Modern Warfare 3: Entertainment Industry Dominated
It’s an interesting place that gaming finds itself in these days. The entertainment industry at large respects gaming to a certain extent. That extent is in dollars and impact. Not overall perception. Really doesn’t matter if everyone and their mother is a gamer on some level. If you have a mobile phone, or tablet. Chances are you playing something. Â At the same time the sub-culture of gaming has embraced the fact that they are not of the ilk that other entertainment medium audiences are. So why try to fit in. Except that’s not totally true. It’s this disconnect that even with the success that gaming has had, for every step it takes it seems five more must be made. Well the sales of Modern Warfare 3, it’s domination in execution, and player participation have solidified that gaming’s reach is bigger than perception.
 
In 17 days James Cameroon’s “Avatar” movie made a billion dollars in box of receipts. Pushing the boundaries of movie making, and technology at a time when it’s business model along with other entertainment vehicles were/are in flux. The movie gave a shot to an industry that has a pedigree, and lineage you would die for. Modern Warfare 3 by Activision/Sledge Hammer/ ultimately created by Infinity Ward. It took 16 days to do the same thing for gaming. In five days it made $775 million dollars. With gamer’s logging in over 7 million man hours of play online. Mind you this is not the first major game to do wonders on a level like this in fact. In 2011 alone there are other gaming properties that are pushing our industry forward while other entertainment industry areas are in a state of flux that threatens their very existence. Gaming is soaring. The undercurrent of snickering may happen, but those who are, know that gaming is a beast.  In fact every entity possible is trying to align themselves with gaming in any fashion they can. You see some of the ridiculousness in these marketplaces, and shelves. Don’t sweat it though, games like Modern Warfare 3 are the cream that makes gaming rise. It’ll be sites like this one that will put a face on gaming that will only nurture what our industry stands for. Salute MW3 you are the crown jewel of gaming today.
The Billion Dollar Man
I didn’t need Forbes to tell me that Gabe Newell was worth over a Billion. In fact I assumed this to be true just by the progression of his company Valve, and their contribution to gaming. Forbes apparently went the long route to confirm the Billion dollar man’s existence by excavating the remains of “video game industry insiders, equity analysts, investment bankers, and technology analysts”. Valve Corporation is worth $3 billion dollars. You have to figure since the creation of Steam the valuation may be off a bit. Since the company makes a mint with it’s Steam service, licensing it’s engines, and it’s own proprietary IP Mr. Newells 50 percent stake could be worth more than a ‘billy’. Game Informer sites figures that estimate “ 70 percent of the downloadable market and features in excess of 1,800 games from more than 50 publishers” is controlled by Steam. Nonetheless outside of estimation’s of Gabe’s wealth places him 854 out of 1,226 billionaires around the world on Forbes list. Placing him among the worlds richest. Yet, he still gets hate,and many times ass hat ridicule from gamer’s. How? Why? Who are they? and When do they leave? The man brought us “Left For Dead” for crying out loud, and some little known game called “Half Life”. In any event, it’s good to see someone who’s dedication, and passion are rewarded. It’s not uncommon in the tech industry over the past decade and half for us to see this. Just that a man like Gabe Newell accomplished such a feet is a great thing to see in a lifetime. I’m inspired.