Video-game industry a big winner in Utah
Utah's video-game industry grew by more than 32 percent from 2005 to 2006, according to a study released Tuesday by the Entertainment Software Association. The industry added approximately $77 million to the economy in 2006, compared to $58 million in 2005.
With eight video-game developers and two publishers in Utah, 477 people are directly employed in the industry. More than 1,000 others are employed indirectly by companies that provide products and services used by the publishers and developers.
The numbers do not account for several new studios, such as Eat Sleep Play, that opened this year. The study also does not reflect the growth of existing studios that have expanded as they have launched new games.
"Utah's computer and video-game companies play an ever increasing role in the state's growing economy," said Michael Gallagher, chief executive officer of the software association, which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. "These companies and their colleagues across the nation are making entertainment software one of the fastest growing industries in the United States."
Nationwide, the video-game industry grew by more than 5 percent. Since 2002, when the industry experienced a drop of nearly 8 percent in employment rates, the growth has averaged more than 4 percent.
California employs the largest number of people in the industry, with more than 40 percent of the nationwide employees. Washington state has the second-largest population of developers, with nearly 11 percent.
Utah, by contrast, only accounts for about 2 percent of the industry's employment nationally. Only 31 states have either a development studio or publishing house, however.
E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com
Recent comments
Electronic Arts in Bountiful just landed a huge 10 year contract with...
Xamekim | Nov. 29, 2007 at 4:44 p.m.
Weber State has created a video game development certificate that...
Woo hoo | Nov. 28, 2007 at 4:08 p.m.
- Myths harmless, unnecessary 10:17 a.m.
- Reactions on Boozer speculation 10:15 a.m.
- Obama and pope hold first meeting 10:11 a.m.
- Stocks falter 10:10 a.m.
- Springville may allow chickens 10:08 a.m.
- Man admits slaying in cold-case 10:07 a.m.
- Armstrong drops to 3rd at Tour 10:04 a.m.
- White is underestimated in garden 10:03 a.m.
- Super glue: It's holding us together 9:49 a.m.
- Feillu wins 7th Tour stage 9:48 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
137 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
106 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
78 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Single-payer system best
69
By now you've probably read about the investigation that showed just how...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Actually come to think of it Webster would be an awesome fit in the Jazz...
YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO WIPE YOUR NOSE EVERY TIME YOU SNEEZE, THEN THE...
Might as well plant corn, or something else to utilize the ground while we...
Apollo Sun Millsap started 31 games last season and averaged 16 and 10....
In Kalifornia they need to purge the welfare rolls, cut off free health care...
Brother Chuck, attacking Jesse Jackson on this is a new low for you.
As a percentage of the state population, New Mexico has the highest...
RC Willey is a credit institution that happens to sell furniture. Their ads...
All you geniuses. After five months, you expect the economy to turn around...
That is a great price tag for a PF/C with the tools that Okur offers. He...


