Hello!
I've analyzed the results from sim racing questionnaires conducted in 2022 (618 responses), 2023 (715 responses), and 2025 (615 responses). Here's a breakdown of the key trends and shifts.
(Note: Percentages are rounded. Some questions allowed multiple selections or had slightly different phrasing year-to-year. 'N/A' indicates data was Not Available or the category wasn't specifically asked/tracked in that year's questionnaire. Full raw data linked at the bottom!)
1. Demographics: We're Getting Older
The community is
maturing. While still overwhelmingly male (~97%), the average age is clearly increasing.
- Gender: Consistently ~97-98% Male, ~1.3% Female.
- Age Trend: Significant growth in 35+ brackets, notable decline in 18-24.
| Age Bracket | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend | Commentary |
|---|
| < 13 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | Decrease | Minimal youth presence |
| 14 - 17 | 11.3 | 6.3 | 2.4 | Decrease | Fewer teens entering? |
| 18 - 24 | 26.6 | 22.0 | 10.7 | Decrease | Significant drop-off |
| 25 - 34 | 36.3 | 35.8 | 30.1 | Decrease | Still large, but shrinking |
| 35 - 44 | 16.9 | 24.2 | 28.3 | Increase | Major growth area |
| 45 - 54 | 5.2 | 9.0 | 15.0 | Increase | Strong growth |
| 55 > | 3.1 | 2.5 | 12.5 | Increase | Substantial jump in '25 |
2. Habits & Engagement: How/Where We Race
Engagement seems stable, but
how people race (platform, mode) shows shifts.
Primary Platform (*)
| Platform | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend Notes |
|---|
| PC | 91.1 | 77.3 | 85.7 | Remains Dominant |
| PlayStation 5 | 6.5 | 8.9 | 6.3 | Stable New Gen Console Share |
| Xbox Series X/S | 5.9 (**) | 6.2 (**) | 3.7 | Stable New Gen Console Share |
| PlayStation 4 | 8.3 | 4.0 | 0.7 | Phasing Out |
| Xbox One | 3.7 | 2.1 | 0.2 | Phasing Out |
| Multiple (PC+Console) | N/A | N/A | 3.4 | Small multi-platform group ('25 category) |
*Note: 2022 allowed multiple selections (usage), 2023/2025 asked for primary platform. **Note: 2022/2023 values combined Series X & S where applicable.
Average Session Length -
Remarkably Consistent!
| Length | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend |
|---|
| < 1 hour | 11.2 | 8.5 | 10.4 | Stable |
| 1 - 2 hours | 56.7 | 64.8 | 62.1 | Peak/Stable |
| 2 - 4 hours | 31.0 | 25.6 | 25.9 | Stable |
| 5 hours > | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.6 | Stable (Low) |
Preferred Game Mode (*) -
Shift back towards Single Player?
| Mode | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend / Notes |
|---|
| Multiplayer (Overall '22/'23) | 63.0 | 74.7 | N/A | Peak in '23 (Broader Category) |
| Single Player (Overall '22/'23) | 32.9 | 25.3 | N/A | Dip in '23 (Broader Category) |
| Single Player (Specific '25) | N/A | N/A | 40.5 | Leading in '25 (More detailed options asked) |
| Multiplayer (Ranked/Service) | N/A | N/A | 24.4 | Significant segment ('25 specific category) |
| Multiplayer (Casual Lobbies) | N/A | N/A | 21.1 | Significant segment ('25 specific category) |
| Multiplayer (League Racing) | N/A | N/A | 10.9 | Dedicated niche ('25 specific category) |
| Drifting/Traffic/Free Roam | N/A | N/A | 2.6 | Small niche ('25 specific category) |
*Note: More data points available in 2025
2025 Snapshot: Weekly Time & Experience (Categories not present in 2022/2023)
| Weekly Time | 2025 (%) | Experience Level | 2025 (%) |
|---|
| < 5 hours | 35.9 | Beginner | 7.5 |
| 5-10 hours | 46.5 | Intermediate | 64.7 |
| 10-20 hours | 14.3 | Advanced | 27.2 |
| > 20 hours | 3.3 | Pro / eSports | 0.7 |
Commentary: Most racers are intermediate, spending 5-10 hours/week. This suggests a dedicated but perhaps time-constrained player base.
3. Game & Discipline Preferences: What We Race
GT Racing reigns supreme, but the popularity of specific titles continues to evolve.
- Favourite Disciplines (2025):
- GT Racing (GT3/4/E): 74.5%
- Formula/Open-Wheel: 41.1%
- Endurance: 27.8%
- Rally/Off-road: 27.2%
- Touring Cars: 23.6%
Sim Title Popularity (Regularly Played - %):
| Title | 2022 | 2023 | 2025 | Trend Notes |
|---|
| Assetto Corsa (Original) | 80.0 | 81.8 | 42.3 | Still High (Mods!), AC Evo emerging (24.6% in '25) |
| Assetto Corsa Comp. (ACC) | 83.1 | 41.0 | 45.5 | Peaked? Still very popular GT3 sim. |
| iRacing | 28.9 | 33.6 | 31.1 | Steady/Growth - The Subscription King |
| Automobilista 2 (AMS2) | 33.6 | 7.4 | 30.2 | Strong Growth ('23 anomaly?) - Variety focus pays off? |
| Rally (DR2/WRC/RBR combined) | ~54 | ~27 | 28.6 | Consistent Interest - EA WRC effect visible? |
| Le Mans Ultimate (LMU) | N/A | N/A | 28.0 | Strong Debut - Filling the WEC void. |
| F1 Series | N/A | 49.5 | 19.2 | Popular, but maybe less core sim focus? |
| BeamNG.drive | Low | Low | 16.9 | Rising Star - Physics sandbox appeal. |
| rFactor 2 | 34.3 | 38.5 | 8.1 | Decrease - LMU impact? Platform fatigue? |
| Project Cars 2 | 54.4 | 21.8 | 0.8 | Faded - Community moved on. |
4. Spending: Investing More Seriously
The trend is undeniable: Sim racers are spending
significantly more on their hobby than just a few years ago.
| Spending Bracket | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend Notes |
|---|
| < $500 | 22.4 | 14.3 | 10.9 | Decrease - Entry level shrinking? |
| $501 - $1,000 | 23.1 | 19.0 | 13.2 | Decrease |
| $1,001 - $2,000 | 23.9 | 22.0 | 18.7 | Decrease |
| $2,001 - $5,000 | 20.2 | 30.2 | 32.8 | MAJOR GROWTH - The new 'mid-range'? |
| $5,001 - $10,000 | 5.5 | 9.9 | 16.3 | STRONG INCREASE - Serious Hobbyist Zone |
| $10,001 - $30,000 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 5.5 | Increase - High-end growing |
| > $30,000 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | Slight Inc. - The dedicated few |
| Don't Know / Not Clear | ~0.3 | 1.4 | 2.1 | Small % unsure/unclear response |
Commentary: The $2k-$10k range now represents nearly HALF the respondents in 2025, up from ~26% in 2022. This reflects the hardware shifts below.
5. Hardware Trends: The Great Gear Shift!
This is where some of the biggest changes are happening.
Wheelbases: The Direct Drive Takeover is REAL!
- Losers: Logitech & Thrustmaster see significant share erosion.
- Winner: Fanatec holds steady as a leader.
- BIGGEST Winners: Moza & Simagic explode onto the scene, democratizing Direct Drive.
| Wheelbase Brand (Primary) | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend Notes |
|---|
| Fanatec | 28.9 | 25.3 | 28.8 | Leader, Holding Strong |
| Logitech (G Series/Pro) | 38.4 | 25.1 (*) | 20.7 | Significant Decrease - Losing entry/mid market? |
| Moza Racing | Low/NA | 5.1 | 16.6 | EXPLOSIVE GROWTH (DD) - Price/Performance Hit |
| Thrustmaster | 26.6 | 16.3 | 14.6 | Decrease - Caught between entry & DD? |
| Simagic | 2.3 | 4.4 | 10.7 | STRONG GROWTH (DD) - Mid/High-end appeal |
| Simucube | 3.3 | 3.5 | 5.9 | High-End Growth (DD) - The Premium Choice |
| VRS | 0.7 | 1.7 | 2.4 | Niche Growth (DD) |
| Asetek SimSports | Low/NA | Low/NA | 0.7 | Emerging (DD) (Newer market entrant) |
| Controller User / None | ~26 (**) | ~12 (**) | 5.1 | Significant Decrease (Fewer using controllers) |
*Note: 2023 Logitech combines G series (23.8%) and Pro (1.3%). **Note: 2022/2023 Controller includes Xbox, PS, KB+M where applicable (less specific category).
Pedals: Following the Wheel Trend
- Entry-level pedals (Logitech/Thrustmaster non-LC) declining.
- Fanatec holds strong in mid-range.
- High-end Load Cell / Hydraulic options growing significantly.
| Pedal Brand/Type (Primary) | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend Notes |
|---|
| Fanatec (CSL/V3 Combined) | 27.2 | 29.0 | 26.8 | Leader, Stable Mid-Range |
| Logitech (G Series/Pro) | 37.2 | 24.4 (*) | 18.9 | Decrease - Bundled pedal decline? |
| Thrustmaster (T3PA/TLCM) | 27.4 | 21.2 | 16.9 | Decrease - T-LCM holding better? |
| Heusinkveld (Sprint/Ult) | 6.9 | 10.7 | 11.9 | High-End Growth - Popular Premium Choice |
| Moza (SR-P/CRP) | Low/NA | 3.2 | 7.5 | Growth (Matching Wheelbase Rise) |
| Simagic (P1000/P2000) | N/A | N/A | 6.0 | Growth (Matching Wheelbase Rise) |
| Asetek (Forte/Invicta) | Low/NA | ~1.3 | 2.1 | Niche Growth (High-End Ecosystem) |
| VRS Pedals | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | Niche Growth (High-End) |
| Controller User / None | N/A | N/A | 4.9 | Correlates w/ Wheelbase (No pedals) |
*Note: 2023 Logitech combines G series (23.5%) and Pro (0.9%).
Displays: Towards Immersion
- Standard single monitors are out, VR, Ultrawides, and Triples are IN.
| Display Type | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend Notes |
|---|
| Single Monitor (Standard) | 54.1 | 43.6 | 35.8 | Decrease - Less immersive option fading. |
| VR Headset | 24.5 | 22.5 | 31.7 | Increase - Becoming a primary choice for many. |
| Ultrawide/Super-Ultrawide | NA | N/A | 26.2 | Increase - Popular single-screen upgrade. |
| Triple Monitors | 7.1 | 12.7 | 14.1 | Increase - The ultimate non-VR immersion? |
| TV | 19.3 | 16.5 | 14.1 | Decrease - Less ideal for serious sim racing? |
Rigs: Getting Serious - Ditching the Desk!
- Desk clamps are declining fast.
- Aluminium Profile rigs are now the most popular solution.
| Rig / Mounting Solution (*) | 2022 (%) | 2023 (%) | 2025 (%) | Trend Notes |
|---|
| Aluminium Profile | NA | NA | 33.8 | Most Popular (Now) (Explicit Category in '25) |
| Desk Mount | 35.5 | 23.1 | 21.6 | Decrease - Less stable, less immersive. |
| Wheel Stand | 14.7 | 11.7 | 14.3 | Stable - Good compromise? |
| Tube Frame / Pre-Made | ~27 | ~36 | 13.5 | Stable (Category definitions shifted slightly) |
| Foldable Cockpit | 13.7 | 13.4 | 7.8 | Decrease - Less rigid than profile? |
| DIY Rig | 10.1 | 15.6 | 6.7 | Decrease - Profile rigs becoming more accessible? |
| Controller User / None | N/A | N/A | 5.1 | Correlates w/ Wheelbase (No rig needed) |
*Note: In 2022/2023, this category was optional.
6. Peripherals & Haptics (2025 Snapshot - Detailed categories not tracked in 2022/2023)
The ecosystem extends beyond the basics. Haptics are making inroads.
Other Peripherals Used (2025)
| Peripheral Type | Usage (%) | Commentary |
|---|
| H-Pattern Shifter | 41.5 | Still loved for certain cars/disciplines! |
| None | 36.4 | A significant portion stick to basics. |
| Sequential Shifter | 28.1 | Popular for rally, sequential race cars. |
| Button Box/Stream Deck | 24.4 | Growing need for more inputs. |
| Handbrake | 24.2 | Essential for Rally/Drifting fans. |
| External Dashboard | 18.0 | Enhancing immersion/data visibility. |
Haptic Feedback Usage (2025)
| Haptic Type | Usage (%) | Commentary |
|---|
| None (Only Wheelbase FFB) | 70.1 | Most rely solely on the wheel. |
| Haptic Pedals / Reactors | 19.8 | Growing area - ABS/TC feel. |
| Seat Shaker(s) / Transducers | 17.2 | Growing area - Engine/road feel. |
| Haptic Seat Pad | 3.1 | Niche solution. |
7. Software Ecosystem (2025 Snapshot - Detailed categories not tracked in 2022/2023)
Companion software is integral for many, enhancing realism and utility.
| Software Type | Usage (%) | Commentary |
|---|
| SimHub (Dashboards, Haptics etc.) | 39.2 | The Swiss Army Knife of sim software. |
| CrewChief (Spotter/Engineer) | 37.4 | Essential for many racers. |
| None | 28.9 | A notable segment keeps it simple. |
| Manufacturer Software ONLY | 28.6 | Using only Fanalab, Pit House etc. |
| Telemetry Analysis Tools | 23.1 | For the serious improvers (MoTeC, VRS etc.) |
| Trading Paints (iRacing Liveries) | 21.6 | Basically required for iRacing customization. |
Key Surprises & Highlights:
- The Moza/Simagic Explosion: The rapid rise of these brands fundamentally changed the mid-range DD market.
- The $2k-$10k Spending Boom: This bracket becoming the dominant force highlights a serious commitment increase from the community.
- Aluminium Rigs Overtaking Desk Mounts: Shows a major shift towards dedicated, stable setups.
- VR's Strong Position: Despite challenges, VR is a primary display choice for nearly a third of respondents.
TL;DR - Key Takeaways (2022-2025):
- Older Crowd, Higher Spending: The community is maturing and investing significantly more.
- Direct Drive is Mainstream: Affordable DD (Moza/Simagic) fueled a shift away from Logitech/Thrustmaster.
- Dedicated Rigs Rule: Desk mounting is declining, Aluminium Profile is king.
- Immersion is Key: VR, Ultrawides, and Triples are the preferred displays.
- Expanding Ecosystem: More use of advanced pedals, peripherals, haptics, and software.
- Game Landscape Evolves: AC (mods) endures, ACC/iRacing stay strong, AMS2/LMU rise, PC2 fades. GT Racing dominates.
Let's discuss below!
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