Giving the game away

In-Depth

Entertainment software is quietly having a major influence on more serious aspects of our lives, providing applications such as training videos for the Army and healthcare programs for patients.

Several notable technologies that were originally developed for the entertainment software industry are now being used by completely different sectors. Although these technological 'spillovers' are not captured in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers, they represent a significant contribution to the overall economy because increases in productivity caused by advances in entertainment software translate into a higher standard of living in the future.

Technology transfers from entertainment software have allowed advertisers to present a closer representation of the advertised product, leading to more internet-based transactions. For example, estate agencies have embraced video game 3D technology to give buyers virtual tours of houses.

Entertainment software is also a proven training tool for the military. In 2004 the US Army established its own video game studio to develop software to use in training. This software is sometimes released later for consumers as widely distributed entertainment. For example, Full Spectrum Warrior, a realistic game developed for the US Army to simulate combat, has a modified version available to the public.

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