Economic chaos hurts gaming

The boss of Aristocrat Leisure says the gaming industry has been affected by the meltdown in global financial markets, says The Sydney Morning Herald.

MD Paul Oneile said no industry was recession-proof, although the gaming sector was not as affected as other industries during an economic downturn.

"The current economic turmoil will have an impact on the gaming industry, no question about that."

The recommendations from a team investigating the effects of gaming and Internet use on children are in, and they're pretty much as expected, says Shiny Shiny.

Byron's recommendations are cautious. They lay stress on educating parents and carers about the risks of gaming and Internet use in such a way that they can pass on the information to their children.

Gaming certification, meanwhile, needs an overhaul. Byron was vocal about the importance of the existing BBFC classification system, but says this now needs to be extended with a standardised, easily understood system.

According to a new research study, gaming is the primary activity driving the online experiences of all kids ages two to 14, with 76% of all kids on the Internet drawn to social and gaming sites, says Gamespy.

The report was commissioned to help industry players understand what's driving moms and kids ages two to 14 to social, gaming and/or entertainment (SGE) Web sites, as well as the perceived benefits of using these Web sites.

The report drills down to the specific behaviours and preferences of kids in each age group, spanning two to 14, and their moms. More than one-quarter (28%) of kids who use SGE sites have purchased either a physical item or digital content from these sites.