Gaming as a movement: The cultural mark of Gen Z and Alpha

 

The gaming scene is developing in wild, unpredictable ways, all thanks to unique digital imprints of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Raised in a time where gaming, memes, and social media naturally intertwine, these generations have cultivated deeply personal, yet distinct, relationships with technology. With 90% of Gen Z active on social media and 54% dedicating four hours or more daily, they wield platforms as tools for self-expression, creativity, and community-building, despite their famously short 8-second attention span. In contrast, Gen Alpha, tech-savvy from an early age, often begins exploring digital spaces before they start school. Nearly half of them own tablets by age six, and by seven, they’re effortlessly traversing rich gaming universes on their video game consoles.

For gaming studios, this signals an important turning point. Players are no longer passive consumers of content but active participants who influence trends, shape expectations, and demand genuine engagement. Yet, traditional methods of understanding this audience often fail to capture the full complexity of their digital experiences. Their digital identities are defined not only by the games they play and the platforms they use but by how they utilize those spaces to connect, socialize, and forge meaningful interactions. If we look past the surface-level statistics and broad assumptions, what can the gaming industry learn from their daily digital habits?

The new faces of digital storytelling

Gen Z has seen the rise of countless trends, but Gen Alpha is taking things in a new direction with their love for quirky, hyper-fast storytelling. A standout example is the YouTube series “Skibidi (IPA: /ˈskɪ.bɪ.di/) Toilet,” created by Alexey Gerasimov on his channel DaFuq!?Boom!. The series follows bizarre battles between toilets with human heads and people with CCTV cameras, speakers, and TVs for heads in a dystopian world. With over 65 billion views on YouTube last year, this video series has become a massive hit. It has spread to TikTok, where its hashtag has millions of views, and has inspired numerous memes on Instagram. Since then, DaFuq!?Boom! has grown to over 43 million subscribers, proving as a testament to Gen Alpha’s appetite for surreal, fast-paced narratives that alter the way we experience digital storytelling.

The viral cycle: Short, absurd, and addictive

For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, gaming is a cultural mainstay. TikTok and YouTube Shorts have become go-to platforms for digital engagement, with 60% of active TikTok users being Gen Z. Central to this change is one of Gen Z and Alpha’s defining traits— their love for the absurd steming from their need for novelty and unpredictability. This preference is linked to psychological factors like dopamine release—unusual, humorous content activates pleasure centers in the brain, making absurdity not only entertaining but addictive. 

Games like Among Us and Fall Guys owe much of their popularity to these trends, becoming cultural phenomena due to their meme-worthy moments. These games thrive on their shareability, as players create and spread viral content, often via TikTok. The absurdity of ‘Among Us’ sabotage scenarios or ‘Fall Guys’ wacky, competitive arenas perfectly consolidates the chaotic and meme-centric humor these generations adore.

This infectious cycle—game moments turned into memes, which, in turn, drive more players to the game— shows just how easily meme culture can fuel engagement in the gaming world​. And, beyond just the visuals, meme culture’s values—fidelity, fertility, and longevity—are what keep these gaming experiences alive. In the same way that brands like Wendy’s and Duolingo use memes to connect authentically with younger audiences, game developers have embraced meme-driven marketing to tap into Gen Z’s language​. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) only amplifies this behavior, as trends spread quickly through social media, urging players to join the conversation.

Roblox, Fortnite, and the new social scene 

For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, gaming platforms like Roblox and Fortnite have evolved past gameplay into central social hubs. They are social spaces, much like malls or skateparks of the past, where users can hang out, attend virtual concerts, or even engage with brands in unique ways. Take Nike’s partnership with Roblox, for example, where users can participate in branded challenges and purchase virtual products. These collaborations signal a change in digital branding—one that reflects the immersive, participatory nature of how Gen Z and Alpha interact with the digital world. In fact, for 42% of Gen Alpha and 43% of Gen Z, gaming is their main medium for connecting with friends, showing just how embedded it is in their daily rhythms.

Gaming also fosters a strong sense of belonging. Beyond the games themselves, platforms like Twitch and YouTube are the frontlines of this phenomenon. In 2022, gaming videos on these platforms reached an astounding 3 trillion views. Furthermore, 38% of Gen Z in the U.S. actively used these platforms to watch live streams of video games, solidifying their position as a cultural touchstone for these generations.

What’s even more fascinating is the blossoming role of content creators, who are the new influencers shaping trends and engagement in the gaming world. Streamers like Jess No Limit, Total Gaming, VEGETTA777 and Ninja have become cultural icons in their own right. Game studios have taken note, often partnering with high-profile creators to develop in-game events, narratives, and even exclusive items that reflect the humor and desires of their audience. 

This collaborative spirit has given rise to virtual experiences like Fortnite’s Travis Scott concert, which attracted over 12 million live players, merging music, social interaction, and gaming into a seamless digital experience that resonates deeply with these generations​.

AI companions and digital friendships

Around 58% of Gen Alpha kids prefer gaming over TV or sports. As Gen Alpha grows up surrounded by AI-integrated games, the way they form connections with AI-driven characters is becoming a hallmark of their gaming experiences. AI characters adapt to the player’s decisions, creating a sense of companionship that often feels deeply personal, like genuine friends or allies. Advanced algorithms drive these interactions, responding in real-time to player choices, allowing for highly personalized narratives that blur the lines between in-game relationships and real-world emotions​.

Moreover, the integration of AI companions is not limited to gaming. They are also being used across industries, from healthcare to education, where virtual companions can act as personal assistants, tutors, or even trainers​.These developments reflect a broader trend where Gen Alpha’s interactions with AI extend beyond entertainment into everyday life, preparing them for a future of deeply integrated AI across various sectors.

Demand for mental health awareness and digital well-being

As digital life becomes more interlaced with everyday experiences, both Gen Z and Gen Alpha are recognizing the need for balance. They are not just engaging with technology but actively advocating for mental health and digital well-being, understanding the impact that prolonged screen time can have on stress and anxiety.

This heightened awareness has led to increased demand for mental health features integrated into gaming platforms. Players are actively seeking environments where they can engage without the detrimental effects of toxicity and harassment, often associated with competitive online spaces. In response, game developers are now incorporating tools such as screen time management, well-being check-ins, and even in-game mental health resources. These features are becoming standard, past any superficial add-ons, reflecting a deepening cultural shift toward mindful digital consumption.

The right balance in digital marketing

When it comes to digital marketing aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the difference between success and failure often lies in a brand’s ability to authentically connect with its audience. The rapid pace of change in digital spaces means that brands need to be agile, thoughtful, and community-focused to resonate with these generations.

Take McDonald’s collaboration with Travis Scott as a prime example, which skyrocketed sales by merging pop culture with consumer experiences. The campaign featured a branded meal along with exclusive merchandise from Scott’s Cactus Jack brand, which sold out in seconds and even led to ingredient shortages in some areas. Scott’s active involvement, from creating the tagline “Tell them Cactus Jack sent you” to personally promoting the meal, made the partnership feel genuine and aligned with Gen Z’s cultural sensibilities. This campaign succeeded not just because it was flashy, but because it felt authentic and aligned with Gen Z’s cultural sensibilities. 

On the other hand, brands that miss the mark often do so by appearing inauthentic or attempting to force engagement without truly understanding their audience’s digital habits. For example, Zara faced backlash in 2023 for an ad campaign that many found tone-deaf, with imagery evoking insensitive parallels to the Gaza conflict. Despite attempts to explain the artistic intent, the campaign was swiftly removed, showing how quickly Gen Z and Alpha will disengage or ridicule brands that fail to grasp cultural sensitivities. In the fast-moving world of social media, such missteps can be disastrous.

Embracing user-generated content (UGC)

One of the most vital components of engaging these younger generations is embracing user-generated content (UGC). Gen Z values participation, preferring to shape the narrative rather than just observe it. Brands that encourage this creative participation, such as through TikTok challenges or collaborative social campaigns, can build organic connections that feel real. For instance, tbh Skincare tapped into the humor and spontaneity of Gen Z through its playful TikTok stunts, boosting awareness in a way that felt natural and engaging.

In contrast, marketing strategies that treat these digital spaces as one-dimensional advertising channels fail to capture the attention of Gen Z and Alpha. These generations are sophisticated, multitasking across various platforms and devices simultaneously, expecting smooth interconnected experiences that transcend just one app or platform. They want campaigns that integrate gaming, social media, and even in-person experiences in a unified and engaging manner​. 

For future digital campaigns, success will depend on a brand’s ability to authentically tap into this complex ecosystem of user involvement, cross-platform engagement, and cultural relevance. As Gen Z and Alpha continue to influence digital spaces, creativity, sincerity, and community will be essential to building meaningful connections that stand the test of time.