Driving Economic Growth with
High-Tech Innovations
An Overview of Today’s Video Game Industry
Michael Gallagher
President and CEO
Entertainment Software Association
Seattle Chamber of Commerce| November 14, 2014
A Broad, Innovative Industry
Everyone Plays
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59% of Americans play games
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Average game player is 31 years old, has played for 14 years
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71% of gamers are age 18 or older
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Average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 35
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48% of gamers are women
Strong Sales Trends
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More than $21 billion in total revenue in 2013
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Sales of game content alone generated $15.4 billion, compared to $7 billion in 2004
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Grand Theft Auto V generated $1 billion in just three days, breaking entertainment sales records
More than Entertainment
Video games drive positive change beyond
entertainment, impacting our daily lives
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Strengthen our education system
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Inspire artistic expression
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Increase our chances for workplace
success
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Improve health and wellness
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Tackle important social issues
Strengthening Economies, Creating Jobs
Washington’s Video Game Industry by the Numbers:
Added $595 million to state economy in 2012
Grew by 7% from 2009 to 2012
95 video game companies
2,974 direct employees
12,883 direct and indirect employees
Employment grew by 14% from 2009 to 2012
Average compensation is $99,964
Strengthening Economies, Creating Jobs
California
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375 video game companies
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10,201 direct industry employees
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63,700 direct and indirect employees
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Grew by 8.8% from 2009-2012
Texas
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127 video game companies
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3,834 direct industry employees
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17,900 direct and indirect employees
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Grew by 15.9% from 2009-2012
Driving Economic Growth with
High-Tech Innovations
An Overview of Today’s Video Game Industry
Michael Gallagher
President and CEO
Entertainment Software Association
Seattle Chamber of Commerce| November 14, 2014