Missy Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 Survey: More Parents Playing Video Games By MAY WONG, AP Technology Writer SAN JOSE, Calif. - In a sign that video games are becoming more popular as family entertainment, a national survey released Thursday indicates joysticks aren't just for kids. Thirty-five percent, or about one in three parents, say they play, too, and 80 percent of that segment play video games with their children, according to the new survey commissioned by the Entertainment Software Association, a video game industry group. The average "gamer parent" spends 19 hours a month playing video games, and spends roughly half that time playing alongside kids, the survey found. Two-thirds of the gamer parents said they feel that playing video games has brought their families closer together. Count among them Andrew Bub. "It makes us all laugh at each other," said the Milwaukee stay-at-home father of two. As the founder of GamerDad.com, a Web site with game reviews and a discussion forum for parents, Bub has promoted the idea of video games as a family-bonding tool for years. "Kids are going to play what they want to play, and parents are better off getting involved instead of sitting on the sidelines," he said. Other survey findings: The typical gamer parent is 37, and almost half the group are women. Twenty-seven percent of gamer parents began playing video games around the same time their children started. The survey of 501 parents with children between the ages of 2 and 17 was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates in November 2005. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percent. The Entertainment Software Association, which is challenging various state laws banning the sales of violent video games to minors, noted that about two of every three parents surveyed agreed it is not the role of the government to protect kids from violent games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pablo Molinero Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 Super? I guess the more parents understanding and playing games, the better. As for personal experiences, my mum is an avid PC gamer, and the main reason I even got into games at all. Starting from olde ye point-and-click RPGs like Space Quest and King's Quest, to some like Might and Magic (mmm...) She only plays RPGs, though. Currently, she's hacking her way through Dungoen Siege II. It's kinda irritating, though, when she goes on 3-4 gaming sprees for consecutive days. My dad? He just tolerates them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted January 29, 2006 Report Share Posted January 29, 2006 about two of every three parents surveyed agreed it is not the role of the government to protect kids from violent games. Too bad it's that one in three parents that reaches people more often. I saw a story like this on the news last week and it said video games are letting more parents connect with their kids. Which is always a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 I see this as more of an issue of age. Video game fans are getting older and therefore are becoming parents. When I was a kid I had Sega Entertainment System and my Dad was hooked on Choplifter. The same three levels in a row forever. I don't get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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