Family Games: How Video Games Can Bring Families Together (NAPSA)—Oncethe bastion of teens and tweens, video games have come a long way since the days of Pong and Space Invaders. The multi-billion dollar video game industry has learned to tap into the next segment of video game players: the whole family. As companies try to find more value in sustainable products that have a longershelf life than just the latest fad, family-oriented games are striking a cord with youngsters and parents everywhere. Companies are noticing. Microsoft, for one, is ushering in a new era of games that the entire family can enjoy and encourages parents to take on a newrole with children: that of co-gamer. Kids these days are spending more time playing video games than ever before, and gaming is fast becoming the interactive entertainment of choice for kids. Just as radio, TV and movies used A family fun night of video games designed with both parents and children in mind is an increasingly popular idea in America these days. Product Manager for Microsoft GameStudios. “It’s no longer about a child sitting in the basement playing a gameby him orherself— but instead the right games are a way for parents and kids to con- nect by spending quality time together.” The recent upswing in family gaming goes beyond the living to bring families together, video room and has entered the retail tal entertainment in the living room. The right type of games reveals that parents are present at gamesare nowa focal pointof digi- makefor a terrific way for parents to engage with their kids in a fun and constructive way. The companyis tapping into this market with the Xbox game Grabbed by the Ghoulies, a humorous beat-’em-up action-adventure gamethat contains a crazy cast of monsters and varying degrees of humorand challenges. It has also released the latest edition to the best-selling PC franchise Zoo Tycoon, which has been a family hit for the past two years. Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection, a compilation of the original game and two expansion packs, appeals to kids and older membersof the family. “We're really seeing a genuine demand for games that can be played together by membersof the entire family,” says Chuck Frizelle, space. Recent data from the Entertainment Software Association point-of-sale 89 percent of the time someone undertheage of 18 is buying a game, suggesting that parents are playing a large role in the purchasing decisions being made. “In the past, we noticed that kids would come in and just buy whatever they wanted,” says WayneYodzio, vice president, Toys R’'Us. “Now we’re noticing that more and more parents come in with their kids, ask questions and makea joint decision on what to buy.” Try this for yourself: the next time your child wants to play a video game, ask if you can watch or play along. You might just be sur- prised at how ready they are to introduce their parents to the world of video games—and how much fun you’ll all have in the process.
