Gaming Industry in the United States Today

The gaming industry makes up one of the most rapidly developing sectors in the United States. This is thanks in large part to the popularity of mobile and online gaming, which has seen a surge in recent years.

Today, the US is second only to China in gaming revenue. In the last quarter of 2021, the United States’ total revenue from the gaming industry was about $40.5 billion. The US gaming industry is also responsible for creating around 1.8 million jobs, and it is expected to grow even further in the coming years. 

Video and mobile games make up the most played games in the US. Often, players gamble online too. Regardless of online gambling restrictions, most of the top 10 online poker sites listed here accept players from all 50 states.

US Gaming Statistics

Newzoo, a global leader in games data tracking, research, and forecasting, carried out research in 2021. According to this research, 57.3% of the American population play games. The most predominant age range of players was between 36 – 50 years.

The research also highlighted an average revenue of $212 per gamer. 60% of US gamers play games to have a rest while 48% play to spend free time.

The most popular game franchises played in decreasing order were;

• Candy Crush
• Call of Duty
• Mario
• Minecraft
• Fortnight

Additionally, the most popular game genres among US players are;

• Casual
• Action
• Shooter
• Racing
• Family
• Adventure

Game Developers in the United States

As we stated previously, the US is a major hotspot for gaming. As a result, some of the biggest gaming companies base their headquarters here. This makes managing their business processes more effortless in the second most prominent gaming market.

In 2017, about 2,400 gaming companies were reported to be in the country. However, over the last five years, that number has grown to over 3000. Regarding revenue generated, here are the biggest game developers in the US and their most sold games.

• Microsoft; Halo 2
• Activision; Call of Duty: Black Ops
• EA; FIFA series
• Take-Two Interactive; GTA V
• Zynga; Empires and Puzzles
• Warner Bros; Batman: Arkham

There are many reasons why the United States is such a great place to be a game developer. First and foremost, it is home to some of the world’s biggest and most well-known game development studios, such as Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, and Electronic Arts.

Why Are More People Playing Games?

While gaming has been widespread, it has undoubtedly increased in the last two years. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, games became an effective way to pass the time. In truth, February through to April of 2020 saw a massive rise in the number of gamers.

The rise in gaming popularity can’t only be attributed to COVID-19. There are so many other factors that have contributed to its growing popularity.

• Technology

The activities of video gaming, cloud gaming, and esports companies have also been key to gaming growth. New technological innovations have led to a rise in the number of gamers. Developments such as VR and AR offer players real-world experience while gaming.

In terms of an immersive experience, the gaming industry has gone beyond most forms of entertainment. Virtual reality is looking to add another layer to gaming immersion. In 2016, Meta purchased Oculus VR, in line with improving VR headsets’ quality.

Other advancements have also hugely improved gaming. Tweaks with controls, audio, and other game mechanics also make it a preferred form of entertainment.

• Involvement of Top Tech Companies

Major tech companies are also becoming involved in gaming. Microsoft is the most famous example with its Xbox console. Apple, Google, and Meta are also involved in gaming in some way. Ultimately, the aim is to make gaming and streaming much more accessible.

Microsoft, for instance, has introduced xCloud. This platform allows gamers to stream Xbox games to other devices. Meta also developed Unity, a framework that makes game development easier. In the same vein, Google has Stadia for game streaming purposes too.

These developments make it possible to stream games without a computer or console. As a result, gaming has become more accessible. Physical gaming forms such as discs and cartridges would also be used less frequently.

• Convenience and Social Factor

Convenience is a huge factor in the popularity of online gaming. In the past, if you wanted to play a game, you had to find someone who owned the same game, and then hope that they were available to play at the same time as you. With online gaming, all you need is an internet connection and you can be playing with people from all over the world, 24/7.

Another big reason why online gaming is so popular is because of the social aspect. In traditional offline games, you would usually only be playing with people that you know in real life. With online gaming, you can meet new people from all over the world who share your same interests. This has led to the formation of large online communities where people can interact and play games together.

• Career Choice

Gaming has transcended past just being a way to pass the time. Currently, some people see it as a platform to make a living. Gaming is also vital in tackling stress, developing skills, and engaging in social interactions.

Aside from the obvious game development, there are many other jobs in the gaming market. Players are now exposed to competitive gaming environments where real money can be won. Other developments like crypto gaming also allow players to use crypto investments in games.

The gaming industry is hugely sponsored. Thus, it’s possible to find a career opportunity in the industry. Some popular career choices in the game industry include;

• Professional gamers
• Gamblers
• Designers
• Animators
• Artists
• Testers
• Software developers.

Conclusion

Gaming has always relied heavily on innovation. New technology brings about a better gaming experience and, as a result, an increase in popularity.

This popularity rise plays an integral part in revenue generated. With more significant revenue potential, more tech companies would seek to get involved in the industry

As more people continue to play games, the need to create a better gaming experience becomes more apparent. Hence, over time, games would become much more immersive and accessible.