The US video game industry has grown to be a juggernaut! The video game industry creates over $90 billion yearly and over 420.000 jobs across the US. California is called the Golden State for a reason, and it leads the charge, but Florida, which has a fraction of its size and economy, is ranked 4th on the list, making over $2.7 billion yearly with over 16.000 jobs in the state. Video games have become a mainstream phenomenon, captivating the minds and imagination of audiences worldwide, where US studios have produced incredible and iconic games through the years. Many of these studios are in Florida, so it’s worth diving into what makes Florida’s gaming industry great.
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1. The big picture
When people say “video games”, they usually think about consoles and PCs, maybe even handhelds, as they’ve made a comeback recently. But casino games are also part of this industry, which can often outpace it. All of the best online casinos like those recommended by Techopedia probably have games made by Florida studios. Their gameplay, graphics, multimedia, and sheer variants are all responsible for the success of the online casino industry.
After all, someone needs to make the game interfaces and design the digital entertainment in casinos, and Florida’s gaming studios are certainly, and proven, up for the task. With the continuous expansion of the entire industry, and as online casinos become more widespread and legal in the US, it’s clear that Florida gaming studios will soon find even more work.
2. Giving back to the community
As with every industry, Florida’s gaming industry is taxed, and while making over $2.9 billion per year, the industry also pays almost $50 million in taxes. That is not a small number coming from a single industry, and it’s being used by the entire state. While its citizens must currently access offshore crypto gambling sites and online poker sites, we should mention that the tax revenue could increase when online gambling becomes legal in its entirety.
Until then, Florida will miss out on taxing these industries and generating even more tax revenue. But the current revenue is being put to good use, where video games and gamers are fueling various socio-economic projects. Giving back to the community is a vital part of every American business that shows their gratitude and improves the community they are part of. Florida gambling games have contributed to the development of various environmental projects through taxation, which would otherwise be delayed, or not possible at all.
3. E-sports cadets
Global e-sports made more than $1.7 billion in 2023, and experts project that the US will cross the $1 billion threshold in 2024, taking in the lion’s share of the global industry. Such staggering and incredible growth is impossible without dedicated gamers and a strong gaming culture. More young people are deciding to move to Florida to fulfill their dream of becoming E-athletes. Florida has over 80 gaming studios employing over 16.000 people, and the demand is only growing.
The industry and culture have grown to such an extent that the Florida High School Athletic Association is considering officially creating a professional e-sports program and officially recognizing e-sports as a legitimate form of competition, like other sports are. The prize pools of some e-sport games can reach up to $1 million or more, and the Florida gaming industry is creating gamers who can compete at a global level.
Making games is half of the equation, as someone needs to play them, and living in a state ranked 4th in the US gaming industry guarantees plenty of gamers. As Florida aims to expand its industry, it will capitalize on the young potential within its state, creating e-sport teams like the Miami Heretics.
4. Future growth
Facts and future predictions rarely mix. Facts are concrete and what we can confirm and rely on, while the future is always uncertain. When we look at Lakeland and how they’ve turned their Coleman-Bush center into an e-sports house, we can see changes happening that favor the gaming industry. MidFlorida Esports Center has rooms for gaming, e-sport events, and practicing, but it also expands and shows that video games can do much more.
Inside the center, visitors and participants can find and enroll in various coding classes dedicated to making video games, which can help with enrolling into college programs or job applications. There are also options for data analytics and stem programming, all useful skills to have, which are also usable in gaming. The local college in Lakeland, Florida Southern College, offers scholarships for e-sports gamers. And in the same city, its other college, the Florida Polytechnic University, is doing great, with five prize e-sport teams.
Interactions like these will ensure the health and growth of the industry, as the future rests on young shoulders, and Florida will continue to produce quality gamers and game makers. Such centers and universities are vital for the growth of any industry, but Florida is an example of how to fill the needs from both sides of the coin.