Behind The Sound Bite
For this week’s Behind The Soundbite, we’re researching the claim that the video game industry in Massachusetts is a $2 billion industry. The claim was made most recently by state Rep. Vincent Pedone, D-Worcester, at a recent event at Becker College in Worcester that focused on the economic development potential of the video game industry. It turns out that the $2 billion numbers comes from a recent survey. However, we could find no other sources with comparable data to verify that number.
Who tracks data on the video game industry in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council Inc., a Burlington trade group of technology executives, surveyed business leaders of 30 gaming companies last year and reported that the video game sector brings revenues exceeding $2 billion to the state annually.
Are there any government sources on the video game industry?
According to 2002 Economic Census, the computer system design and related services industry reported $8.7 billion in annual sales receipts.
What about employment numbers in the state?
The Mass TLC survey found that the gaming industry alone employs 1,200 workers in Massachusetts.
What does the video game industry look like nationally?
The Washington D.C.-based Entertainment Software Association, the national trade group for the video game design industry, has different numbers in its “Video Games in the 21st Century 2010 Report.” According to that study, in 2009 there were 37 video game companies in Massachusetts, employing 1,295 workers directly. That report says that direct compensation to video game employees in 2009 was $108 million. Nationwide, the ESA estimates that the video game industry adds $4.95 billion directly to the national Gross Domestic Product and employs 32,000 workers.
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