Study: Video games worth $180M in economic activity to Mass. in 2009

WASHINGTON – Computer and video games aren’t just entertainment in the Bay State, they’re a legitimate economic driver, according to a study by an industry group released last week.
“Video Games in the 21st Century: The 2010 Report,” released by the Entertainment Software Association, said that the industry was worth $180 million to the Massachusetts economy in 2009. The economic impact includes roughly 4,500 workers and more than $210 million in direct and indirect compensation last year.
Massachusetts had the fifth-largest number of employees in the industry, trailing only California, Texas, Washington and New York.
Nationwide, the industry had a $5 billion economic impact. The study said that the more than 32,000 industry employees earn an average annual compensation of $89,781.
The report didn’t include any information about Rhode Island, but that’s likely to change in future studies. Last month, the R.I. Economic Development Corporation approved a $75 million loan guarantee to 38 Studios LLC, a video game company currently located in Massachusetts and Maryland founded by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.
The 2001 World Series MVP said that the company will bring more than 450 to the Ocean State by the end of 2012. •

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