Survey: Mass. Digital Games Industry Growing

The number of jobs in the state’s digital and video game industry has grown 78 percent over the last three years, according to a survey conducted by the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDiGI), which is based at Becker College in Worcester.

The survey identified 124 organizations as being within the industry. They employ more than 2,000 workers in the state, accounting for the large increase since a 2009 survey by the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. Of the 124 organizations, 28 have launched since 2010 and 39 percent plan to hire within the next year.

Timothy Loew, MassDiGI’s executive director, said the results “shine a spotlight on one of the fastest growing, most exciting and creative segments of the Massachusetts innovation economy. The local game industry clusters across Massachusetts are healthy and vibrant, and are poised to grow over the coming year.”

Two other findings from the survey:

MassDiGI estimates that the industry’s salary and benefits totaled $234.2 million and helped support another 5,307 indirect employees.
Of the 124 respondents, 51 percent create products for the mobile games space; 45 percent work on the web; 35 percent on desktop platforms; and 13 percent on console platforms.

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray also applauded the results. “The digital and video game industry is experiencing significant growth, and Massachusetts is committed to providing tools and resources to build a talented pipeline of skilled students to support the industry," he said.

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