MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
More than 150 million Americans now play video games, according to national trade body the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).
The organisation’s latest industry report states that 42 per cent of Americans play games regularly, for at least three hours weekly.
A third of players aged 13 and up now game on mobile platforms. However, the ESA adds that mobile’s success hasn’t necessarily impacted traditional games platforms, with more than half (54 per cent) of gamers saying their playing time has increased across all devices.
SuperData Research observes that the US games software market grew from a value of $16.8bn (10.9bn) in 2013 to $18.4bn (12bn) last year, with a total of $19.8bn (12.9bn) estimated by the end of 2015.
This is primarily driven by mobile, with the sector estimated to rake in $4.5bn (2.9bn) in revenue during 2015.
The ESA says that digital sales comprise 52 per cent of overall game sales. SuperData adds that, in April of this year, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was the biggest-earning digital console title, generating $14.4 million (6.4m).
Among the challenges facing US development are meritless patent lawsuits and strict immigration laws that make it hard to retain talent.
Population: 320,925,485
Capital City: Washington, D.C.
Currency: Dollar
GDP (Per Capita): $54,596
KEY RETAILERS
GameStop, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Toys R Us, Kmart, Costco, Fred Meyer, Fry’s Electronics, Hastings Entertainment, Play N Trade, Gamers, Slackers
KEY DISTRIBUTORS
US Games Distribution, BigBen Interactive, BR-1 America, CI Games, Creative Mind, EZ Games, Mecca Electronics, Ram Rom Games, Royal Electronics, EOne, GameWorld, Importel, Koch Media, Play N Trade
TOP DEVELOPERS
Rockstar, 343 Industries, Bungie, Blizzard, Ubisoft, Retro Studios, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sony, Naughty Dog, EA, Epic Games, Capcom, BioWare, Bethesda, Id Software, PopCap, Riot Games
PUBLISHERS IN THE REGION
Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft, Warner Bros, Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Take-Two, Sega, Capcom, Telltale Games, Konami, Riot Games
