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Business Daily: The Computer Games Industry

A girl plays a computer game, Credit: Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

24/12/2013

The Computer Games Industry

BBC World Service - Business Daily, The Computer Games Industry

Why is it difficult to make a profit in a multi-billion-dollar industry?

The computer gaming industry is worth over $70 billion worldwide, yet it can be surprisingly difficult for games developers to make a profit from their fans.

Grand Theft Auto, Moshi Monsters, Football Manager and Candy Crush have all contributed to the multi-billion-dollar worldwide earnings of the computer gaming industry. Yet, as Ed Butler finds out, many games developers have to come up with slightly sneaky ways of charging money if they want to make a profit.

He asks the people behind Moshi Monsters and Football Manager why their games have proved such a runaway success, and whether they are simply exploiting the addictiveness of their products. He also hears from two "Ladygeeks" about why more female representation in the industry could deliver bigger profits.

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