Generation Z has become a more prominent voice in our world as they are now reaching adulthood. I come from the millennial generation myself, and that has blessed me with being able to experience many classic video games, from the late 80s, early 90s and all through the 2000s. Generation Z starts from around 1995, meaning they would have grown up with all PlayStation and Xbox iterations, along with many of the notable Nintendo systems. So the question we all wonder is, which are the most popular Generation Z video games? Thanks to the new social media platform Yubo, we now have that answer.
Below are the 10 most popular games among the Gen Z demographic. This list is entirely based on metrics from 2020 and has been provided by Yubo, a fast-growing platform that prides itself on being about more than Likes and Views.
Popular Generation Z Video Games in 2020
Before we get to the top five most popular, here’s numbers 10-6 on the list.
10. Grand Theft Auto IV
9. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
8. FIFA 20
7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
6. Fortnite Battle Royale
Those are all popular games in their own right, and aside from Grand Theft Auto 4 and The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim, any of those could have rightfully been number one on the list. Fortnite especially feels like it would be the obvious number one, but could it be that the popularity has dipped for Gen Z in 2020?
Well, let’s see what Gen Z’s top five video games are.
5. Rocket League
Psyonix’s vehicle-based soccer game proves it has staying power as it remains popular after five strong years. This game is appealing to both casuals and hardcore gamers who like fitting in a few matches before moving onto other games; so it’s no surprise that Gen Z has embraced such a fun and addictive game. Rocket League is surely an experience that will remain popular even when next-gen consoles come into rotation.
4. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
You might be surprised at just how popular this game is. Launching in December 2015, Rainbow Six Siege has maintained a strong interest in its multiplayer. It’s a tactical first-person shooter that makes communication key for victory, and Gen Z is a generation that has embraced many forms of online communication. This is a game that allows gamers to bond over a common goal, and the amount of engagement between players that is needed to win a game is likely why it’s so highly regarded.
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
It’s not hard to understand why this game is still so popular two years later. Many had this as game of the year for 2018 and even if you didn’t you can’t deny that Red Dead Redemption 2 was one of the best games of the PS4 and Xbox One generation. Not only are there endless things to do, but there’s a gripping story to follow, with a compelling main character. The game also has an online mode that has a mixed reception, but many do love it.
2. Minecraft
There’s no surprise here. Most of the younger gamers I speak to either actively play Minecraft or have done extensively in the past. At one of the jobs I worked at a few years back, a coder younger than me would play it during his lunch break and even invited me to his server. Minecraft has without a doubt won the love of an entire generation of gamers. Frankly, there’s only one other title that could beat it on a Gen Z list.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar’s games always age like fine wine. Meaning that no matter how fast you beat one of their games, you’ll no doubt be returning to them again and again over time. Just the other day I contemplated replaying Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto Vice City again. But when it comes to Grand Theft Auto, GTA V is hands down the most complete game of them all.
It has three protagonists, each with their own compelling stories to follow, and tons of activities littered around the large Los Santos map to engage in. But its GTA Online alone that has won the hearts of Gen Z. It’s an ongoing social experience that’s likely to go on far into the PS5 and Xbox Series X life-cycle. Which is incredible when you consider that the game launched on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
If you fall within the Generation Z bracket, I’d love to hear more about the games you enjoy. Feel free to drop comments below!
