Why Video Games?

Video Game Industry Size

While libraries are knowng for books, the video game industry has grown by leaps and bounds. However, despite the growth of the video game industry, many libraries do not have video games in the library for patrons to take home. With that in mind, lets compare video games to other industries that are availiable in the library.

The video game industry is worth roughtly $65.5 billion based on statistics from 2020 (1). The movie and video production industry is worth approximately $33.8 billion (2). The publishing industry is worth $26.4 billion (3). The major lable music industry is worth $9.4 billion (4). Video games are nearly worth as much as the publishing industry, movie industry, and music indsutry combined.

Impact of Games

Video games can have both positive and negative effects on development depnding on genre, with first-person shooting games having a deterimental impact and platforming videos had a positive impact (5).

Video games can improve spatial awareness (6) and that can lead to success in STEM fields (7).

(1)

https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/video-games-united-states/

(2)

https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/movie-video-production-united-states/

(3)

https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/book-publishing-united-states/

(4)

https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/major-label-music-production-united-states/

(5)

https://www.nature.com/articles/mp2017155?fbclid=IwAR2oJW9ZVi5QStdEbH5fAc3OeeltmtLBpUuxXeku45cjNET8XFm16EWL6ug

(6)

https://groups.psych.northwestern.edu/uttal/vittae/documents/ContentServer.pdf

(7)

https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/documents/STEM/WaiLubinskiBenbowSteiger_JEP_2010_STEMDose.pdf

Animal Crossing: New Horizon

About the Game

Animal Crossing: New Horizon is a new installment in the Animal Crossing seriers. In Anmimal Crossing, users are tasked with exploring a deserted island and calling it their own. Users interact with animals, catch bugs, dig for fossils, fish, garden, swim, and generally customize their island. As users build up their island, they are given the option to have various non-playable characters (NPCs) move-in to the island. Players can also visit the island of other players.

Rating Warning

comic mischief

in-game purcahses

Related Material

Animal Crossing New Horizons Official Activity Book by Nintendo

Bob by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

Coo by Kaela Noel

Check, Please! 2: Sticks and Scones by Ngozi Ukazu

Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

My Life In Plants: Flowers I’ve Loved, Herbs I’ve Grown and Houseplants I’ve Killed Along the Way by Katie Vaz

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy

The Tea Dragon Tapestry by Katie O’Neill

Book recommendations by:

https://www.theyoungfolks.com/books/147589/books-for-animal-crossing-fans/

Programming

As Nintendo has an official Animal Crossing coloring book, libraries can hold coloring events where children color from books.

Libraries can build an island in-game and decorate it in a way that represents their library. However, Nintendo policies do prohibit groups from creating materials that encourage people to go outside of the game. For example, libraries are not able to promote other library services or giveaways unless approved by Nintendo.

God of War

About the Game

Related Material

Programming

Forza Horizon 4

About the Game

Related Material

Programming