v1.0 Games and the Impact

Hello all, my name is Drew. My blogs will consist of computer gaming news, technology news, and everything in between. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I did posting it!

In version 1.0 of my blog I am going to be discussing video game growth in the U.S. Economy and it's impact on society. After watching episode 3 of Rise of the VideoGame last night on Discovery it has inspired me to talk about it's impact. I am going to start off with a few facts that you may find interesting:

- The computer and video game industry’s value added to U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2006 was $3.8 billion;

- In 2003-04 and 2005-06, the industry’s contribution to real growth exceeded its share of GDP by more than four to one;

- The entertainment software industry directly and indirectly employs more than 80,000 people in 31 states; and,

- U.S. industry employees received total compensation of $2.2 billion.


The mere fact that the Discovery Channel has done a 5 hour special on the subject of video games is amazing to say the least. We have come a long way since the days of Pong. We are a community of loyal fans of FPS, MMORPG, Simulators and more, we come in all shapes and sizes and span across the globe. We spend billions every year for our entertainment purposes.

I am one of the lucky ones to remember the Atari, and Pong and I have grown up and watched video games evolve into what they are today. Does anyone remember Castle Wolfenstein 3-d? I used to love that game, it was so revolutionary for it's time. And the final boss, he was tough. We all remember the first Doom, now that is a classic. My friends and I used to all huddle around a PC and watch each other play. I remember the graphics to be awesome, but of course as we look back now they are junk.

Fast forwarding about 15 years, the evolution of video games inspired me to spend nearly $4,000 on an Alienware gaming machine, for the purpose of just playing video games. Never would we have thought this would happen when we were playing Mario Bros. on our Nintendo. Gaming has become a big business and created thousands of communities like this one. We are a unique blend of people. Where else can an American and a Middle Eastern be on the same side? Online Gaming has bridged a lot of gaps in society, no matter where you call your home, we are all after just having fun.

Gamers are here to stay.

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