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Older gamers say the industry doesn't design with them in mind

Jul 6, 2023
A quarter of video gamers in the U.S. are over 50, according to the AARP.
Some gaming companies think the 50 and up age group is only interested in brain health games, but narrative games are actually quite popular with older adults, according to one researcher.
David McNew/Getty Images

This video game teaches players about gentrification

Jul 3, 2023
At the Oakland-based nonprofit Gameheads, people go from playing video games to making them, drawing from lived experience.
From left to right, Rogelio Lara, co-creator of the "Here's Your Change" video game, chats with "Marketplace Morning Report" host David Brancaccio.
Kelly Silvera/Marketplace

As recreation makes a comeback, a local arcade celebrates surviving the pandemic

May 15, 2023
"You go out there right now in our store and there's a community," said Jamie York, owner of Game Underground.
Jamie York says Game Underground was quiet during the pandemic — but quiet isn't good in his business.
Sarah Leeson/Marketplace

A UK regulator has blocked the Microsoft-Activision merger. But don't blame it on Brexit.

Apr 26, 2023
Some experts say the decision is rooted in the U.K.'s efforts to develop its own tech industry.
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority said a merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard would hamper innovation and reduce choice for gamers.
Belinda Jiao/Getty Images

At the Federal Games Guild, video games and public policy play together

Feb 14, 2023
Want to balance the federal budget? A video game lets you do it. Elizabeth Newbury of the Federal Games Guild and Wilson Center explains.
"You're not going to get the same thing from reading a 25-page policy brief as you'll get from a game, but more people — I bet — will play my game," the FGG's Elizabeth Newbury says.
Courtesy Department of Education

Why more new video games now cost $70

Feb 10, 2023
Nintendo announced that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will retail for $69.99. Several video game publishers have been embracing the $70 price tag as the new standard for major releases.
Nintendo announced that it would price its highly-anticipated "Tears of the Kingdom" game at $70, a $10 increase from standard prices for new video games.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Nintendo of America

Video game industry's growth could drop a level or two

Jul 11, 2022
However, the slowdown in growth could also lead to a friendlier supply chain.
The video game industry experienced a boom during the pandemic.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Here's why Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard

Jan 18, 2022
Microsoft plans to spend nearly $70 billion for the video game maker, whose problematic workplace culture will present challenges.
Though Microsoft may be challenged to fix Activision’s workplace culture, the deal will give the software company more weight in the video game industry.
Rich Polk/Getty Images for Activision

Looking for a gift for the video gamer in your family? Good luck.

Dec 9, 2021
There's a gaming console shortage thanks to the computer chip shortage and high pandemic demand.
The video game industry experienced a boom during the pandemic.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

This video game company wants to make the industry safer for marginalized people

Sep 27, 2021
Kim Belair co-founded Sweet Baby Inc. to create a safe place in the game industry. Can the values behind the company scale up?
An image from Sable, a recently released game developed by Shedworks and written by Sweet Baby Inc. co-founders David Bedard and Kim Belair.
Courtesy Shedworks