Should we be worried that Video & Board Gaming, Comics, Superhero’s and Halloween are growing into Multi-Billion Dollar Industries? (Part 1)

The video game industry generated appox. $135 billion US globally in 2018 and is forecasted to be worth $300 billion by 2025. The global market value of board games, alternatively known as tabletop games, was nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in 2018 and is estimated to reach a value of $15 billion in 2025. The comic book industry is steadily worth around $1 billion yearly, but over the past decade, superhero movies, most of which are based on superhero comics, have been growing. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, owned by Disney, has grossed $17.5 billion since its 2008 launch, with such franchises as Thor and Captain America. And the DC Extended Universe has grossed $4.8 billion since its 2013 kickoff with “Man of Steel.” Originally started as the Celtic festival known as Samhain, where revelers would light bonfires and wear costumes and masks in the attempt to ward off evil spirits, Halloween has evolved throughout the years to an exciting time for children to dress up as their favorite characters and enjoy parties and trick-or-treating. With the commercialization of Halloween increasing, it has become one of the largest consumer holidays in both the United States and Canada with over $11 billion being spent in 2018. The speaker will elaborate on how and why gaming and comics have evolved to become billion dollar industries. He will also speculate on the social aspect, time commitment and physical recreation values of these activities, including what Halloween means to him and his young family. Speaker: Dylan Purcell Dylan grew up in Picture Butte and attended school there, After high school graduation, he enrolled at Lethbridge College and later at U of L, focusing on furthering his writing skills. He later worked as a journalist in Nanton and eventually became the Lethbridge Herald beloved Sports Editor. In 2016, Dylan stepped away from sports and started working in the comics industry. Moderator: Mary Shillington Date: Thursday, October 31, 2019 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required