While this online article by notable game journalist Dean Takahasi clearly has an unfavorable opinion of the industry, the numbers don’t lie: times may be getting tough all over, but if you’ve recently found yourself “outsourced,” GO WEST!!! California’s computer and video game industry grew by 12.3 percent last year, nearly three times faster than the state’s overall growth, and added $1.7 billion to the state economy, according to a ground-breaking study released on Nov. 27th by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). According to the study, Video Games in the 21st Century: Economic Contributions of the U.S. Entertainment Software Industry, there are over 190 facilities in the state which directly and indirectly employ over 34,600 Californians. The economic impact report was conducted by Economists Inc.

“California”s computer and video game companies play an ever increasing role in the state’s growing economy,” said Michael Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, 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.” It’s good to know at least one industry is growing in the U.S.

- Michele White