Seventy-eight percent of veterans said playing with fellow service members helped strengthen camaraderie, while 73 percent said it fostered teamwork and cooperation.
Veterans said that gaming during active duty helped them unwind after their military responsibilities and offered a temporary escape from the demands of service life.
The survey also described a typical veteran gamer: a 37-year-old man, college-educated, employed full-time, married, and with children. Most served an average of six years in the military, and many had combat experience. The gender breakdown of respondents was 64 percent male and 36 percent female.
Popular genres among veteran gamers included shooters, role-playing games, MMOs, and sports games. Titles such as Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, EA Sports FC, and Fortnite were frequently cited.
Stephen Machuga, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of the nonprofit Stack Up, which supports veteran mental health through gaming, told VentureBeat that video games have become a consistent tool for emotional support and connection. “Every day, I see first-hand the positive impacts video games have on veterans and service members,” Machuga said. “They’re a powerful tool for stress relief and staying connected.”
ESA timed the release of its findings with Military Appreciation Month. The organization, along with nonprofits like Stack Up and Warfighter Engaged, hopes to draw attention to the broader role video games can play in supporting the well-being of veterans and service members.
