Interesting video game industry facts

Video game industry is currently one of the fast growing industries in the world.

So, let’s look to some of the mind-blowing facts about the US market in 2013:

. 59% of Americans play video games.
. Americans spent $21,3 billion on videogames, hardware and accessories.
. The average gamer is 31 years old and has being playing games for 14 years.
. The average age of the most frequent game purchaser is 35 years old.
. 48% of the gamers are women.
. 44% of the gamers play on their smartphone.



Source - ESA Entertainment Software Association

Top 10 box office movies of 2013

Today is the Oscars night, so check out also the top 10 most successful movies of 2013 in the USA, regarding their box office revenue:

1st - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2nd - Iron Man 3
3rd - Frozen
4th - Despicable Me 2
5th - Man of Steel
6th - Gravity
7th - Monsters University
8th - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
9th - Fast & Furious 6
10th - Oz The Great and Powerful

Font: boxofficemojo.com

Top 20 Most Valuable Global Brands of 2013

More info about BrandZ ranking here.

World Travel Awards for Europe - 2013

This weekend, World Travel Awards presented the 2013 prizes for Europe.
You can find below the winners of the most important prizes of this year:

Best European destination of the year - Yorkshire, England
Best European airline - Lufthansa
Best European low-cost airline - Easy Jet
Best European luxury train - Orient Express
Best European cruise operator - Norwegian
Best European hotel - Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey
Best European boutique resort– Vila Joya, Portugal
Best European luxury resort – Conrad, Portugal
Best European design hotel – The Vine, Portugal
Best European golf destination – Portugal
Best European beach destination – Algarve, Portugal
Best European rent-a-car operator - Europcar

Check out all prizes in: www.worldtravelawards.com

Portugal +1,1% vs. Eurozone +0,3%

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Portugal expanded 1,1% in the second quarter of 2013 over the previous quarter.

This value was much higher than the Eurozone average (0,3%) and impressive when compared with another countries of the Eurozone:

Germany: +0,7%
Greece: -4,6%
Netherlands: -0,2%
Ireland: -0,6%
Spain: -0,1%
France: +0,5%
Italy: -0,2%

So, although it's too soon to claim that Portugal GDP is back on track, it's great news for Portugal.
 

Japan Debt reached 200% of their annual GDP

On June 30th of 2013, Japan Debt reached Yen 1.000 trillion (around USD $ 10,46 trillion).

This impressive value is now larger than the economies of Germany, France and the U.K. combined.

Analysts are apprehensive with current Japan trend and are expected new taxes from Japan government to balance Japan deficit.

To understand how serious is this 200% value (public debt as % of GDP of Japan) compare it with south of Europe countries and Ireland which are under great pressure from IMF and rating agencies:

. Greece – 158% (2012)
. Italy – 126% (2012)
. Ireland – 118% (2012)
. Portugal – 115% (2012)
. Spain – 85% (2012)

The most successful viral commercial ad ever

This Dove ad had more than 55 million views in 3 months.

 

Top 10 Super Bowl Ads of 2013

Check the best Super Bowl ads of 2013