Greetings Good People,

For those who may not know, I am a gamer. I’ve been one since my Sega Genesis days in the early 90s, but it wasn’t until I played the insanely epic Crash Bandicoot on Playstation 1, that I knew I was a true fan. If you’ve never heard of the Crash Bandicoot series or don’t remember them, let me take you back to 1996 really quickly.

Nostalgia. I can still hear my mom now. “Boy, turn that game off and get in here and eat!”

I know that I’ve been critical on television, film, and music in regards to the realm of entertainment as a whole, but the video game industry is one aspect of entertainment that I have nothing but respect for. Since its genesis in the 1970s, video games have shown a steady progression in gameplay, graphics, audio, and storytelling. Seriously, playing a video game now feels like I’m playing an interactive movie, and I love it. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry that’s generated more revenue than film and music within recent years, but a lot of people are unaware of it. Here’s a few fun facts:

• Between 150 – 155 million Americans play video games.
• 51% of U.S. households own a gaming console and 42% play video games regularly (3 or more hours per week).
• 960 million gamers play on their smartphones or other mobile devices.
• The average gamer is 35 years old.
• Gamers: 56% male and 44% female
• There are more adult female gamers than young male gamers under the age of 18 (33% female to 15% male).
• In 2014, the video game industry sold over 135 million games and generated more than 22 billion dollars in revenue.
• Computer and video game companies employ more than 146,000 people within 36 states.

I consider myself more of an action-adventure, third person shooter type of gamer. So I really enjoy playing games such as Metal Gear Solid, Uncharted, Tomb Raider, Grand Theft Auto, Resident Evil and etc. Oh, and Naughty Dog’s 2013 The Last of Us, left me speechless. Everything about that game solidified my respect for this industry. Here’s a clip of what I’m talking about.

Do you see what I mean? Progression.

If I were a math or an IT kind of guy, I would’ve definitely majored in Gaming and Interactive Media Design. Since that’s not the case, I’ll gladly continue to be a fan who supports the product. Much respect to all of those who put in the hard work to produce this interactive form of media.

Until Next Time…

(Sources)

Cox, K. (2014, June 9). It’s Time To Start Treating Video Game Industry Like The $21 Billion Business It Is. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://consumerist.com/2014/06/09/its-time-to-start-treating-video-game-industry-like-the-21-billion-business-it-is/

2015 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ESA-Essential-Facts-2015.pdf

Industry Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.theesa.com/about-esa/industry-facts/

Video Games: The New Social Setting. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Essential-Facts-2015-Infographic.pdf