Sure, video gaming got a boost from the pandemic lockdowns. Stuck at home with nothing to do, some turned to TV and reading books. Gamers turned to what they do best—gaming. Money spent on videogaming in the United States jumped from $61 billion in 2019 to $85.86 billion in 2021, up 24 percent. It's now at $100 billion for 2022.

Advances in technology, with faster processing and connection speeds, higher-end graphics, and a more immersive experience, are the most likely reasons for the surge. The kinds of gaming experiences only hinted at 10 or 15 years ago are now a reality.

"Videogames are fun," says Paul June, VP of Marketing for CORE Gaming. "From first-person players to whole world sagas, to puzzles and word games, videogames appeal to people of all ages and stages. They've become a way to relax and to socialize."

Often thought of as the purview of teens and tweens, the videogaming demographic sweet spot where most gamers reside is now between the ages of 18 to 34 (38 percent). Only one in five gamers are under the age of 18. Overall, 59 percent of gamers are men, and 41 percent are women. Most video gamers come from Asia, Europe, and North America.

Essential Gear for Gamers

CORE Gaming partners with top gaming suppliers around the world to offer essential gaming gear that’s been vetted for quality, performance, and style. Here's a look at some of what's HOT at Core Gaming.

All products sold through CORE Gaming come with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. When you use the promo code GameOn at checkout from the CORE Gaming online store, you get 20% off MSRP.

CORE GAMING BACKPACK

Topping the list for most gamers is the award-winning CORE Gaming Backpack. It features generous storage for laptops, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and accessories. Four external, zippered pockets are perfect for storing mice, phones, cables, and even personal items. Inside is dedicated storage for media and headphones. There’s also a built-in, external USB charge port that provides access to an internal power bank (sold separately). With it, you can charge phones or other USB devices without opening the backpack.

The CORE Gaming Backpack comes in three versions. The functionality remains essentially the same with each version, so the differences are more about style.

• The CORE Gaming Backpack w/Molded Panel presents a sleek, modern, industrial look.
• The CORE Gaming Backpack w/Velcro Panel features a front hook-and-loop panel. It’s great for attaching things like school, team, and company logos.
• The CORE Gaming Backpack Special Edition sports distinctive white trim and piping in place of the standard CORE Gaming “red” highlights.

CORE GAMING TACTICAL BACKPACK

Winner of a 2021 TWICE VIP Award, the CORE Gaming Tactical Backpack is for gamers serious about protecting their gear. With its frameless design, padded shoulder straps, and moisture-wicking back panel, payloads of all sorts can be carried comfortably.

Sections for laptops, consoles, and accessories, plus external webbing that holds removable “MOLLE” pockets, make this backpack a storage dream come true. The backpack ships with two MOLLE pockets, but you can add more. Another highlight is its integrated, water-resistant, tear-proof, hideaway rain cover.

MOBILE POWER & CHARGING

With the popularity of mobile gaming exploding, gamers need to keep their devices powered up while they’re on the go. Our CORE Power AC USB 27,000mAh Portable Laptop Charger boasts 85 watts of power. That’s plenty to charge even the most power-starved laptops and USB devices. It features a standard AC outlet, USB ports, and meets FAA carry-on requirements for lithium batteries.

When an outlet is handy, gamers can rely on the powerful USB Wall Charger Turbo 6. This 6-port USB charging station is engineered with IntelliQ Smart Chip Technology, delivering the exact current each device needs for optimal, quick charging.

GAMING DESK

Of course, when they’re not on the road, gamers need comfort and style at home. They can start with Arozzi’s Arena Gaming Desk, rated one of the top gaming desks by IGN.com. Known for durability, this desk is also high on aesthetics and functionality. The Arena’s large top is 5-feet-3-inches by 2-feet-8-inches. It features a full-surface desk mat that’s water-resistant and machine washable. Highlights include custom cutouts for cables, a grommet-mountable monitor attachment, a cable management basket, and sturdy steel legs.

HEADSETS

The 15537 HyperGear SoundRecon RGB LED Gaming Headset brings immersive light and audio to the gaming experience. The SoundRecon technology enhances game play with full-range stereo surround sound, long-wear comfortability, and dynamic RGB lighting.

The Arozzi Aria Gaming Headset is built tough. Its aluminum frames mean it can stand up to vigorous gameplay. Hi-Fi capable with 50mm drivers for amazing quality and immersive in-game audio, they’re ideal for when a set of earbuds just won’t do.

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