The BBC reports "more than 75% of parents are concerned about the content of video games" - or rather, parents in the UK, France, Italy and Germany. Having looked over these statistics, they seem pretty dodgy to me. For example, in answering the question "how do your children most often play video games?" 63% report that their kids play on their own, whilst only 5% play online. Most likely the online statistic is much higher, and the parents are simply unaware that just because little Jimmy is in his bedroom by himself, it doesn't mean he isn't trash talking on Xbox Live.

Similarly, "more than half of children played games on consoles, 32% on PCs, 9% played games online and 4% played on a mobile phone." How exactly one plays online without using a console, PC or mobile phone, I'm not exactly sure.

Interestingly, only 66% of parents believed they should be the most influential in deciding what games are suitable for their children - presumably leaving at least 9% of parents who are concerned about content, but don't decide which games their children should play.

Basically I think these statistics are pretty flawed due to the respondents not understanding the question - what one parent sees as PC gaming, another will see as online gaming. The default attitude still seems to be buy the kids what they want, without checking out the content first, and then loudly complain if they happen to catch little Jimmy murdering virtual hookers (which I seem to recall is the aim of the Grand Theft Auto series, ages 3 and up, right guys?). Perhaps if more than one in five children played games most often with their family (a statistic more likely to include siblings rather than adults), parents would be less concerned about the content of games because they would be playing them as well.

Game Rankings currently has Super Mario Galaxy listed as the second best game ever with an average score of 97.5%, beaten only by Ocarina of Time by 0.01% more. I just got the game today (thanks to Virgin Megastores for getting it to me a day before release) and I've put about three hours into it so far. On at least two occasions I have giggled like a schoolgirl with sheer glee at just how fun it is. I'm a huge FPS fan and often get my kicks blowing people away with a shotgun (in the game, Mr. Thompson, back down), but nothing puts a smile on my face like a Mario game. So, second best? I'm not sure about that, but it's pretty damn close.

This image has appeared on the Double Fine projects page, right below the recently announced Brütal Legend. Could it be that a sequel to the critically acclaimed but commercially failed game is in the works? To be honest, I'm not so sure that Double Fine has the resources to produce two games at once, so perhaps this is just a rehash of the original game in some form like a re-release or Wii port. If however it is a true sequel, it will be Tim Schafer's first since Monkey Island 2 over 15 years ago. Personally, I would rather have Grim Fandango 2, but the fact is more Schafer = more good.

From the creator of Grim Fandango and Psychonauts, a new game...featuring Jack Black? More on the Double Fine forums. I don't know anything about this game, and yet I still can't wait.

The study seeks to find the effect of violent games on children. I for one welcome this, as perhaps it will lead to ratings being better enforced and games like Manhunt 2 not being banned for fear of finding their way into kiddies hands.

Interestingly enough, Elspa (the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association), report that "only 2% of games released in the UK receive an 18 certificate and the average age of a gamer is 28." I would've thought the proportion of 18 ratings would be higher - I guess this just shows how useless the ESRB's M rating is, and that they need an equivalent to our 15 certificate.

Anyway, I'll be keeping an eye out for the results of this study - even if it will probably conclude games make us all murderers...

These guys have suggested quite a nifty redesign for the Wiimote, for playing games like Metroid:



Now, being a filthy Brit I haven't yet had the good fortune to play Metroid (damn you Nintendo of Europe) but I would still appreciate this new Wiimote. I'm currently playing Resident Evil 4, which is an absolutely amazing game by the way - I've got a cblog brewing that compares it to, you guessed it, everyone's favourite Bioshock - and having the minus button right up near my thumb would be wonderful for quick weapon switching.

However, I would suggest that rather than placing the buttons above the A button, they be placed below so as not to interfere when using the Wiimote NES style. Of course, then you lose the nice comparison to the wonderful Gamecube controller, but it's a small price to pay. Come on Nintendo, spend over $17 million on these, rather than the Wiimote jackets!