NGUYEN: A lot of people are just choosing to stay home, rather than get out in this recession. And many are staying glued to their video game consoles. That's decent news for video game companies. Here's CNN's Eunice Yoon in Hong Kong.</s>EUNICE YOON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): How well do video games sell in a recession? The theory is, that games fly off the shelves, even in a tough economy. Because spending money to play a game like this for a week at home costs a whole lot less than a holiday vacation. And here at the Seventh Annual Asia Game Show in Hong Kong, there are a lot of people seem to believe that video gaming is recession resistance.</s>ALEX YAU, DIRECTOR, LAGFREESERVER.COM (through translator): People spend less on outside entertainment and they will stay home and play more online games. So actually, online gaming market is getting bigger.</s>YOON: Gamers have been flocking to this trade show to get their hands on limited edition video and online computer games. Most of the hundreds of thousands of people here are teenagers and young men. Gaming companies say these people help add another layer of recession proofing to the industry. Not only are they big spenders, they view gaming as an important part of their lives.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Games, I guess, is independent from like normal savings. I mean, I can cut back on clothes and stuff. Basically, we see, we like, we buy. It's basically how most people buy games.</s>YOON: But, there are signs of the tough economic times here. Exhibitors are offering massive discounts to ensure greater sales this holiday season. Some video game makers have started laying off workers, too. So, if the buzz here is anything to go by, the gaming industry is thriving. The question is, will the excitement carry on into 2009? Eunice Yoon, CNN, Hong Kong.</s>NGUYEN: And the NEWSROOM does continue right here with my good friend, T.J. Holmes.
Video Games Gain Popularity During the Recession