There is no better way to acknowledge National Video Game Day on July 8 than by rescuing your cherished console and relishing the joy of playing your beloved childhood video games. It can ignite a deep sense of longing and nostalgia from your youth.
So at BetMichigan.com, where you can find the best Michigan casino bonuses, we decided to measure which video games are at the top of the list for folks in Michigan.
National Video Game Day brings global gaming and digital entertainment enthusiasts together to honor video games, their technological innovation and their impact in pop culture. All of these factors have helped to propel the gaming industry into a powerful force in today’s technology-driven world.
Groundbreaking video games and series like The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros, Tecmo Super Bowl and Final Fantasy have served as pioneers. They and many others transformed the video game landscape and ushered in a new era of advanced graphics, captivating storytelling and, most important, multiplayer functionality. This last factor facilitates player interaction and connections inside the virtual world. As the leaders of the industry, they have shaped the way we experience and enjoy video games.
Michigan residents have preferences that vary significantly. From FPS (first-person shooter), RPG (role-playing game), and RTS (real-time sport) video games, which exactly do Michigan gamers prefer when they’re not using other technology?
BetMichigan used Google Trends to determine the most searched video game franchises by each state, using Statista’s data on the Top 10 most-sold video game franchises in 2022. After completing the trends over a period of 12 months (June 27, 2022, to June 27, 2023), we found results to get the top five video game franchises in Michigan.
Minecraft reigns as Michigan’s top choice. The best-selling video game of all time leads with a 52% search interest compared to other topics in a 12-month span. That leads the state’s second choice, Pokemon, by 9%.
Developed by the Swedish Mojang Studios in 2011, the open-world fantasy game of Minecraft has recorded 238 million global units sold, ahead of Grand Theft Auto V and Tetris. The game’s combination of an open world and the ability to craft your personal world empowers players to build their own virtual realms with the freedom of creative expression. The game is also suitable for all ages.
Coming in second is the Pokemon video game series, accompanied by its highly successful animated show, with an impressive franchise total of 480 million copies sold. Published by Nintendo, the video game was immensely popular with the Gameboy console, releasing classic titles like Pokemon Red and Blue, Pokemon Yellow, and Pokemon Emerald. The game is also rated E for everyone.
Tied for third on our list are The Sims and the Grand Theft Auto franchises.
The Sims, developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, has sold nearly 200 million copies as a franchise. Described as a social simulation game, the platform lets users interact with other gamers while pursuing career and relationship aspirations through their virtualized character.
Grand Theft Auto, better known as GTA, is developed and published through Rockstar Games; it has sold more than 400 million copies worldwide. Their latest release in 2013, GTA V, is the second highest-selling game of all time. Pretty impressive for a video game that is labeled as an adult action game and requires the user to be at least 18 years old.
In fifth place is the Call of Duty franchise. This series has revolutionized first-person shooting games with iconic titles such as Modern Warfare, Black Ops, and Warzone. Developed by various studios like Treyarch, Activision, and Infinity Ward, Call of Duty has sold 300 million-plus copies worldwide. Interestingly, Call of Duty is the most profitable video game franchise of all time, generating $30 billion in two decades.
Other games in the data that just missed the top five include Tetris, Super Mario, LEGO, FIFA, and Final Fantasy.
There is more than one way to entertain yourself and/or friends with modern technology, because in addition to video games, folks in the Great Lakes State can also access top online casino Michigan options for real money wagering.
Author
Joss has over a decade of experience in the US online gambling market. His analysis and writing cover every aspect of the business. After a career as an Army officer, he spent time in business, then took up online poker. Joss lives in Peru with his family. Joss is globally considered one of the leading voices in the gambling industry, especially North American sports betting.
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