The most popular games among children and young people
1. minecraft
Minecraft, a kind of digital Lego, is the most popular game among 6 to 13-year-olds according to the Mike Study 2021. In the open-world or sandbox game , players can «let off steam» like in a sandbox, i.e. create their own world, build buildings and defend themselves against opponents. Minecraft is a paid game, but there is a free demo version. The game offers a chat function and is approved by the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) for ages 6 and up.
2. roblox
6 to 13-year-olds also enjoy playing on Roblox. Roblox is an online platform for self-made games and lets you travel to numerous game worlds using an avatar. It is a «massively multiplayer online game», almost like a social network, where you can play with friends and strangers and exchange ideas via voice chat.
As there are countless different game options and new content is constantly being uploaded, it is difficult for parents to keep track. There are also games, such as shooters, that are unsuitable for younger children. Roblox is free, but contains in-game purchases. Roblox is approved for ages 12 and up (USK).
Fortnite is free, but allows in-game purchases of skins or equipment, for example.
3. Mario, Fifa & Brawl Stars
Minecraft and Roblox are closely followed on the popularity scale of 6 to 13-year-olds by the car racing game Mario Kart (USK 0) and the football simulation series FIFA (officially renamed EA Sports FC, also USK 0). The shooter Fortnite (USK 12) also fascinates, followed by the jump & run game Super Mario (USK 0) and the mobile game Brawl Stars (USK 12).
4. call of duty
According to the 2020 James Study, the first-person shooter Call of Duty is the most popular game among 12 to 19-year-olds. Call of Duty is a series of games in which players take on the role of a soldier in a realistically depicted war scenario. The various titles contain explicit violence. They are therefore released for ages 18 and up (USK). Depending on the version, Call of Duty is available as a free mobile game or as a paid game for computers and consoles. It can be played in single or multiplayer mode, communicating via voice chat.
5. fortnite
Another popular game is Fortnite, also a classic shooter game, but with less realistic visuals than Call of Duty. When people talk about Fortnite, they usually mean the battle royale mode: 100 players land on an island and compete against each other - with the aim of surviving to the end. Fortnite can also be played alone or in a team with both friends and strangers. The game is free to play, but allows in-game purchases of skins or equipment, for example. It is released for ages 12 and up (USK).
6 Grand Theft Auto
Minecraft is also popular with 12 to 19-year-olds, as is the football simulation game FIFA. Grand Theft Auto (GTA), which contains action, racing and shooter elements and is approved for ages 18 and up (USK), was also frequently mentioned.
