Opposable Thumbs / Gaming & Entertainment

The family that games together, stays together

Majority of gaming parents claim that it brings their family together, survey …

Finally, a study that doesn’t try to convince the world that video games turn people into gun-toting rejects. reports via a survey that roughly 35% of parents with children between the ages of 2 and 17 are video gamers. That’s quite an eye opening figure IMHO, and it certainly indicates that the gaming industry is offering a legitimate form of entertainment to the adult crowd. Furthermore, a whopping 80% of those parents play games with their children, and over two-thirds claim that gaming brings their family together.

I know that surveys like this sometimes run the risk of providing wonky results, but it’s nice to see a study that actually supports the notion that games can have a positive impact on families. I’m a gamer parent, and I’ve always thought that video games (with the proper content, of course) are a much more stimulating alternative to television. From my experience, games generally make you use your noggin to a greater degree, and multiplayer games often promote a better social experience than television. I know I would much rather help my son learn to read and count while playing V-Smile than see him sit and watch Dora the Explorer reruns.

What is also often taken for granted is that this is a form of entertainment that parents can share with their children while actually having a decent time themselves. It can sometimes be difficult for parents to get excited about their children’s tv shows, but games like Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda have a universal appeal that can really make family gaming a joy for everyone.

I think that we’d see a lot more in the vein of this survey if the media would actually show interest in printing it. It’s horrible how GTA has twisted the public perception of our beloved hobby, isn’t it?

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