Impact of Games on the Economy, the World and Schools

Here are some interesting facts about the video game industry in terms of the impact on society from The Entertainment Software Association web site.

A study, “Video Games in the 21st Century: The 2010 Report,” detailed the impact that computer and video game companies have on America’s economy. The report stated:

• From 2005 to 2010, the entertainment software industry’s revenue more than doubled. Over the same period, the entire U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) only grew by about 16%.
  
• The entertainment software industry added nearly $5 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2009.
  The U.S. entertainment software industry also continues to function as a vital source of employment. Currently, video game companies directly and indirectly employ more than 120,000 people in 34 states.
  
• The average compensation for direct employees is $90,000, resulting in total national compensation of $2.9 billion

Taking another perspective, here is what Jane McGonigal says gaming and how it can make a better world.

Here is a rather large graphic of how video games are impacting schools.

Via: Online Colleges Guide