Video Games Aren’t Just for Kids, Poll Says

By Associated Press

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.

The survey was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates in November 2005.