Discover the remarkable transformation of cities into business hubs with an entrepreneurial spirit. In this article, we focus on Utah, where the video game industry has soared, bringing in billions in revenue and attracting top talent. Join us on this journey through the gaming epicenter of Salt Lake City.

Uncover Utah's Gaming Success Story

Utah's Video Game Industry: A Decade of Growth

Utah's video game industry has witnessed an astonishing surge over the past decade, with a remarkable 230% increase. Last year alone, it brought in more than $2.3 billion in revenue, firmly establishing itself as a major force in the gaming world. This growth shows no signs of slowing down, as market research firm IBISWorld predicts it will reach an impressive $4.5 billion in economic contribution within just five years.The University of Utah plays a pivotal role in this success. Its top-ranked video game program supplies industry-ready graduates, fueling local growth and innovation. Graduates from the University have gone on to create top-grossing games like "Hogwarts Legacy" and "Fortnite," strengthening Utah's reputation as a gaming hub through strong ties with local studios.

The University of Utah: A Gaming Education Pioneer

Before it became a formalized program, the University of Utah's gaming initiative started modestly within the computer science department. In 2008, a group of students proposed a dedicated gaming area of study, which gained traction. By 2010, the entertainment arts and engineering program (EAE) was established with a structured curriculum focused on gaming and interactive entertainment. In 2017, the EAE program launched a bachelor's degree in gaming, marking a significant milestone. Today, it is the university's 10th-largest major, attracting around 1,200 undergraduates each year. The demand for gaming education at the University has skyrocketed, and it has committed $25 million to support further expansion. In the Princeton Review's 2024 rankings for top game design schools, the University of Utah rose to No. 4 for both undergraduate and graduate programs.The university boasts a legacy of industry luminaries such as Doug Bowser (president of Nintendo of America), Nolan Bushnell (founder of Atari and creator of "Pong"), and many more. Alumni of the school have gone on to create games generating more than $2 billion in lifetime revenue.

Top-Grossing Games and Their Utah Connections

John Blackburn, vice president and studio head at Avalanche Software and a University of Utah alumnus, credits the success of "Hogwarts Legacy" to the talented team in Salt Lake City. The game surpassed $1 billion in revenue last year, and Blackburn claims there are at least 30 people directly from the University's gaming program on the team.The University of Utah's contributions to the gaming industry extend back to pioneering work in 3-D graphics. They created the first 3-D graphics image and developed early flight simulators through companies like Evans & Sutherland. This has bled into the local games scene, with many graduates going on to form their own game companies.Epic Games, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, launched "Fortnite" in 2017, becoming one of the world's most popular games with more than 500 million registered users. Teams from around the world contributed to its creation, including some in Salt Lake City where Donald Mustard, former chief creative officer at Epic and the game's co-creator, was based. He highlighted Utah's unique approach to education, where students have to make their own video game while in school, giving them a unique skill set.