GNews

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has released their findings today for some research into "why people play video games and what impact they think playing games has on them."
As you can already guess this is one of those bits of research that pretty much "discovers" what a lot of people already knew. Here are some of their oh so obvious findings:

there is a sharp divide between male and female games players in their taste in games and how long they spend playing;

Wow... really, wow.

male players favour first ‘person shooter’ and sports games and are much more likely to become deeply absorbed in the play;

I disagree with this one. My Barbie collection of games is still my favorite!
More...

younger games players are influenced to play particular games by peer pressure and word of mouth, but negative press coverage for a game will significantly increase its take up;

If music history has taught us anything it's that fighting releases on the grounds that they are a 'bad influence' makes them at least 100x more influential. This is the same for games.

people play games to escape from every day life and to escape to a world of adventure without risk which is under the control of the gamer, unlike the real world;

Balderdash! My life is full of so much adventure and excitement I pretty much see Counterstrike Source servers as holiday resorts!

while parents agree that there should be regulation of games some are happy to give their children adult games because they are “only games”.

Which we also knew because many people know of parents who leave their kids in a room by themselves, with a TV, a PS2, and a few GTA games. All they need now is some pr0n and tequila... which they prolly already have.

If you're interested in the full thing visit the BBFC website. I joke, but I'm sure this info is genuinely useful to some... teachers.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk

gaming research bbfc

Labels: Research