Gaming is increasing as an activity that parents do more and more with their kids, but interestingly… the average UK gamer isn’t a bedroom-bound teenager but instead a 43yr old gamer.
This month of May sees the launch of the #LetsPlayMay campaign, which with the help of celebrity ambassador Joe Swash aims to promote giving gaming a go this May. A recent survey commissioned as part of the campaign has highlighted some interesting statistics about gaming in the household and how it is almost equal to other forms of entertainment such as going to the movies or having family days out.
Gaming isn’t just an activity for the children of the family anymore, with 70% of adults surveyed claiming gaming is a way for people of all ages, abilities and interests to have fun. Recent research by innovation charity, Nesta, dispelled often-quoted stereotypes of gamers, finding that the average player is 43 and women are more likely to play games than men, although less frequently. The study also identified that someone who games is a greater consumer of culture – such as reading, painting and attending performing arts – than a non-gamer, highlighting gaming as another form of creativity and escapism.
Some of my personal favourite results to come out of the survey was that 44% of mums and dads admitted to swotting up on the latest games, to appear cooler to their children, and also that almost half of the dads questioned (around 46%) loved topping the leaderboards ahead of their children. Definitely have never done that myself… honest.
As part of the UK-wide promotion, 17 console games will be available at selected retailers across the country. The promotion includes the following 17 titles;
- Grand Theft Auto V
- WWE 2K18
- Ghost Recon Wildlands
- Rainbow Six Siege
- Assassins Creed Origins
- Call of Duty WWII
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
- Overwatch Game of the Year Edition
- Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition
- Shadow of the Colossus
- LEGO Ninjago
- LEGO Worlds
- LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
- Middle Earth Shadow of War
- Injustice 2
- Rocket League
- Destiny 2
“It’s all about taking a moment to connect with your family and friends while doing something fun that everyone can get involved in. As a parent, you learn to find a common ground and take an active interest in something your kids enjoy as much as you. I’ve found video gaming was the perfect way to impress my son and complete challenges together, or against each other. What’s better than having a little friendly competition between generations! For me, gaming is a more than just a family activity. When the kids have gone to bed, playing video games helps me relax and escape into another world. My mum recently shocked us all by unveiling she loves gaming, we had no idea, she then went and knocked me off our leaderboard.†says #LetsPlayMay Ambassador Joe Swash
It’s fairly well known now that games, applied with the right structure can be great tools for learning and creativity, with some games (Minecraft) even being used in schools to help children to learn different things, whilst keeping the education fun and interesting. So I guess it’s a good excuse to play more games with your kids.
