Families turn their backs on violent video games (Article)

Interesting Article I read the other day,
thought i'd share it, take a look guys and judge for yourself.

Taken From: http://www.news.com.au/

* Third of video games sold "family-friendly"
* Music, dance and party games popular
* More than $2bn to be spent this year



FAMILIES are turning their backs on violent video games in record numbers.

Almost one in three video games sold - in what's turning out to be another record year for games - is family-friendly.

For every fighting game sold, seven family-friendly titles are being snapped up, the Herald Sun reports.

In 2006 family games rated third with a 13 per cent share of the market, a long way behind sports with 24 per cent, shooter and fighting games at 15 per cent and action at 17 per cent.

The trend to buy music and dance games, party games and puzzle games could be a reaction against street violence and global terrorism, psychologist Dr Janet Hall said.

"Families are being responsible and guiding their children towards more social games, although boys still tend to want to get in there and act out all sorts of violent and hostile reactions to some types of games."

Australians have snapped up a staggering $840 million worth of games in the past six months.

The figure is on track to eclipse the $2 billion Aussies splashed on video games last year, industry sources said.

Family or social games accounted for 28 per cent of all titles, a long way ahead of the 16 per cent racked up by sport and racing - the next most popular category.

Action games came third in the video gaming sales stakes with 15 per cent, adventure games followed with a 10 per cent share.

Shooting games were way down the list, accounting for just 9 per cent.

Fighting titles were on the ropes, snaring a meagre 4 per cent.

The latest figures support research this year by Bond University showing 70 per cent of parents in game households play computer and video games, with 80 per cent of those parents sharing the console or PC with their kids.

Video games now account for 40 per cent more revenue than DVD and Blu-ray movies.

"More families are playing games together and we're seeing a huge rise in the number of social games played," said CEO of the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia, Ron Curry.