In-Game Currency Becomes the Most Wanted Gift of the Season

A new study from the Entertainment Software Association has revealed a major shift in what kids want for Christmas in 2025. Instead of the usual consoles or boxed games, US children are now overwhelmingly asking for in-game currency, with Fortnite’s V-Bucks and Roblox’s Robux leading the list.

The ESA surveyed more than 700 children aged five to 17, finding that three in five plan to ask for video game products this year. But the biggest insight is that 43 percent of them want digital currency above anything else.

Why V-Bucks and Robux Dominate Christmas Lists

While the survey grouped all in-game currency together, the industry’s biggest digital ecosystems make it clear what kids are chasing. Fortnite and Roblox remain two of the most played games in the world, with massive daily active user counts and thriving in-game economies.

Whether it is V-Bucks for Fortnite’s latest skins or Robux for custom outfits and game passes in Roblox, kids are focusing more on personalising their digital identities rather than asking for traditional gaming hardware.

Image Credit: ESA

Below currency, 39 percent of children hope for a new console, while 37 percent want accessories and 37 percent want physical games. Even so, nothing comes close to the popularity of V-Bucks and Robux this holiday.

Kids Want Their Parents to Join In

Another standout finding from the ESA study is that gaming continues to strengthen family connections. More than half of the children surveyed said they want to spend more time playing games with their parents, with the highest interest coming from the youngest age group. Seventy three percent of children aged five to seven said they want shared gaming time this Christmas.

Image Credit: ESA

ESA president and CEO Stan Pierre-Louis says this reinforces how games help families connect, relax, and spend quality time together, especially during the busy holiday season.

Parents Are Spending Big on Gaming Gifts

Alongside the children’s responses, the ESA also surveyed over 1,100 adults, including more than 500 parents. One third of adults plan to buy game-related gifts this year, whether for their kids, partners, or relatives.

Parents in particular are ready to spend more than ever. On average, they expect to put around USD 736 into gaming gifts for their children, though nearly half say they will spend under USD 300. Across all adults surveyed, the general average is around USD 500.

The report shows that families are not only aware of the demand for digital currency, they are fully prepared to supply it.

Live Service Games Continue to Shape Spending in 2025

The surge in V-Bucks and Robux requests lines up with wider trends across the industry. Live service games are more dominant than ever, with players investing heavily in cosmetics, characters, and digital experiences rather than buying standalone games.

Roblox reached more than 47 million concurrent users this year, breaking platform records, while Fortnite continues to skyrocket with new seasons, collaborations, and massive in-game events. With so many children focused on these platforms, the demand for in-game currency is only expected to increase heading into 2026.

For this Christmas at least, V-Bucks and Robux are set to be the hottest digital presents under the tree.

The post V-Bucks and Robux Top US Kids’ Christmas Wishlists, New ESA Study Shows appeared first on Shane the Gamer.