In this presentation, Ben Sheehy discusses how the gaming industry has helped the US economy since the economic collapse in 2008-2009.

1. Gaming Industry
Helps US Economy
by Ben Sheehy

2. If you have been following updates on the
economy here in the United States, then
it should come as no surprise that there
is reason to be optimistic. Unemployment
is down to 5.8 percent, which translates
to hundreds and thousands of new jobs
according to monthly job reports.

3. Attribute these numbers to a
political party if you must, but
the fact of the matter is the video
game industry is partially
responsible for creating jobs.

4. In a report released this week by the
Entertainment Software Association,
business grew by more than 9 percent
annually from 2009 to 2012. With the
economy hit as badly as it was in 2009,
it is hard to imagine any businesses
were able to grow at that rate.

5. In fact, during these years, the US
economy was only growing at around
2% annually. High-paying
manufacturing jobs were disappearing
while some of the creative industries
were continuing to generate growth.

6. The gaming industry was
responsible for contributing
approximately $6 billion to the
US economy in 2012.

7. The study also found that the gaming
industry can claim approximately 42,000
employees working throughout 36 states.
Estimates put employment as a direct
and indirect result of the gaming
industry at around 146,000 individuals.

8. With an average salary lying between
$90,000 and $100,000 it is easy to see how
playing video games for all those years is
actually paying off. These numbers may
help parents sleep at night when they
wonder how to get their kids active and
away from the gaming consoles.

9. According to the Chief Executive Officer
Michael Gallagher of the Entertainment
Software Association, “The high-energy,
high-tech video game industry is
rapidly producing some of the most
valuable jobs in the U.S. economy.”

10. He also added, “Our industry is one of
the nation’s fastest growing economic
sectors and represents tens of
thousands of high-paying, well-educated
professionals, artists, and creators.”

11. A consistent 9 percent economic growth
allowed publishers and developers to
reinvest in their companies, resulting in
increased employment.
!
As gaming becomes more accessible and
technology continues to advance, one has
to believe that these numbers will remain
consistent for some time.

12. For more information about Ben Sheehy,
visit bensheehyservicenow.com
!
!