The average age of game players has risen to 35 and 40% of gamers are women according to a new survey by the video game industry’s trade group, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).

Among the survey’s main findings:

* 65% of American households play computer and video games
* 38% of American homes have a video game console
* The average game player is 35 years old
* 26% of gamers are over the age of 50
* Women age 18 or older represent a significantly greater portion of the game-playing population (33%) than boys age 17 or younger (18%)
* 41% of Americans expect to purchase one or more games this year.

Parents are also influencing the way their children, rent, buy and play the games:

* 94% of parents are present when games are purchased or rented
* 88% of parents report always or sometimes monitoring the games their children play
* 63% of parents believe games are a positive part of their children’s lives.

This research highlights that video games are now an important and popular form of entertainment which is appreciated by every section of US society.

The top selling video game of 2007 in the US was Halo 3 and the top selling computer game of 2007 in the US was World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade. ( Statistics provided by The NPD Group)

The complete 2008 Essential Facts booklet is available online at:

http://www.theESA.com