Bobby Kotick Defends Gaming Amid Unemployment Increases

10 Comments Posted November 11, 2009 - By Jake Gaskill

It’s all too obvious that times are tough right now, and people’s personal budgets are far from what they once were. Unemployment is rising, and layoffs and cutbacks continue to affect every industry and sector of the workforce. Activision head Bobby Kotick spoke with Fox Business about this very topic last week, Kotaku reports, saying:

“I think that it's one of the profound challenges we face in our economy today and our country today. I think it is likely to affect every business. One of the nice things about video games is that it does give you the opportunity to escape from some of the difficulties in the day-to-day — in your day-to-day lives as you start to think about those challenges.”

For the famously controversial Kotick, this is a surprisingly levelheaded and reasonable position. Most of all though, it's true. Remember, this is exactly the kind of situation that helped the film industry thrive during the 1930s; in tough times, people turn to their entertainment medium of choice to get away for a little bit. Nothing surprising or original there.

One of the main reasons gaming is such a draw for so many people these days is that, like Kotick points out, “Whether it's DJ Hero or Guitar Hero or Band Hero or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, these are all products that give you hundreds and hundreds of hours of entertainment for good value.”

This isn’t to say that there aren’t plenty of people who simply can’t afford to part with even the "smallest" bit of cash. In fact, one of our readers commented on a Modern Warfare 2 post just yesterday that he won't be purchasing Infinity Ward's latest shooter for quite some time because he was recently laid off. Of course, that doesn’t mean a rental is out of the picture, but you get the idea.

How have these rough economic times affected your gaming purchases? Do you find yourself renting more as opposed to buying?

Source: Kotaku

Tags: Videogames

Comments

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Completist

Why is it that G4 shows a picture of Bobby Kotick, I get this incredible urge to find where he lives and punch him square in the mouth?

Posted: November 11, 2009 10:17 AM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
left_4_bread

Discount the games, duh.

Posted: November 11, 2009 10:19 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
BONERJAM

Please G4 stop posting pics of Kotick especially when they are that close to his fugly face.

Posted: November 11, 2009 10:46 AM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
sunrisepromo

I can't remember the last game I bought. I'm perfectly happy with renting from Gamefly. Considering I rarely play a game more than once, it seems to be more economical for me than dishing out $50-$60 per game.

Posted: November 11, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Yatzee1000

Maybe if they wanted to defend gaming during high unemployment they shouldn't have had the guy with the reputation as a greedy basterd do it.

He brings to mind the fat trust guys from the gilded age with their top hats and their monocles and their strike breakers

Posted: November 11, 2009 12:44 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
bolo73

We cut or entertainment funds down a lot this year. I think we will buy maybe 4 games for Christmas. Maybe 1 will be just released the other will be reduce in price or used. Last year we got 8 games. 4 new release the other reduced price or used.

Posted: November 11, 2009 1:01 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
SauceDP43

I started donating plasma to fund my gaming needs.

Posted: November 11, 2009 1:14 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Wozman23

I've got a bounty out. The first person to bring me Kotick's head gets $1,000,000 and a $20 giftcard to Pizza Hut. Just think of how many games you could buy...

(Disclaimer: This is merely a joke. Please don't arrest me police.)

Posted: November 11, 2009 1:57 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
BlackStarNova

The only time I actually do buy a game in these times is when i'm really looking forward to it. I decided to skip out on MW2 in exchange for Assassin's Creed 2 next week.

Posted: November 11, 2009 3:53 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
jellokatamari

I don't rent, I just wait. I keep myself busy with the games I have and haven't played or finished and wait for a price drop in stores, or some 30%+ sale on Steam or something... Of course don't get me wrong it drives me nuts for some games that I really want now that I don't have the money to buy it right away.

Posted: November 11, 2009 9:45 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies