Gosen: Public sees games industry "sandwiched somewhere between corporate bankers and taxmen"

Xbox’s head of European marketing, David Gosen, has told MCV that, in his opinion, the public perception of the games trade isn't exactly the best.

"I still get the sense we’re sandwiched somewhere between corporate bankers and taxmen in terms of society’s general perception. Ask people about what the industry provides, and they’d probably say: 'I don’t really know.' Or they’ll think we just stand for shooter boxes," he said.

"There’s been improvement, but not the quantum leap there should have been. We should be as loved as Hollywood is or the music industry is. Yet we are not. That’s not because people aren’t trying. But there seems to be a barrier of acceptance."

Gosen said he was pleased with the growth of the industry in Europe, and said that currently it boasts a revenue of about $15 billion, "depending on whose research you believe".

"In ’08 the market grew about 30 per cent year on year. That’s truly fantastic. And that growth has been driven by broadening, which is even more outstanding."

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