Lighthouse Studio Conducts Survey on Gamers' Perceptions of 'Auto and Idle Features'

Lighthouse Studio, Inc. (Representative Directors: Tomoyuki Kato, Naoki Kishida), a group company of CARTA HOLDINGS, Inc. that operates gaming media sites such as "Kamigame Kouryaku," conducted a perception survey regarding 'auto and idle features' in games among 300 game users nationwide.

The results revealed that over 75% of users reported either "almost entirely manual operation" or "mostly manual operation" during their regular gameplay, indicating that manual control remains dominant. Additionally, around 66% of users said they have experienced a sense of emptiness (futility) while watching or idling games via auto-features. For games that progress almost entirely through auto-play, the most common response—chosen by approximately 42%—was that they feel less like games and more like viewing applications.

Survey Overview

Survey Dates: April 24, 2026 – April 30, 2026

Target: Gamers nationwide

Method: Online questionnaire

Respondents: 300

Summary of Results

・75.6% of players spend more time on manual operation—hands-on gameplay remains mainstream

・Most common multitasking activity during auto-play: "watching video content" (47.7%)

・Most captivating element during auto-viewing: "cute or cool character movements" (39.7%)

・Games requiring constant manual input: "fun but often avoided when tired" (41.3%)—most common response

・If rewards are equal, 67.7% prefer "manual, completed in 3 minutes" over "fully idle auto, takes 10 minutes"

・77.7% have at some point felt satisfied just by watching gameplay videos

・65.7% have experienced a sense of emptiness during auto-viewing or idle play

・42.3% consider games that are over 90% auto-play to be "more like viewing apps"—the most common response

・46% in total consider "rich auto features" when choosing new games

・38.3% view modern battles as "a show to watch characters shine"—the most common perception

・41% define "playing" a game as "thinking about character development and team composition, then observing the results"

Detailed Survey Results

Hands-on gameplay remains mainstream—about 76% spend more time on manual operation

Regarding the proportion of "time spent on manual operation" versus "time spent watching the screen via auto or idle features" during regular gameplay, the combined responses of "almost entirely manual operation" (34.3%) and "mostly manual operation" (41.3%) totaled 75.6%. Only 20.0% said "mostly using auto or idle (viewing)," and 4.4% said "almost entirely using auto or idle," suggesting that active, hands-on gameplay remains the dominant style.

Most common multitasking during auto-play: watching video content

When asked about other activities performed simultaneously while using auto-features (multiple responses allowed), "watching video content" was the most common response at 47.7%. This was followed by "browsing or posting on social media" (35.0%), "listening to music, radio, or podcasts" (27.0%), and "working, studying, doing housework, or eating" (24.0%). Only 11.3% said they do not use auto-features at all.

Most captivating element during auto-viewing: cute or cool character movements

When asked what aspect of the screen captures their attention most during auto-play (multiple responses allowed), "cute or cool character movements" was the top response at 39.7%. This was followed by "flashy special move effects and animations" (34.3%) and "beautiful 3D character models" (33.0%). Meanwhile, 17.7% said they hardly pay attention to the screen.

Games requiring constant manual input: "fun but often avoided when tired"

Regarding games that require constant manual control and demand full attention, the most common response was "fun, but I tend to avoid them when tired" (41.3%). Other responses included "I enjoy the hands-on gameplay and like it most" (31.0%), "I feel they take too long and have poor time efficiency" (17.7%), and "I find complex manual operations tedious or difficult" (10.0%).

If rewards are equal, nearly 70% choose "manual, 3-minute quest" over "idle auto, 10-minute quest"

When asked which quest they would choose if both offered identical rewards, 67.7% selected "requires constant manual input but finishes in 3 minutes," surpassing the 32.3% who chose "fully idle auto, takes 10 minutes."

About 80% have felt satisfied just by watching gameplay videos of new games

When asked whether they sometimes feel satisfied just by watching live-streamed or gameplay videos of popular new titles without downloading or purchasing them, 77.7% said they have experienced this—combining "quite often" (21.7%), "occasionally" (39.3%), and "once or twice" (16.7%). Only 22.3% said they never feel this way.

About 66% have felt a sense of emptiness during auto-viewing or idle play

Regarding whether users have ever felt a sense of emptiness—questioning whether they are truly "playing" a game—while using auto or idle features, 65.7% said they have experienced this feeling, combining "quite often" (18.7%) and "occasionally" (47.0%). Only 34.3% said they never feel this way.

42.3% consider games that are over 90% auto-play to be "more like viewing apps"

When asked about games that progress over 90% via auto or idle features, the most common response was "more like a viewing app than a game" (42.3%). Other responses included "a legitimate game focused on enjoyment of character development and team building" (40.0%) and "not a game if I'm not actively playing" (17.7%).

For better viewing experience, users want "instant battle completion with results only" feature

When asked what features would improve the viewing experience during auto-play (multiple responses allowed), "ability to instantly complete battles and view results only" was the top request at 38.3%. This was followed by "cinematic camera that automatically shifts perspective like a movie" (34.3%), "background auto-looping function" (29.3%), and "viewing mode with UI hidden, showing only visuals" (26.0%).

46% in total consider "rich auto features" when choosing new games

When asked how much importance they place on "rich auto features" when selecting a new game, the most common response was "nice to have, but not a deciding factor" (39.0%). Other responses included "not essential but one of the important criteria" (36.0%), "I actually prefer to do everything manually" (15.0%), and "top priority (I won't play games without it)" (10.0%).

38.3% view modern game battles as "a show to watch characters shine"

Regarding the meaning of "battle (combat)" in modern games, the most common perception was "a show to watch characters shine and enjoy the visuals" (38.3%). This was followed by "a chore to earn items or progress" (32.4%) and "a challenge to overcome using one's skill" (29.3%).

What does "playing" a game mean today? "Thinking about development and team composition, then watching the results"—top response

When asked what "playing (engaging with)" a modern game means to them, the most common response was "thinking about character development and team composition, then watching the results" (41.0%). This was followed by "manually controlling and aiming to clear using skill" (37.0%) and "enjoying beautiful worlds and character performances" (22.0%).

About Lighthouse Studio, Inc.

Lighthouse Studio operates media businesses including "Kamigame Kouryaku" (https://kamigame.jp/), a gaming strategy site with over 100 million monthly page views, and "Kaubel" (https://kaubel.com/), an e-commerce media site, as well as the influencer marketing business "LIT LIVE" (https://lighthouse-studio.voyage/litlive.html). Lighthouse Studio is committed to developing services and businesses that solve problems for users and corporate clients alike, striving to be a "lighthouse" for all.

Company Overview

Company Name: Lighthouse Studio, Inc.

Representatives: Representative Directors Tomoyuki Kato, Naoki Kishida

Address: Toranomon Hills Station Tower, 36F, 2-6-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Founded: November 1, 2017

Business Activities: Media business providing game information, influencer marketing business, and other game-related ventures

Major Shareholder: CARTA HOLDINGS, Inc.

URL: https://lighthouse-studio.voyage/

Media Contact

Public Relations, CARTA HOLDINGS, Inc.

URL: https://cartaholdings.co.jp/contact/pr/form/