Video Games, Education and Entertainment Statistics

Here is a recap of some facts assembled by the Entertainment Software Association:

• A total of 254 universities and other institutions of higher learning in 37 states and the District of Columbia now offer courses and degrees in computer and video game design, programming, and art.
• California is home to 46 institutions of higher learning offering such courses or degrees. Other states in the top 10 are: New York (21); Texas (20); Florida (19); Illinois (16); Pennsylvania (12); Massachusetts (11); Washington (9); Georgia (8); Arizona, Michigan, and Colorado (7).
• According to a study conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, more than a third (35 percent) of parents play computer and video games and 93 percent of these parents have children who also play them.
• According to the ESA’s 2009 Essential Facts about Computer and Video Games booklet, 68 percent of American households now play video games and 42 percent of American homes have a video game console.
• A study conducted last year by KRC Research revealed that 70 percent of major employers utilize interactive software, including games, to train employees. And 75 percent of these businesses plan to expand their usage within the next three to five years.
• Over the past 12 years, annual computer and video game software sales have more than quadrupled to $11.7 billion with overall computer and video game industry sales climbing to a record $22 billion in 2008.
• Among parents who play computer and video games, Peter D. Hart Research Associates reports that 80 percent play with their children and two-thirds of gamer parents feel that playing games has brought their families closer.
• Forty percent of all game players are women. In fact, women over the age of 18 represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (34 percent) than boys age 17 or younger (18 percent).
• In 2009, 25 percent of Americans over the age of 50 play video games, an increase from nine percent in 1999.
• By 2009, it is projected that the entertainment software industry will support over a quarter of a million American jobs. The average salary for direct employees is $92,300, resulting in total national compensation of $2.2 billion.
• California, Washington, Texas, New York and Massachusetts currently have the highest concentration of video game jobs. Collectively, these areas directly employ 16,604 workers and post 70 percent of the industry’s total indirect employment.

A few more industry facts:

• Electronic Arts, in fiscal 2009, had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies, and three titles that each sold more than five million copies including FIFA 09, Madden NFL 09 and Need for Speed Undercover and the company employs over 9000).(from EA Web site)
• Why do parents play games? 72% (It’s Fun For The Entire Family), 71% (Because They’re Asked To), 66% (It’s A Good Opportunity To Socialize With The Child), 50% (It’s A Good Opportunity To Monitor Game Content)from GrabStats.
• Type of Online Game Played Most Often: 11% (Persistent Multi-Player Universe), 14% (Downloadable games such as Bejewled), 16% (Action/Sports/Strategy/Role Play), 47% (Puzzle/Board/GameShow/Trivia/Card), 12% (Other) from GrabStats.
• U.S. video game sales were up 13% in January 2009, to $1.33 billion from GrabStats.

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