The ESA released their annual research report, “Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry” which said that the average gamer in 2012 is 30 years old and 47 percent of game players are female. Furthermore, 49 percent of U.S. households own a dedicated game console, and those that do own an average of two; the average household owns at lease one console, PC or tablet for gaming.

“Computer and video games have reached a critical mass,” said Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA. “Today, nearly every device with a screen plays games, providing interactive entertainment experiences for a wide diverse population… Their (developers and publishers) innovations drive consumer demand for our products, solidifying our industry’s position as one of the strongest and most cutting-edge sectors in the U.S. economy.”

On the parental side of things, an overwhelming 98 percent of parents feel the ESRB rating system is either very or somewhat helpful in choosing games for their children. 66 percent of parents believe game play provides mental stimulation or education and the top reason parents play video games with their kids is because it is fun for the entire family.

“Although it is the newest of all industry content rating and labeling schemes, the video game industry’s system — the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) — is in many ways the most sophisticated, descriptive, and effective ratings system ever devised by any major media sector in America,” said Adam Thierer, senior research fellow at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center.

“What we’re seeing in games is art at a world-class stage design that is almost unmatched anywhere else,” Al Gore, former vice president and co-founder and chairman of Generation Investment Management. “It has been very exciting to me to see so many ideas that integrate social good and efforts to make the world a better place into games.”

Source: TheESA.com