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The U.S. video game industry generated a record $43.4
billion in revenue in 2018, up 18 percent from 2017,
according to new data released today by the
Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and The NPD
Group. “The impressive economic growth of the industry
announced today parallels the growth of the industry in
mainstream American culture,” said acting ESA President and CEO Stanley
Pierre-Louis. “Across the nation, we count people of all backgrounds and
stages of life among our most passionate video game players and fans.
Interactive entertainment stands today as the most influential form of
entertainment in America.” “2018 was another record setting year for the
U.S. video game industry as consumer spending jumped 18 percent to over
$43 billion. Whether it was playing on the go on a mobile device or at home
on a PC or console, consumers of all ages and interests found compelling
content that delighted in 2018,” said Mat Piscatella, video games industry
analyst, The NPD Group. “Console, PC, and mobile platforms all saw
significant growth, while developing portions of the market like subscription
and streaming services gave us a peek into a future full of possibilities for
the industry and gamers.” Both hardware revenue, which includes
peripherals, and software revenue across all platforms (console, PC, portable,
and mobile), from physical and digital sales, including in-game purchases
and subscriptions, experienced record growth in 2018.
U.S. Video Game Industry Revenue
Hardware, incl' peripherals
Sftw, incl' in-game purchases
and subscriptions
Total:
2018
$7.5 billion
$35.8 billion
$43.4 billion
2017
"2018 was another record setting year for the U.S.
video game industry as consumer spending jumped
18 percent to over $43 billion."
Mat Piscatella, video games industry analyst, The NPD Group
Growth Percentage
$6.5 billion 15%
$30.4 billion 18%
$36.9 billion 18%
There are 150 million Americans who play video games, making the U.S.
video game industry one of the nation’s fastest growing economic sectors.
The industry provides more than 220,000 jobs in communities across all 50
states, and more than 500 colleges and universities across 46 states offer
programs or degrees related to video games.
To see the full geographic diversity of the industry, visit
www.areweinyourstate.org.
Mobile spend data, which includes paid downloads and in-game
purchases for mobile and tablet devices through Apple’s App Store and
Google Play, was collected from Sensor Tower.
Source: The NPD Group, Sensor Tower
U.S. Video Game Sales Reach
Record-Breaking $43.4 Billion in 2018
The ESA