One week after the release of Rockstar Games’ latest flagship title, GTA:IV, it would seem that consumers have globally proclaimed it is good.
The sales figures are next-level — 500 million dollars spent in the first week, roughly 6 million copies sold, and nearly 310 million spent on the first day. No doubt the estimated production cost of 100 million spent by Rockstar Games was focused in the right direction.
Both the music and film industries should pay a considerable amount of attention to the success that is the billion dollar gaming industry. What music artist or film has pushed those types of figures in the first day or week of sales? Not even Star Wars, or HOVA himself can lay claim to Rockstar’s crown.
Despite the thriving video game industry, the negative social stigma surrounding video games constantly threatens to overshadow its epic success. With nearly 20 billion spent on video games in 2007 — people like myself laying down hard-earned dividends at $60 per/game for their next-generation consoles, why does the stigma continue to exist?
Too violent? A waste of time for adults? Children losing all stamina and social skills due to video games? The list is endless. These types of assertions about video game consumption exist, primarily due to generations who have grown up not having played games.
The most vocal opponents have not experienced the social impact of video games in their early lives. As I was reminded earlier today, the demonization of this type cultural consumption is not new. Why does history continue to repeat itself?
What will be the next big thing, as we continue to age, that we will vilify (as our young-bloods are coming up)? Electric cars only? Regulatory practices prohibiting beef consumption? All video games requiring full body interaction to play? Marinate.
Iron Man did 200mil something and that was news. Dude, movies aren’t dead. They’re ads for the games, not the other way around.
Chris, no, music and film are not dead. I did not try to make that point, either :)
Did Iron Man push 200 million on the day of release? I would have to check, but, I suspect that is for opening weekend. (update: just over 200 million for opening weekend)
Also, was the film industry criticized for the success of Iron Man (or any aspect of the film — ok, fanboys may say something about Ultimate Nick Fury, but, still)?
There is no comparison in this regard. I am not just talking GTA:IV, but, the video game industry as a whole.
And have you seen how LOW kids are wearing their trousers these days?
(I love the design of this blog, BTW)
(Fill in the blank) is dead - definitely don’t see that anywhere in Clarence’s piece.
The economics of GTA, and video games in general, is underreported. I knew these numbers were big, it’s just not every day that you hear about them being that big. That’s a force. You can’t dismiss that because it simply makes you feel uncomfortable…although I assume many do or want to.
“A waste of time for adults.”
Now, I would be willing to take that side in a debate. I let these babies go about four years ago (was a GTA player, with XBOX and PS2 at home) cold turkey, and it’s been a net gain for me in the economics department. I simply do more with my time, but that could say a lot more about me than the video game playing public. In fact, I’m sure of it.
And I certainly have no right to take my mindset and inject it into you.
But if you’re in my vicinity…you might hear about it.
although i’m not much of a gamer, i respect the gangsta that is the GTA series. I’ve enjoyed two of the previous versions and am considering forking over big dough for the consoles that will allow me to play GTA IV. 3.6 mil first day, 6 mil first week—what artist wouldn’t kill for those figures? and at $60 each? wow…keep doing it.
Foomandoonian, ‘preciate you stoppin’ through, bruh (and also for the compliments on the site design). Speakin’ of the denim slung low, it is now illegal for cats to flash their Hanes and baggies (at least it probably is in the ATL now)
Dave, i’m glad that there was a positive increase to your lifestyle hustle by putting video games to the side. Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that at all and think it’s on-point for you to pursue that (and even to encourage others to do so). Certainly, there are many cats out there who could benefit from the same change!
I believe the dismissal of video games as a cultural force would give many a reason to pause. Still, I think it is much more likely that it would be those from the baby boomer generation, rather than our own. I am always surprised, however, when I meet someone that asks, “you still play video games?!?”
Yes. And rock the BMX, read Comics, and watch animated flicks on the regular. All of which have some sort of negative stigma attached to them. ( sarcasm ON — interestingly enough, I still maintain buppy credibility by working at MIT, while being married to a sociology PhD, professor, and author — sarcasm OFF). TRUTH? I know the resume drop on my part is a flagrant foul, but also 100% true!!!
BMX!
I just had major flashbacks to an era that I miss greatly.
Never let yourself be “old.” Bottom line. Keep the smile and the child forever.
Nice post, Clarence.
Some observations. Music and film artists/companies ARE paying attention to the video game industry. Many creative people from all walks are paying attention and all will have to.
Video games are to film what film was to the printed book, that is, an evolution (and upgrade?) of storytelling. Video games take madlibs and choose your own adventure to the next level though. The graphics of high production value film with the flexibility of improv and the ability to COLLABORATE with friends and forge new relationships is THE NEW HOTNESS.
on the criticisms from old folken,
Nothing new here, and this too shall pass. I think there are several factors which will bring adult video gaming into the acceptable mainstream
a) wider variety of games built by a wider variety of game designers. Remember when web design required actual knowledge of code? Now you get a WYSIWYG editor and the tools of web design are cheap/free and accessible. Game design (like word processing, layout and film editing) will become available to the masses.
b) fading out of that older generation.
simple demographics. Few complain about using washing machines versus hand washing, because those folks have moved on
and I should add
c) MONEY. you pointed this out already. it’s already starting. video gaming can’t be that much of a stigma if folks are OPENLY spending hundreds of millions on ONE game in its first week.
video games are the new canvass for music, graphics, collaboration and storytelling. we are just at the beginning.
wait till we get highly distributed game design and development and truly immersive worlds.
we’ll then be talking about “remember when we used to WATCH other people’s stories on a 2D screen? how lame!”