The Difference of Treatment Between Employees in the Video Game Industry and the Movie Industry

The video game industry is a giant in the US marketplace. The average gross of game sales per year from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 (the most recent verifiable sales data point available) was $16,980,000,000. To put that number into perspective, during the same time period, the average annual US Box office results were $10,534,941,730 (or $10,628,724,751 if you include the record breaking 2015 box office results).   So with an industry that is about 1/3rd economically larger, one would likely assume that the pay, glamor, benefits and treatment would be at least on par with the film industry. It is not. Video game developers/programmers/producers are known for having to deal with harsh working conditions in which they are expected to work 12+ hour days for months at a time with little to no contact with the outside world.

What do these employees get for all of their hard work? Well, on average they get about $95,000 (this includes all monies and benefit values paid and given to the employees) and told to deal with it. This is in stark comparison to the movie industry which oftentimes have the same long hours, but have much better treatment and benefits.

The reason for this is complex but will be explored in a series of blog posts discussing the working conditions in the video game industry, why they are what they are, and what proactive steps could be taken to help resolve the serious problem.