The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) recently an updated its "Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry" report, a detailed study of game sales statistic, consumer demographics and usage data for the computer and video game industry. Revealing and informative, the report notes that seventy-five percent of American heads of households are game players; that women over the age of 18 represent a greater portion of the game-playing population than boys from ages 6 to 17; the average age of a game player is 30 while the average age of a game buyer is 37. It reports that the industry sold 248 million game units in 2004 (that's almost two games for every household in the country), equating to eight games sold every second of every day in 2004. Thirty-two percent of parents play games with their children weekly while 63% of parents believe games are a positive part of their children's lives. Tellingly, it states that gamers are not the apathetic or anti-social slouches of stereotype; they devote about 23.4 hours per week to exercising or playing sports, volunteering in the community, religious activities, creative endeavors, cultural activities, and reading compared to the 6.8 hours per week playing games. A full copy of the study can be viewed at www.theesa.com.
 
 

It's true: Quality kids games are hard to find. Sure, there's lots out there, but few that are both good and genuinely kid-friendly. Fortunately, GamersGate online games portal has an entire section dedicated to quality family fare. Go ahead, check it out!