Here are some gaming industry facts that will blow your mind!
From its humble origins as a couple of dozen ugly pixels bouncing on the screen, video games have grown to become an entertainment industry behemoth. In fact, the gaming industry has grown so large that it has seeped into the mainstream world, from our culture and the arts to economics and even the government.
But just how big has it gotten? How many lives has it affected, and in how many different ways?
Here are 10 Interesting Gaming Industry Facts You Probably Didn't Know About – facts sure to entertain and to educate you about your favorite industry!
1. Billions of people play video games
Whatever form they come in, video games are extremely popular. In North America alone, over 155 million people play video games. 42% play games 3 hours or more a week, while previous statistics state that between 59% and 67% are gamers.
Four out of five households in the U.S. own a video gaming device. 51% of American households are in possession of a gaming console, while 68% of gamers play using tables or smartphones.
It is estimated that by 2016, there will be over 1.55 billion gamers worldwide, a huge boost from 1.21 billion gamers in 2013.
2. Adults play video games – a LOT
The concept that video games are only for kids is clearly wrong; according to recent research, the average age of a gamer is 35 years old, while 37 is the average age of those who buy games the most frequently. In North America, 17% of gamers are between 36 and 49 years old, while 27% are over the age of 50. In contrast, only 26% of gamers are under the age of 18.
What this means is that a majority of gamers are adults. More surprisingly, there are more grandparents playing video games than people aged 18 and under!
Definitely one of the most interesting gaming industry facts!
3. Women also play video games a lot
Image from GaYoung Kim
Whoever says only dudes play video games must have not done their research. Recent evidence shows that 44% of gamers are female, while 56% are male. These values change every year, and there were several times when they were closer to 50/50.
There are also more women over the age of 18 who play games (33%) than males under the age of 18 who play games (15%).
Only slightly more women than men prefer “casual” games to “core” games.
When it comes to core games, men and women enjoy the same genres, though they have slightly different priorities. Women enjoy RPGs the most, followed by action games, shooters, arcade games, and fighting games. On the other hand, men are into action games the most, followed by shooters, RPGs, fighting games, and arcade games.
It’s one of the most relevant gaming industry facts, as it demonstrates to developers that the market is composed of almost has as many females as it males.
4. Video games are a family thing
Related to points # 1 and 2, video games are actually enjoyed by the entire family – not just the kids.
American parents don’t find video games as horrible as some critics would have you believe. 59% of parents are gamers. 63% think video games can provide a positive experience for their children. 75% feel that playing games is a great way to bond with their children. 85% think games can be good fun for the entire family, and play with their kids precisely because of this reason. This is excellent news, as a majority of games produced (41%) are actually rated “E for Everyone.”
Most parents of children who play games also assume active roles in their children’s hobby. 91% of parents control how their children play video games, such as how much time their kids spend playing each day. 84% know about the ESRB rating system, while 69% check a game’s rating before buying it for their kids.
One of the more surprising gaming industry facts!
5. Video games are a billion-dollar industry
Everyone’s spending money on video games these days. 2014 saw 135 million games and game-related items generating a revenue of over $22 billion in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is growing to become the world’s largest game market as it continues to see annual revenues of over $25 billion.
According to research, worldwide video game sales in 2013 surpassed $93 billion, and that number continues to rise every year. Video games therefore play a significant role in economic growth.
The game industry also provides work for over 146,000 Americans across 36 states.
6. There are now more digital than physical games
Physical-only games are becoming a thing of the past, as more and more games are being released digitally.
In 2014, 52% of video games were purchased digitally. This included DLC, social networking titles, online subscriptions, and mobile apps. That very same year saw an enormous number of digital releases on Steam – more than triple of those released in 2013. Steam now has twice as many users as it had in 2013.
These are significant changes, especially considering that back in 2009, a huge majority of games were released physical only.
7. Video games are good for your health in more ways than one
Detractors often accuse video games as being bad for people. While video games, like any form of entertainment, can cause potential harm, there is massive body of research demonstrating the positive effects of playing video games.
For starters, casual games can reduce depressive symptoms by 57%. Playing with a team in multiplayer games can also help improve self-esteem.
According to a survey of teachers who include games as a teaching tool in their classrooms, 70% of teachers feel video games increase the engagement levels and motivation of their students.
There’s also research demonstrating how playing video games can be good for your brain. We actually have an article about games that can improve your ability to think, which you can find here. Games can also enhance the learning capabilities of players.
Other benefits include improved eye-hand coordination, improved eyesight, and the ability to think in 3D. Multiplayer games like World of Warcraft and Halo also help people socialize and make friends. Video games are now even being used in medical training, to help diagnose diseases, and in physical therapy.
A list of gaming industry facts would be incomplete without this important point!
8. Video games are a positive influence on art
In this list of gaming industry facts, we’re more than happy to say that video games are increasingly being acknowledged not only for their artistic and cultural value, but as an engine that drives the improvement of art.
In the U.S., various universities provide students with artistic training in connection with video game design. One example is New York University’s NYU Game Center, which is dedicated to educating young people in the development of video games.
Numerous art exhibitions in the U.S. and the rest of the world now showcase video game designs and graphics.
The relationship between video games, movies, and television is growing. More and more movies are being turned into games, while video game franchises are being turned into movies. Video games are also taking on a more cinematic feel, with games such as Uncharted 3 and Grand Theft Auto V boasting explosive set pieces rivaling Hollywood’s best.
The game industry has also had an impact on literature, as countless novels and comic books have been created as tie-ins to video games.
Even music has benefitted from video games. It has become a boon to classical music, as many titles feature original scores performed by distinguished symphony orchestras. Many video game music composers have been recognized by the musical world. For example, Christopher Tin’s “Baba Yetu,” which he composed for Civilization IV, won a Grammy in 2005.
Then there’s Video Games Live, a concert series combining the majesty of the symphony orchestra with our favorite video game melodies. Video Games Live, which boasts performances from acclaimed orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra, tours the world and continues to be extremely popular.
9. Billions of people are watching video games and eSports
Some people have as much fun watching video games as playing them. This is why countless people are now flocking to YouTube to watch various gaming channels.
Each month, over 3.5 billion people tune in to YouTube to watch Let’s Play videos, walkthroughs, and other videos dedicated to the video gaming lifestyle. Some YouTube personalities have so many fans their popularity rivals your typical celebrity musicians and actors. Seriously, who hasn’t heard of Pewdie Pie or Markiplier?
As for competitive gaming, more than 71 million people watch eSports globally.
eSports itself is huge, with millions of players around the world fighting to make it to the big leagues. Tournaments give out cash prizes ranging from thousands to the millions of dollars.
10. The top sellers!
People have different preferences when it comes to their favorite game genres. Some genres, however, are more popular than others.
When it comes to PC games, the most popular genre is strategy; over 37.7% of PC game sales are strategy games. This is followed by casual games at 24.8%, RPG at 20.2%, and shooters at 8.2%.
The statistics in regards to console games are a little different. Action is the clear favorite at 28.2%, followed by shooters at 21.7%. Then comes sports games (13.3%), adventure games (6%), and RPGs (9.5%).
The top-selling games in the U.S. include The Sims 4, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, The Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Madden NFL 15, Destiny, Grand Theft Auto V, and Minecraft.
World of Warcraft, however, holds the record of being the highest grossing title in gaming history, raking in an astounding $10 billion since its release.
There you have it: the 10 Interesting Gaming Industry Facts You Probably Didn't Know About. So, how do they make you feel as a gamer? Share your opinions with us in the comments section below!
If you’d like to know more video game industry facts, check out the following articles!
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