Video games are doing more than just giving kids hand cramps and blurry vision.
Colorado’s computer- and video-game industry grew 24.1 percent in 2006, nearly five times the 4.9 percent growth of the state’s gross domestic product during the same period, according to a study released Tuesday by the Entertainment Software Association.
Computer- and video-game companies in Colorado added $62.9 million to the state’s economy last year, up from $50.7 million in 2005, the study shows. Nine companies in the industry have offices in the state, including Evil Genius Games in Boulder and Sony Online Entertainment in Denver.
Together the companies represent 284 direct jobs and 667 indirect jobs. The average annual salary for a direct employee in the industry in 2006 was $86,248.
“Colorado’s computer- and video-game companies play an ever increasing role in the state’s growing economy,” association chief executive Michael Gallagher said in a statement.
