Survey says that casual games are bringing families together

6:25 PM on 08.28.2007   |   Dale North

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Can a Wii fix your broken family? Are casual games good for everyone?

In a recent survey polling 7,500 casual gaming adults, about a third had children or grandchildren who played casual games in their home, and 80 percent of them play the games along with these children. Gamespot says that 92 percent of these people think that playing these games with their families helps bridge the generation gap and aids in bonding.

The same survey shows that 70 percent felt that these games have some educational value, and 68 percent thought that they somehow improved their dexterity and coordination.  

Psychologist Carl Arinoldo, author of Smart Parenting, commented, "Casual games span generations and genders in ways that traditional 'hardcore' video games never have... Casual games seem to promote more of a cooperative 'let's work on this together' type of atmosphere, as opposed to an aggressive, interpersonal competitive environment."

It's nice to see some positive news about video games for a change. If Wii Play can get grandma and her surly grandson talking and playing together, that's great, but don't expect him to continue playing nice if grandma wins one too many rounds.

Too bad there's not more grandparents like Old Grandma Hardcore.

 [Via Gamespot -- thanks, Justin]