Can video games transform Scioto County back into a production powerhouse? Instead of steel, shoes, stoves, and other goods, can producing content for video games revive our area’s economy to the heyday of the 1940s and 50s?
Shawnee State University already boasts a nationally recognized video game program that’s been named the best value in the country for pursuing higher education in the field. The global video game market is already $217.06 billion and is expected to grow at about 14% a year as the kids who played games age up and choose it as their primary form of entertainment. Gaming outpaces their spending on movies, streaming, sporting activities, and other forms of entertainment.
Shawnee State University Hosts the premier academic conference on the topic every fall. This year’s keynote speaker is John Zuur Platten, a pioneering designer in the industry and the author of the Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design.
A question for local leaders is how they can encourage the bright young individuals who want to forge a career in the industry to do it here. In this connected world, people can work anywhere. Why shouldn’t the hottest video game startups be housed in a renovated office on Chillicothe or Market Street?
Why not encourage young professionals to renovate deteriorating houses or buy property from our landbank?
While the growing number of recreational opportunities that highlight our area’s unmatched natural beauty is a great start at attracting the people who could reenergize our economy, more needs to be done to take advantage of this opportunity.