1. more games being produced because the industry is larger and the barrier of entry was reduced
2. more and easier ways to access them: free-to-play models, relatively stable $60 top-end price even after 2 decades of inflation
3. more socially acceptable and includes more than the nerdy kids from ~20 years ago. You could get bullied for playing EverQuest when I was a kid.
4. streaming platforms complements it and probably encourages playing games more often
5. more "addiction innovation" through game mechanics
6. maybe a long shot, but both parents often working now means less time spent with kids