Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: 58% of US adults blame violent games for violent behavior]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/report-58-of-us-adults-blame-violent-games-for-violent-behavio/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/report-58-of-us-adults-blame-violent-games-for-violent-behavio/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/report-58-of-us-adults-blame-violent-games-for-violent-behavio/#comments Report 58% of American adults believe violent video games contribute to violent behaviorStudies have shown that violent behavior is both linked and not linked to violent video games, but the majority of Americans have decided for themselves: A new poll says that 58 percent of adult Americans do believe that playing violent video games can contribute to violent behavior in teenagers. The independent survey studied 2,278 US adults, and found that nearly three out of five of them believed the link was there.

However, those same adults aren't too bothered with keeping violent video games out of the hands of children. 38 percent of survey takers said they know nothing about the Entertainment Software Ratings Board's system for rating game content, and 33 percent of those surveyed say their kids can play whatever they want anyway. Only 32 percent of respondents say the ESRB can keep violent games out of the hands of children, which is less credit than those surveyed give the movies or music ratings systems.

In reality, the FTC actually says the gaming ratings system is the best at keeping illicit content out of the hands of minors, though the media doesn't always report it that way. The full results of the report, from Harris Poll, are set to be released on Wednesday this week.

JoystiqReport: 58% of US adults blame violent games for violent behavior originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftpcplaystationps3reportsciencestudysurveyvideo-gamesviolencexboxMon, 25 Feb 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rice University offers course on Old Norse mythology, Skyrim]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/rice-university-offers-course-on-old-norse-mythology-skyrim/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/rice-university-offers-course-on-old-norse-mythology-skyrim/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/rice-university-offers-course-on-old-norse-mythology-skyrim/#comments Look, you don't need an expensive piece of paper from some institution to know that you're the Dohvakiin. You know it, we know it, the guy you yelled at until he died knows it -- that's all that really matters in the long run. But, if for some reason you did want to expand your knowledge of the ancient legends behind your ancient legend, Rice University has you covered.

"Scandinavian Fantasy Worlds: Old Norse Sagas and Skyrim" is a new course at Rice University in Houston, TX, which "introduces students to fantasy as both psychological concept and driving force in gamer culture" by having students "read selections from Old Norse and Old Icelandic sagas (in translation) as they play different quests within Skyrim."

As you can imagine, enrollment availability is limited to actual, bona fide students at Rice University. Additionally, the class is only available this semester, which is sad considering that beating Skyrim will most likely take longer than passing the course.

JoystiqRice University offers course on Old Norse mythology, Skyrim originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classcollegeelder-scrolls-5microsoftpcplaystationps3RICErice-universityskyrimstudythe-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimuniversityxboxSat, 20 Oct 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Just over half of Japanese developers turn a profit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/study-just-over-half-of-japanese-developers-turn-a-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/study-just-over-half-of-japanese-developers-turn-a-profit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/17/study-just-over-half-of-japanese-developers-turn-a-profit/#comments The last couple of years have been tough on Japanese game developers, according to a recently released study (PDF). The study, compiled by one Mirko Ernkvist, used consolidated financial data and revealed that just over half of Japanese developers actually manage to turn a profit. Specifically, in the last reported fiscal year for Japanese developers, 54.8 percent of companies reported a positive profit.

Obviously, that means that nearly half of developers either broke even or saw a financial loss. The study attributes these issues to a decrease in both domestic and international demand, increasing production costs and other factors like a strong Japanese Yen and "unfavorable demographic development in Japan and the challenging development of domestic consumption."

The data collected refers mostly to larger, publicly held companies, while financial data regarding smaller studios is harder to come by. Still, the study paints something of a bleak picture. With several Japan-focused panels planned for GDC next month -- notably a panel with Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune -- you can bet we'll be hearing plenty about how Japanese developers plan to reinvigorate their industry.

JoystiqStudy: Just over half of Japanese developers turn a profit originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialgdc-2012japanstudyFri, 17 Feb 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: In-game transactions account for 72% of iPhone app revenue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/study-in-game-transactions-account-for-72-of-iphone-app-revenu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/study-in-game-transactions-account-for-72-of-iphone-app-revenu/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/study-in-game-transactions-account-for-72-of-iphone-app-revenu/#comments At the Verizon Developer Community Conference in Las Vegas, Hendrik Koekkoek of Distimo, a firm that monitors app stores, spoke about iPhone revenue. According to his research firm, most app revenue doesn't come from direct sales -- it comes from in-game micro-transactions.

The number of free apps on the App store has grown by 34 percent since last year, while paid apps have only grown by seven percent, he estimates. The real money's with in-game purchases, he says, with 48 percent of total revenue coming from in-app transactions of free titles. 24 percent comes from in-app purchases of paid titles, leaving 28 percent of iOS revenue to straight-up paid apps.

Of course, this is all an estimate: Apple certainly won't divulge exact revenue information, though if we're going to say any person's opinion carries weight, it's gotta be the guy's whose job it is to monitor App store revenue, right?

JoystiqStudy: In-game transactions account for 72% of iPhone app revenue originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storedistimofreemiumiosiphonemobilestudyTue, 20 Sep 2011 21:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Australian game industry jobs drop over 50% since 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/report-australian-game-industry-jobs-drop-over-50-since-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/report-australian-game-industry-jobs-drop-over-50-since-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/18/report-australian-game-industry-jobs-drop-over-50-since-2008/#comments It's been a rough couple years for the games industry in Australia, a new Interactive Skills Integration Scheme survey shows. Currently, the figures (via GameSpot) suggest there are 931 full-time positions across 126 studios in the game industry Down Under, which excludes, oddly enough, "educational and other serious games." With over 1,000 jobs lost since 2008, the survey suggests a decline in jobs of over 50 percent there.

Data shows that Victoria holds the most industry jobs, accounting for 410 full-time development positions across 44 different studios. Brisbane is second, with 22 studios employing 262 full-time developers. Sydney has 144 devs working at 17 studios.

According to project lead Justin Brow, the loss of jobs is part of an exodus -- partly due to the country's lack of compelling IP, partly due to the strength of the country's dollar and partly because of the limited opportunities at the remaining big studios. That's not to say it's all doom and gloom there: companies like Halfbrick are showing that success can be had.

"I want Australia to be more competitive in the global games industry," Brow said. "I know we can do it. We have the innovation, creativity, and technology to do it, and we have good business relationships. There is no reason why we cannot be a leading light in the serious games market."

[Image credit]

JoystiqReport: Australian game industry jobs drop over 50% since 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaIndustryinteractive-skills-integration-schemeJobsjustin-browstudysurveyFri, 18 Feb 2011 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA goes on offense regarding 'flawed' video game study]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/esa-goes-on-offense-regarding-flawed-video-game-study/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/esa-goes-on-offense-regarding-flawed-video-game-study/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/14/esa-goes-on-offense-regarding-flawed-video-game-study/#comments The Entertainment Software Association recently issued a press release calling the credibility of an article which will be published in the February issue of Pediatrics (which we're sure you all subscribe to) into question. The article is penned by Iowa State professor Douglas Gentile, whose previous essays attempt to link gaming with addiction and alcoholism. The article in question is equally inflammatory: It attempts to draw a connection between video games and mental health problems in Singaporean children.

The ESA claims that Gentile's "definition of 'pathological gaming' is neither scientifically nor medically accepted and the type of measure used has been criticized by other scholars." The group's senior vice president for communications and industry affairs Richard Taylor added "We commend credible, independent, and verifiable research about computer and video games. However, this research is just more of the same questionable findings by the same author in his campaign against video games."

We'll have to wait until the February issue of Pediatrics arrives before passing our own judgment. We'll make sure to share our insight on the rest of the articles therein as well -- we've got a few choice words to share about a certain exposé on Spongebob Squarepants-themed tongue depressors.

Continue reading ESA goes on offense regarding 'flawed' video game study

JoystiqESA goes on offense regarding 'flawed' video game study originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>douglas-gentileesapediatricssciencesingaporestudyFri, 14 Jan 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Neurologists examine the brain on video games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/neurologists-examine-the-brain-on-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/neurologists-examine-the-brain-on-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/neurologists-examine-the-brain-on-video-games/#comments The New York Times' Bits blogger Matt Richtel recently took part in a University of California at San Francisco study of the brain by playing a "primitive" racing game inside of an MRI machine. This wasn't one of those attempts to show that gaming can improve brain functions, but rather the early stages of a larger project to "measure and map the ethereal concept of attention." Ritchel's brain was observed as he maneuvered around or ignored "distractions" in the game (a multitasking simulation).

Personally, we think this science project needs to evolve a bit. Look at that brain! It's bored out of its mind. For real, when there are other researchers out there bringing back giant aurochs from extinction or growing an "alien" form of bacteria, it's on today's scientists to step their game up. At least force test subjects to make some real Split/Second decisions.

Following Richtel's playtime in the MRI scanner, Dr. Adam Gazzaley, lead researcher of the UCSF project, concluded that the results were "neither surprising nor novel and consistent with existing literature." Yeah, but what would happen if you threw in an attack helicopter and some exploding barrels?

[Image sources: The New York Times; Shutterstock]

JoystiqNeurologists examine the brain on video games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-gazzaleyattentionbrainmrineurologystudyucsfTue, 04 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Action games improve 'real-world' skills, researchers suggest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/action-games-improve-real-world-skills-researchers-suggest/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/action-games-improve-real-world-skills-researchers-suggest/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/action-games-improve-real-world-skills-researchers-suggest/#comments "So what?" you might be thinking, "I don't care about the real world." Hey, we hear you. But! What if you could get those nagging loved ones off your back?

A host of new studies could prove an important bargaining chip in convincing your parents, partners and pad-mates that you really should keep playing Black Ops in lieu of other activities, productive or not. NPR reports on a series of brain studies that suggests playing action games can improve one's attention, multitasking ability and vision skills, including spatial reasoning and "contrast sensitivity" -- "a skill that comes in very handy if you're driving in fog," says Daphne Bavelier, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester.

And get this: Jay Pratt, a psych professor and brain researcher at the University of Toronto, claims his studies have shown that women, who he says typically score worse than men on spatial cognition tests, "improved substantially" after playing action games "and almost caught up to the men's scores." So, if your particular loved one happens to be both concerned and a female, reassure her: Black Ops supports split-screen multiplayer!

But, um, before you forward anyone the article, you may want to edit out some parts ... Apparently, just a few weeks of "training" can show lasting effects on your "real-world" skills for up to two years, and all the researchers involved encourage (ugh) "moderation" in playtime.

[Thanks, Chris; image credit: J. Adam Fenster/University of Rochester]

JoystiqAction games improve 'real-world' skills, researchers suggest originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-gamesattentionbrain-and-cognitive-sciencescontrast-sensitivitydaphne-baveliergenderjay-prattlauren-sergiomultitaskingneurosciencespatial-cognitionstudyuniversity-of-rochesteruniversity-of-torontoyork-universityMon, 20 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Games can improve vision of adults with lazy eye]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/study-games-can-improve-vision-of-adults-with-lazy-eye/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/study-games-can-improve-vision-of-adults-with-lazy-eye/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/25/study-games-can-improve-vision-of-adults-with-lazy-eye/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Kids with amblyopia, or "lazy eye" as it's commonly known, are familiar with the treatment/ritualistic torture of having a patch put over the good eye and being made to read, in order to strengthen the weaker eye. This doesn't work as well for adults with the condition -- unless they're playing video games while patched.

That's the takeaway from a study by a group at the Helen Willis Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. According to GamePolitics' summary of the study, 40 hours of gameplay using the "bad" eye was equivalent to 120 hours of normal, non-game-specific occlusion therapy. The test patients experienced an average of 30 percent improvement in visual acuity.

Joystiq is not qualified to dispense medical advice, but it sounds like -- if your bad eye is still good enough to figure out what's going on in a video game -- this might be worth trying. Suddenly the impossible dream of being able to kind of see the 3DS's stereoscopic effect seems within reach for the first time.

[Image credit: Magiceye.com. (The image is basically indecipherable for those with amblyopia.)]

JoystiqStudy: Games can improve vision of adults with lazy eye originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3damblyopiaexperimentlazy-eyemedicalstudytreatmentSat, 25 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[July study shows 5% of Steam users are on Mac OS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/july-study-shows-5-of-steam-users-are-on-mac-os/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/july-study-shows-5-of-steam-users-are-on-mac-os/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/july-study-shows-5-of-steam-users-are-on-mac-os/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mac coming to Steam was a huge deal when first announced and, since launching in May, Mac users have become five percent of Steam's total audience. That's damn significant -- back in January, Steam reported it had 25 million users, so you do the math.

That five percent figure comes via the latest Steam survey, which analyzed the digital distribution platform in July 2010. It's down from 8 percent in June, but that spike was likely thanks in large part to free Portal. Interestingly, almost 47 percent of the folks on Macs who accessed Steam during July did so using a MacBook Pro.

Also good to keep in mind: back in July, only a small fraction of the games on Steam were available for Mac users. Since then, an ever-growing catalogue of Mac-compatible games has recruited even more Mac users into the army of bloodshot-eyed fun seekers.

JoystiqJuly study shows 5% of Steam users are on Mac OS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macsteamstudyvalveThu, 26 Aug 2010 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: TV and games linked to attention problems in school]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/study-tv-and-games-linked-to-attention-problems-in-school/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/study-tv-and-games-linked-to-attention-problems-in-school/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/study-tv-and-games-linked-to-attention-problems-in-school/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[Image credit: dospaz]
A new study conducted by researchers at Iowa State University recently found that viewing television and playing video games were both associated with greater attention problems among young children. The study, which appeared in Pedatrics recently, followed the television and video game usage habits of 1300 "middle childhood" subjects, connected those up with "teacher-reported attention problems," and found that increased exposure to both television and video games was associated with attention issues.

The study doesn't mention that there's a casual relationship here, only that the two were "associated." A separate part of the study involved 210 "late adolescent/early adult participants" who provided self reports on both issues, and also found that some connection existed between the two. This study follows up on previous group research from the same university, but the researchers admit that much more research is needed before clear conclusions can be drawn.

Thanks, Will!

JoystiqStudy: TV and games linked to attention problems in school originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attentionattention-problemschildhoodpedatricsresearchresearchersstudytelevisionvideo-gamesWed, 07 Jul 2010 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EEDAR/SMU study: review scores affect perceived quality, purchase intent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/eedar-smu-study-review-scores-affect-perceived-quality-purchas/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/eedar-smu-study-review-scores-affect-perceived-quality-purchas/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/eedar-smu-study-review-scores-affect-perceived-quality-purchas/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A study conducted by EEDAR and SMU's Guildhall found trusted media outlets do affect consumers' perception of video games and their willingness to purchase. Joystiq received an advanced copy of the study (releasing publicly next week), that involved 165 qualified participants split into three groups, who were then exposed to high, low and no review scores for Plants vs. Zombies before playing the game. After the 20-minute session, the subjects were offered either a copy of the game or $10. A result of the study was that participants exposed to higher review scores were 100 percent more likely than those exposed to low scores to take a copy of Plants vs. Zombies over the $10 and "85 percent more likely to take the game than the control group." The study concludes that "because nearly twice as many participants in the high review group took the copy ... that the relationship between video game sales and professional review scores are not correlative but causal."

Plants vs. Zombies was chosen because it's "regarded by the gaming community and by critics as a high quality title of broad appeal." The mock reviews used in the study were from five well-known media outlets and participants were told that the aggregate review score they were given was "comprised of 51 professional" outlets. All participants "played the same game, on the same type of computer, in the same environment, for the same amount of time."

Continue reading EEDAR/SMU study: review scores affect perceived quality, purchase intent

JoystiqEEDAR/SMU study: review scores affect perceived quality, purchase intent originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EEDARguildhallmicrosoftnintendopcPlants-vs-Zombiesplaystationps3researchsmusouthern-methodist-universitystudywiixboxTue, 06 Jul 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Science: EA Sports Active is a real workout]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/03/science-ea-sports-active-is-a-real-workout/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/03/science-ea-sports-active-is-a-real-workout/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/03/science-ea-sports-active-is-a-real-workout/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Think the peripheral-equipped EA Sports Active provides nothing more than a wussy, girly-man workout? You might be right, but at least it's a wussy, girly-man doctor-approved workout. So says a new study conducted by a researcher from the University of Wisconsin, who found that EA's exer-game meets the requirements set up by the American College of Sports Medicine for "a healthy, active lifestyle."

The researcher had 16 different adults use the game as directed, and had them performing with a high heart rate and oxygen consumption, burning a minimum of 200 calories a session, five days a week. According to the ACSM, that's enough to "maintain proper health."

Unfortunately, the game doesn't actually stop you from playing Red Dead Redemption and connect the monitors up to you, so you'll have to do that part yourself. And while 200 calories can be significant (depending on your diet), you can burn just about that much by walking for an hour. Then again, this "walking" game doesn't have any DLC coming, does it? Take that, ambulation!

JoystiqScience: EA Sports Active is a real workout originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsea-sports-activeelectronic-artsnintendostudywiiThu, 03 Jun 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study explores link between gamers and lucid dreams]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/31/study-explores-link-games-lucid-dreams/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/31/study-explores-link-games-lucid-dreams/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/31/study-explores-link-games-lucid-dreams/#comments So, you know that recurring dream you've been having for the past three weeks? You know, the one where you're riding cross-country in a hot air balloon in the shape of Ed Asner's head? And then the balloon-face looks down upon you, frowns with disappointment, detaches the basket, and you fall into a volcano made of knives? According to a study conducted by Grant MacEwan University researcher Jayne Gackenbach, you might be able to take the fate of dream-you into your own hands.

Gackenbach's survey concluded that gamers are more prone to reporting "lucid dreams" or "control dreams," in which they view themselves in a third-person perspective with complete control of their actions and the world around them. When faced with a nightmare, participants of the study claimed to have a proclivity to "turn and fight back," according to Gackenbach. So, next time you're falling, remember: There's been a jetpack under your sweater the entire time.

[Via Fidgit]

JoystiqStudy explores link between gamers and lucid dreams originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 May 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dreamlucid-dreamnightmarepsychologysciencesleepstudyMon, 31 May 2010 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: Console and PC gaming on the rise, portable gaming down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/npd-console-and-pc-gaming-on-the-rise-portable-gaming-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/npd-console-and-pc-gaming-on-the-rise-portable-gaming-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/npd-console-and-pc-gaming-on-the-rise-portable-gaming-down/#comments In its yearly online study of gaming habits for consumer panel members age two and older, the NPD says that this year shows a nine percent increase in console gaming over last year, whereas PC gaming saw an increase of six percent from those polled. Portable gaming didn't fare as well, seeing a sharp decline: 16 percent, despite previous evidence of portable gaming becoming increasingly popular among younger gamers.

The study also offers some insight into the gamers themselves. This year, the average age of a gamer was 32 compared to last year's age of 31. PC gamers are the oldest, with an average age of 42 -- PC gamers who engaged in online and offline play comprised 11 and eight percent of the gaming population polled, respectively.

Now you may be wondering exactly how the NPD parsed this data. 18,872 individuals were part of the study, where gamers aged 13 and older had their responses pulled directly. For those younger than 13 years, the NPD employed "surrogate reporting," where a parent or guardian accompanied the subject to the terminal and either inputted the answers for them or simply supervised their session. The final data was then "weighted and balanced to represent the U.S. population of individuals ages 2 and older."

JoystiqNPD: Console and PC gaming on the rise, portable gaming down originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 May 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSMicrosoftNintendonpdstudyWiiXbox-360Fri, 28 May 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study finds casual gaming can help cognition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/study-finds-casual-gaming-can-help-cognition/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/study-finds-casual-gaming-can-help-cognition/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/study-finds-casual-gaming-can-help-cognition/#comments East Carolina University's Psychophysiology Lab recently published some promising findings from a study on the effect casual games can have on the cognitive abilities of older players. According to Gamasutra, the study, which has run for almost six months and counting, has measured certain mental functions of 40-some participants over the age of 50 as they've played various PopCap games in half-hour chunks over the duration of the study. Researchers have found that even this semi-regular play (like, really, who plays a PopCap game for just thirty minutes) has boosted participants' cognitive response times by 87 percent, in addition to increasing their executive functioning by a whopping 215 percent.

So, what does that mean? The group conducting the study explained these findings could prove casual games (and, in all likelihood, "so-called 'hardcore' video games") could constitute effective mental exercise for the elderly, or those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's. That's really great news, since our grandmother has probably played enough Zuma that she can now move things around with her mind.

JoystiqStudy finds casual gaming can help cognition originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alzheimerscasualcognitivedementiaelderlypopcapsciencestudyThu, 27 May 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study says violent gaming doesn't have a major impact on sleep]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/17/study-says-violent-gaming-doesnt-have-a-major-impact-on-sleep/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/17/study-says-violent-gaming-doesnt-have-a-major-impact-on-sleep/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/17/study-says-violent-gaming-doesnt-have-a-major-impact-on-sleep/#comments A team of Australian researchers recently conducted a study to determine what effect -- if any -- late-night violent gaming sessions have on a young person's sleep cycle. Two groups of teenage boys were either made to play 50 minutes of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare or watch March of the Penguins while lying in bed. The results showed that the group who played Modern Warfare took only a few minutes longer to fall asleep than those watching the movie, causing the researchers to think presleep gaming's negative effects "may be more modest than previously thought."

These results aren't entirely conclusive, as some have taken umbrage with the relatively small 50-minute testing session, which is Sony's recommended amount of continuous gaming time. Personally, we're not convinced Modern Warfare was the best game to get these kids' adrenaline flowing. Next time, we suggest a rousing round of Flower.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqStudy says violent gaming doesn't have a major impact on sleep originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Apr 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionaustraliacall-of-duty-4call-of-duty-4-modern-warfareinfinity-wardmarch-of-the-penguinsmodern-warfaresciencesleepstudySat, 17 Apr 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DFC: 88 percent of gamers have bought virtual goods]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/dfc-88-percent-of-gamers-have-bought-virtual-goods/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/dfc-88-percent-of-gamers-have-bought-virtual-goods/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/29/dfc-88-percent-of-gamers-have-bought-virtual-goods/#comments According to a recent study, 88 percent of gamers have purchased digital content over the last several years. The study was conducted by market research firm DFC Intelligence using a survey of 5000 gamers from the US and Europe during the first two months of 2010. The study also looked at data from several different countries -- including South Korea, the U.S., Japan, Germany, Vietnam and the Philippines -- gathered over the last seven years. The worldwide data was provided by Live Gamer, a company that helps developers and publishers monetize their products.

It's worth noting that the content described by the survey includes music and movies as well as in-game content. Still, 60 percent of those surveyed have purchased in-game items, most of which were offered as part of free-to-play games. DFC analyst David Cole notes that the free-to-play model gives games distinct advantages over traditional single releases, saying that "a single product can have a lifespan of years online as opposed to a few months on the retail shelf."

According to DFC, free-to-play games like Farmville and Combat Arms, which the firm refers to as "MMOG Lite," are expected to grow substantially over the next few years. DFC sees what it calls "MMOG Lite" products growing substantially in the next few years. Specifically, DFC predicts that the MMOG Lite market in Europe and North America will grow from $800 million in 2009 to over $3 billion by 2015.

But don't feel left out, core gamers, these finding apply to all kinds of games. Live Gamer's Andrew Schneider points out that core gamers are "increasingly engaging in the purchase of virtual goods" and adds that the study illustrates "the market potential as traditional Western game publishers migrate towards microtransactions as the central monetization method."

Frankly, the study's findings seem just a little far-fetched. Now, if you'll excuse us, the crops need tending.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqDFC: 88 percent of gamers have bought virtual goods originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combat-armsdfc-intelligencefarmvillefree-to-playfreemiumlive-gamerstudyMon, 29 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study suggests game marketers are 'missing the mark']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/study-suggets-game-marketers-are-missing-the-mark/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/study-suggets-game-marketers-are-missing-the-mark/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/study-suggets-game-marketers-are-missing-the-mark/#comments A new study released by the Blitz marketing firm suggests that current video game marketing practices are coming up short*. The study focused on the factors that influence the buying decisions of "avid gamers" -- anyone who plays games for at least seven hours a week, according to Blitz. According to the study, it's these "avid gamers" that most game marketing fails to attract. That's a bad thing, as the study also notes that avid gamers actually have the most influence over purchases. In other words, gamers make purchases based on the opinions of their friends.

The basic conclusions drawn by the study to boost marketing muscle: Utilize social networking and mobile marketing, show actual gameplay, make websites that are relevant to users and give incentives for registering on said websites (cheats, discounts, etc.). The study also notes that marketers should focus on "what's new" when marketing sequels.

Most of the points seem in line with the kinds of things gamers have been saying for years, especially the note about actual gameplay footage; just read the comments on any CG trailer posted on Joystiq and you'll see. There are some interesting ideas in the study though, particularly using mobile phone marketing for "on-the-go" coupons. Instant discounts from the ether? Yes, please.

Alas, the study offers no tips for marketing Wii titles. For now, we'll assume that most companies will stick with the usual Wii marketing strategy: Don't even bother.

*Download the complete report [PDF]

JoystiqStudy suggests game marketers are 'missing the mark' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blitzmarketingstudyWed, 03 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study links violent games to violent thoughts and behavior]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/study-links-violent-games-to-violent-thoughts-and-behavior/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/study-links-violent-games-to-violent-thoughts-and-behavior/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/study-links-violent-games-to-violent-thoughts-and-behavior/#comments If you're a subscriber to the APA's Psychological Bulletin (and why wouldn't you be?), you'll find something especially relevant to your interests in the March issue. Psychologist Craig Anderson analyzed existing studies of 130,000 people from the U.S., Europe and Japan, and found that exposure to violent video games was associated with aggressive behavior and thought, along with typical accusations of an inability to foster positive social behavior. A rebuttal to the study from another psychologist and ESA chief Michael Gallagher is featured in The Washington Post article on the subject.

We're not doctors nor scientists ourselves, so we're not going to try to pick apart Anderson's findings. We, like Gallagher, are just going to point towards the research of two people who don't have such a huge axe to grind (as Anderson so clearly does). As Dr. Cheryl K. Olson and Dr. Lawrence Kutner wrote in their Grand Theft Childhood, "the strong link between video game violence and real world violence, and the conclusion that video games lead to social isolation and poor interpersonal skills, are drawn from bad or irrelevant research, muddleheaded thinking and unfounded, simplistic news reports."

Also, we'd ask that Anderson clarify if the tendency toward violent impulses was specifically sparked by playing Modern Warfare 2 online with a bunch of 12-year-old racist homophobes. Because, then dude, yes.

JoystiqStudy links violent games to violent thoughts and behavior originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apaesaesrbgrand-theft-childhoodmike-gallagherresearchstudyviolenceviolent-video-gamesMon, 01 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Seniors can be tricked into exercising with video games, study might suggest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/seniors-can-be-tricked-into-exercising-with-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/seniors-can-be-tricked-into-exercising-with-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/26/seniors-can-be-tricked-into-exercising-with-video-games/#comments It doesn't take a research grant to figure out that exercise -- heck, just walking around the block once a day -- can have a dramatic effect on a person's well-being. The problem is that so-called "older adults," who are particularly prone to a mild but no less debilitating depression known as subsyndromal depression (SSD), are really just too bummed out to do much of anything. Here's where the grant money comes in: Dilip V. Jeste, MD, and his team of researches at UCSD gathered up 19 seniors diagnosed with SSD and had each of them play Wii Sports for 35 minutes, three times a week.

"The study suggests encouraging results from the use of the exergames," Dr. Jeste reports. "More than one-third of the participants had a 50-percent or greater reduction of depressive symptoms." Additionally, most participants claimed that learning to to play those darned vidja games was actually pretty easy -- even enjoyable. Uh-oh. Red flag!

You see, had Dr. Jeste continued his study, he might have found that his guinea pigs would soon discover that Wii Sports can easily be played with the slightest flicks of the wrist and, ah yes, it is nice to just sit back on the couch again, but, oh boy, this game is really getting boring, so let me just get on the dag blasted google and see what -- here we go -- "the best videogame right now," okay, the yahoo's answer says: World of Warcraft. Warcraft, eh? That certainly sounds better than bowling. Couldn't hurt to give it a quick gander ... click.

JoystiqSeniors can be tricked into exercising with video games, study might suggest originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exergamingNintendoseniorsstudyWiiwii-sportsFri, 26 Feb 2010 05:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Nielsen study: Most households spend five percent of entertainment budget on games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/nielsen-study-most-households-spend-five-percent-of-entertainme/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/nielsen-study-most-households-spend-five-percent-of-entertainme/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/nielsen-study-most-households-spend-five-percent-of-entertainme/#comments While we're sure Leslie Nielsen knows his fair share about gaming, we're talking about Nielsen Media Research -- it's a firm most known for documenting who watches what on television in the United States. Nielsen Games has conducted a study into the buying habits of Americans, postulating that video games account for about five percent of the total entertainment budget for the average household.

The information comes from a survey of over 3,000 U.S. consumers and uses the "share of wallet" idea for calculating monthly entertainment allowance. Basically, Nielsen took the percentage of money spent in a month on all possible entertainment options by a household and pulled this five percent figure from that -- however, households that were deemed to be "active buyers" of video games had a figure that was around double: nine percent. So, it's around five percent for those casual fans of gaming and about nine percent of monthly budget for active gaming households.

It's also important to understand exactly what Nielsen considers video game content: new and used games; downloadable content; rentals; and peripheral sales. And, unfortunately, there's really no way to quantify these figures into dollars and cents -- different households have different budgets, which could inflate or deflate the figures.

Nielsen promises a more comprehensive report on the subject this March with the inaugural Nielsen 360° Gaming Report: United States Market.

Via Game Politics]

JoystiqNielsen study: Most households spend five percent of entertainment budget on games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessnielsensalesstudyunited-statesTue, 23 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teens like video games (and other stuff you don't get)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/teens-like-video-games-and-other-stuff-you-dont-get/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/teens-like-video-games-and-other-stuff-you-dont-get/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/teens-like-video-games-and-other-stuff-you-dont-get/#comments
[Stand Up For America]
Your teenage daughter and/or son aren't kidding around when they say you just don't get it. You really don't. You're not a teenager. You don't know everything like they do. And one of the things they know is that video games are the bomb. The kids still say that, right?

Anyway, according to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project study (via MSNBC), 80 percent of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 own a gaming console and that around 51 percent of those in the same age group own a portable gaming device. "While younger and older teens are equally likely to have a game console, boys are more likely than girls to have one," the study reads, pointing out that 89 percent of boys have a gaming console compared to 70 percent of girls.

The study itself focuses mostly on the internet and how the young are connecting (hint: they like laptops and -- wait, MySpace?), but it's a good read if you're looking to get in touch with the youngsters.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqTeens like video games (and other stuff you don't get) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>console-ownershipconsolesDSMicrosoftNintendoportablestudyteenagersWiiXbox-360Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists using Balance Board in stroke rehab]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/scientists-using-balance-board-in-stroke-rehab/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/scientists-using-balance-board-in-stroke-rehab/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/scientists-using-balance-board-in-stroke-rehab/#comments While the Balance Board is a good tool for controlling cute little monkeys and perhaps creating a career, Australian scientists have found it's also an inexpensive way to measure the balance in stroke patients. University of Melbourne scientist Ross Clark decided to pick one up after reading that some physicians were using Wiimotes to help recuperating soldiers, and found it to be "an extremely impressive strain gauge set-up." That's a very good thing, considering the only alternative is a "force platform" which can set scientists back a hefty £11,000 ($15,700).

There aren't any results out of Melbourne yet, but if you're interested in what's under the hood of that little plastic pad you're slowly turning a kind of brownish-black (would it kill you to wear clean socks when using it?), check out this Nintendo Channel video from back in the day.

[Via Kotaku and New Scientist]

JoystiqScientists using Balance Board in stroke rehab originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabalance-boardrehabross-clarksciencestudyuniversity-of-melbournewii-fitTue, 19 Jan 2010 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision survey: 82% of gamer parents aware of ESRB ratings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/activision-survey-82-of-gamer-parents-aware-of-esrb-ratings/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/activision-survey-82-of-gamer-parents-aware-of-esrb-ratings/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/activision-survey-82-of-gamer-parents-aware-of-esrb-ratings/#comments That woman buying her 12-year-old a copy of Modern Warfare 2 at Gamestop right now may not know about it, but Activision says a recent survey concluded that 82% of gamer parents are well aware of the ESRB rating guidelines and what they mean. The survey also found that 75% of children who play games understand the rating system, and that 70% of parents actually pay close attention to the ratings when buying a game either for themselves or for their families. Note that it doesn't say they follow the ratings, only that they are aware of the system and pay attention to how games are rated.

Gaming families spend a lot of time playing games, too: 76% of parents agree that video games are a big part of their family activities, and among gamer parents, a majority (52%) of their gaming time is spent playing with their children. Finally, a full 59% of kids polled say that "it's a little creepy" when Jane Lynch shows up to play games with you for a Microsoft commercial. Okay, you got us, we lied about that last stat. When anyone from Glee shows up, it's 100% fun.

JoystiqActivision survey: 82% of gamer parents aware of ESRB ratings originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionentertainment-software-ratings-boardesrbparentsratingsstudysurveyFri, 15 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Playing puzzle games will make you better at puzzle solving]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/30/study-playing-puzzle-games-will-make-you-better-at-puzzle-solvi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/30/study-playing-puzzle-games-will-make-you-better-at-puzzle-solvi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/30/study-playing-puzzle-games-will-make-you-better-at-puzzle-solvi/#comments
[flickr: Stephen Hampshire]
Wheaton College psychology professor Rolf Nelson has come to a startling conclusion based on the outcome of a recently conducted study: Playing games makes people better at playing ... games. According to GamePolitics, the study results -- published in the journal Perception (subscription required) -- showed that its 20 participants performed more accurately on two spatial relations tests after spending time playing a puzzle game, but were faster at completing the tests after sitting down with an action game.

In one test, participants were tasked with clicking on a spot where a target had briefly flashed on-screen; the second required them to choose from four shapes the one that most closely matched a target shape -- so, essentially, they were playing puzzle games after playing ... puzzle games. We're puzzled by the fact that Professor Nelson hadn't himself realized much sooner that, hey, this Professor Layton game tape is making me better at these here tests.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqStudy: Playing puzzle games will make you better at puzzle solving originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionbrainpsychologypuzzlesciencestudywheaton-collegeWed, 30 Dec 2009 03:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Study says word of mouth most important factor in games purchase intent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/study-says-word-of-mouth-most-important-factor-in-games-purchase/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/study-says-word-of-mouth-most-important-factor-in-games-purchase/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/study-says-word-of-mouth-most-important-factor-in-games-purchase/#comments Word of Mouf isn't just your favorite Ludacris album, it's also apparently crucial in deciding whether or not consumers will pick up a game. A new study from (deep breath) Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism at the University of Southern California, and Harris Interactive concluded that word of mouth was three times as likely to affect a purchasing decision as opposed to traditional forms of advertising.

The study quizzed 507 gamers from July 6 to July 27 of this year. These gamers consisted of US adults who owned at least one gaming system, bought a video game in the six months prior to the study and admitted to playing a game for at least one hour per week.

The study also said participants identified special "Influence Mutlipliers," such as veteran gamers and the gaming community at large. These "Influence Multipliers" represented 21 percent of the gamers in the study, declaring they were the go-to people for friends and families looking for opinions on games. Boy, don't we know that pain!

JoystiqStudy says word of mouth most important factor in games purchase intent originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annenberg-school-for-communication-and-journalismharris-interactiveinfluence-multiplierspurchase-intentreportstudyuniversity-of-southern-californiawaggener-edstrom-worldwideWed, 16 Dec 2009 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: 40 million homes will have 3D televisions by 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/report-40-million-homes-will-have-3d-televisions-by-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/report-40-million-homes-will-have-3d-televisions-by-2014/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/report-40-million-homes-will-have-3d-televisions-by-2014/#comments In a recent study conducted by Insight Media titled the "Stereoscopic 3D Gaming Report," researchers concluded that the install base of 3D-ready televisions will rise to "over 40 million" by 2014. MCV reports that the $5,000 study's results are based on the statistical outperformance of 3D film over 2D equivalents, as well as "extensive testing of the first generation of 3D games."

"We spoke directly with gamers, game developers, and game publishers ... to build a complete picture of the future of gaming," lead analyst Dale Maunu said of the testing. In fairness, when we last saw 3D technology in games, it kind of blew our minds, so we'd like to trust Mr. Maunu -- that being said, we're still paying off these HDTVs. Give us some time, The Future! Come on!

JoystiqReport: 40 million homes will have 3D televisions by 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d-technologydale-maunudisplayinsight-mediareportscreensstereoscopicstereoscopic-3dstudyThu, 10 Dec 2009 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Study scrutinizes shooters for violations of war crime laws]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/study-scrutinizes-shooters-for-violations-of-war-crime-laws/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/study-scrutinizes-shooters-for-violations-of-war-crime-laws/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/24/study-scrutinizes-shooters-for-violations-of-war-crime-laws/#comments Two Swiss humanitarian organizations recently examined 20 shooting-centric video games to determine whether they allowed players to break the wartime guidelines laid out by the Geneva Convention -- rules which prohibit torture, destroying "protected objects" (such as churches or mosques), or, say, shooting a bunch of people who are waiting to catch a plane. The games observed, which include 24: The Game, Call of Duty 4 and 5 (we assume they meant Modern Warfare 2) and Metal Gear Solid, were largely panned for allowing the player to simply ignore the Geneva Convention's statutes.

According to a BBC report on the study, the two groups explained that while players of these titles may never become soldiers, these war crime violations could "influence what people believe war is like and how soldiers conduct themselves in the real world."

In short, you should feel bad about your recent airport murder spree in Modern Warfare 2. Not for the moral implications of killing dozens and dozens of innocent people, mind you -- but because it was against the rules.

JoystiqStudy scrutinizes shooters for violations of war crime laws originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-the-gamebbcgeneva-conventionHumanitarianmetal-gear-solidmodern-warfare-2studywar-crimeTue, 24 Nov 2009 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamasutra examines Gamerscore and game completion statistics]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gamasutra-examines-gamerscore-and-game-completion-statistics/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gamasutra-examines-gamerscore-and-game-completion-statistics/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gamasutra-examines-gamerscore-and-game-completion-statistics/#comments
In a new feature, Gamasutra looks at Xbox 360 Gamerscore and game completion statistics in search of a reason why some players stop playing games in their library.

According to the feature, a game's overall difficulty is the biggest culprit from discouraging players from completing a game. Using data of 14,000 players regularly surveyed provided by Microsoft and the top 13 Xbox Live titles in 2008, it was concluded the group unlocked less than half of the possible Gamerscore on average. Gamasutra notes that the selected users in the survey tend to be more hardcore than the average player, so overall completion rates are expected to be even lower.

Another point of the study was to determine the average completion of a game's campaign mode. Using data of games that award campaign completion Achievements, it was determined that only 30 percent of the surveyed group did not play games until the end. Gamasutra theorizes that the reason so many gamers neglect a game's campaign is due to frustration. Having experienced the -- sadly, often horrific -- world of Xbox Live, we'd also guess many of the hardcore gamers examined skipped the campaign in favor of pwnin' n00bs online.

JoystiqGamasutra examines Gamerscore and game completion statistics originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementsfinishing-gamesgame-completiongamerscoreMicrosoftstudyXbox-360xbox-liveWed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD study finds 40% of recent game purchases were impulse-driven]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/npd-study-finds-40-of-recent-game-purchases-were-impulse-driven/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/npd-study-finds-40-of-recent-game-purchases-were-impulse-driven/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/16/npd-study-finds-40-of-recent-game-purchases-were-impulse-driven/#comments
An NPD Group study, using our Canadian brothers and sisters as guinea pigs, has apparently determined that 40 percent of game buyers purchased on impulse (no, not Stardock's Impulse) in the last six months. GI.biz reports that the study found the driving factor for these losses in willpower were pretty packaging, online accessibility and cheaper pre-owned titles.

NPD's Matthew Tattle notes that it's surprising to find impulse purchasing going on during a recession, but that "it's clear that hardcore gamers will find a way to satisfy their need for something new, different and enjoyable." Or, maybe, their ADD is just kicking in and they can't focus on the fact that we're in a recession?

The average impulse purchase was under $27 (USD), as compared to the average $42 planned purchase. The study also found that females were more likely to buy on impulse and that 15 percent of purchases were made through online transactions. So, apparently some impulse purchases were on Impulse.

JoystiqNPD study finds 40% of recent game purchases were impulse-driven originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadaimpulsenpdnpd-groupresearchstudyFri, 16 Oct 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega receives poorly timed online gambling license]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/sega-receives-poorly-timed-online-gambling-license/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/sega-receives-poorly-timed-online-gambling-license/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/sega-receives-poorly-timed-online-gambling-license/#comments Here's a fun little slice of coincidence to brighten up your life: A pair of Australian researchers recently published a study that tracks the correlation between heavy video game use in teens and pathological gambling tendencies. Not 24 hours before this study -- which concluded that there was some connection between the two activities -- hit the blogosphere, Sega made an unfortunately-timed announcement: The company had secured an online gambling license from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, allowing it to run Sega-branded online casino games for real-life money.

While some may weave these two stories into a tapestry of fear for our young, impressionable youths, we're honestly not that worried. After their first roughing up by professional loan shark Big the Cat, they'll likely shy away from games of chance altogether.

[Thanks, Barry.]

JoystiqSega receives poorly timed online gambling license originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casinogamblingonline-gamblingpokerresearchsegastudyThu, 15 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Iowa State study links gaming to -- over there, check it out!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/iowa-state-study-links-gaming-to-over-there-check-it-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/iowa-state-study-links-gaming-to-over-there-check-it-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/iowa-state-study-links-gaming-to-over-there-check-it-out/#comments If we can stay focused on this post for just a minute, we'll tell you all about a recent Iowa State University study that concluded -- hey, how 'bout all that commotion over Demon's Souls ... crazy, right? So anyway, this study claims there's a correlation between spending a lot of time gaming and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). The study, appearing in the latest issue of Psychophysiology, determined brain wave responses to both proactive (i.e., "attack the monster") and reactive (i.e., "dodge the monster's attack") activities. By the way, have you been following the buzz around Uncharted 2? The game's awesome!

Oh right, so ... The ISU researcher (not this one) found that test subjects playing games for four-plus hours a day showed "significantly diminished" attention levels to proactive activities. Though you're welcome to draw your own conclusions, you little scientists, this deficiency is alleged to -- cue scientific blabber: "reveal a reduction in brain activity and disruption of behavior associated with sustained attention ability." It's possible you'd have a mess of outraged questions at this point, but let's be honest: you didn't read the whole post, did you?

[Image credit: MarsDD]

JoystiqIowa State study links gaming to -- over there, check it out! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addattention-deficit-disorderiowaiowa-state-universityresearchsciencestudyThu, 15 Oct 2009 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD provides stats on game promotion, platform cross-ownership]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/npd-provides-stats-on-game-promotion-platform-cross-ownership/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/npd-provides-stats-on-game-promotion-platform-cross-ownership/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/15/npd-provides-stats-on-game-promotion-platform-cross-ownership/#comments
 The NPD Group's steady stream of gaming industry studies continues today with a fascinating look at the game purchasing community. Here's the most surprising statistic to come from the study -- in a poll asking what methods gaming enthusiasts used to gather information about new titles, 41 percent of participants chose the "word of mouth" response. This far outweighs the ratio of gamers who draw information from advertisements, social networking sites and hands-on time with games at a friend or relatives' house.

The other bit of information (which will likely serve as ammunition in some misguided fanboy war) is a chart showing a breakdown of gaming console cross-ownership. It goes like this: Nearly 40 percent of PS3 owners also own Wiis or Xbox 360s, 18 percent of Xbox 360 owners have PS3s, and few Wii owners also possess 360s (26 percent) or PS3s (14 percent).

To see this information presented in a manner that doesn't resemble the makings of an SAT Prep logic puzzle, check out the NPD Group's press release.
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JoystiqNPD provides stats on game promotion, platform cross-ownership originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-ownershipMicrosoftNintendonpdnpd-grouppromotionstudysurveyWiiword-of-mouthXbox-360Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Pricing and social features most important factors for game success]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/study-pricing-and-social-features-most-important-factors-for-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/study-pricing-and-social-features-most-important-factors-for-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/study-pricing-and-social-features-most-important-factors-for-ga/#comments Prepare yourselves, dear readers, to be blinded with science! Russell Beale and Matthew Bond, two industry analysts from the University of Birmingham, UK, recently conducted a study to see what factors mattered the most when determining video game review scores. What they found was that graphical fidelity and storytelling actually took a backseat to budget pricing, social networking features and family accessibility when it comes to racking up the ten-out-of-tens.

The article on NewScientist which reports on the study gives us no indication as to how it was conducted -- still, it's inspired us to create a casual video game based on MySpace, which will hit retail shelves at a cool $9.99. All that left to do now is drown in sweet, published accolades.

JoystiqStudy: Pricing and social features most important factors for game success originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetnewscientistpricingreviewsocial-networkingstudyukuniversity-of-birminghamSat, 12 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Gamers stay gamers for life]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/report-gamers-stay-gamers-for-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/report-gamers-stay-gamers-for-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/report-gamers-stay-gamers-for-life/#comments A new study released by the Entertainment Merchants Association claims that when you're a gamer, you're a gamer all the way -- from your first headshot kill to your last dyin' day. "Once a consumer decides to play video games, they continue to play for life -- adding to the growing number of gamers worldwide," the study is quoted by IndustryGamers as stating.

Unlike the fast food, retail or nondescript henchman industries, "consumer turnover in the video game market is exceedingly low," says the EMA. While it offers no figures to back up the claim -- perhaps Nintendo's ads for Wii featuring the elderly were evidence enough -- the group maintains that, "older gamers continue to be engaged by video games, rather than dropping out and being replaced by a new generation." Here's hoping that the fifth generation of Project Natal recognizes our walkers as power armor.

JoystiqReport: Gamers stay gamers for life originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureentertainment-merchants-associationstudyMon, 27 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pediatric journal boasts about benefits of exergaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/pediatric-journal-boasts-benefits-of-exergaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/pediatric-journal-boasts-benefits-of-exergaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/pediatric-journal-boasts-benefits-of-exergaming/#comments
Kids-focused health journal Pediatrics recently published a study that would shock those who decry the health benefits of exergames. The study, which was performed by researchers from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, measured young people's energy expenditure while at rest, while playing Dance Dance Revolution at two different skill levels, while walking and running on a treadmill and while boxing and bowling on Wii Sports. That sounds like more physical exertion than we go through in a year.

Some of the comparisons between these activities yielded somewhat unsurprising results -- playing the video games burned three times the calories the kids spent at rest, of course. However, the researchers also found that playing these games was a comparable activity to "moderate to intense walking," despite the fact that Wii Sports requires little lower-body movement. It seems that for the first time in recent memory, we've got science on our side. Hooray!

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqPediatric journal boasts about benefits of exergaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddrexerciseexergaminghealthpediatricssciencestudywii-sportsSun, 19 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: Video gaming surpasses moviegoing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/npd-video-gaming-surpasses-moviegoing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/npd-video-gaming-surpasses-moviegoing/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/npd-video-gaming-surpasses-moviegoing/#comments
Are you puzzled as to why visionary director Steven Spielberg recently made the leap from managing motion pictures to creating block-n-ball Wii games? The answer can be found in a recent NPD study: According to the NPD research group, 63 percent of Americans have played a video game in the past six months -- but only 53 percent of Americans went out to the movies over the same time period. Mr. Spielberg is jumping off a burning ship.

Do you realize what this means? We're winning. We're not sure what we're winning, but surely someone, somewhere, was arguing about why video games are better than films. The NPD just supplied this lone crusader with an invaluable piece of empirical evidence. Keep the fire, brother. Your hour of victory draws near.

For more stats about how great video games are, check out the NPD's full report.

JoystiqNPD: Video gaming surpasses moviegoing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>filmmoviesnpdnpd-groupreportstudyvideo-gamesWed, 20 May 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: 23% of UK households have a console]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/study-23-of-uk-households-have-a-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/study-23-of-uk-households-have-a-console/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/study-23-of-uk-households-have-a-console/#commentsAccording to a new study called Fast Forward, conducted by Harris Interactive, almost a quarter of all UK households now contain a games console. The report questioned 2,000 UK citizens in November and February, with the Wii in particular seeing an ownership increase of 5%. Unsurprising, really, considering the report's proximity to Christmas and the continuing popularity of Wii Fit in the region.

The analysts at Harris Interactive reckon this increase in console ownership -- 23% represents some 14 million people -- is down to the economic downturn and the tendency for people to invest in home entertainment, rather than to go out. It might also have to do with the fact that games are lowering in price very quickly in the region. Even the really good ones.

JoystiqStudy: 23% of UK households have a console originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 May 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europestudyUKWed, 13 May 2009 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Halo 3: ODST most desired Xbox 360 game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/report-halo-3-odst-most-desired-xbox-360-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/report-halo-3-odst-most-desired-xbox-360-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/29/report-halo-3-odst-most-desired-xbox-360-game/#comments
Research group Gameplan Insights recently conducted a study, which highlighted the most anticipated Xbox 360 games. Its parent company, OTX, polled 1,000 gamers across various demographics every week through March and April, and discovered that Halo 3: ODST is the most anticipated game. Bungie's upcoming spin-off managed to narrowly best Modern Warfare 2 (if you can believe it), according to data Gameplan Insights provided to Gamasutra. Rounding out the rest of the top five are Madden NFL 10, Final Fantasy XIII, and Assassin's Creed 2.

What's odd about all of this is that Halo 3: ODST is the only Xbox 360 exclusive to feature in the list. The remainder, as you can see, are multiplatform titles. Perhaps Microsoft will rectify that with its upcoming E3 showcase.

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqReport: Halo 3: ODST most desired Xbox 360 game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creed-2final-fantasy-xiiigameplangameplan-insightshalo-3halo-3-odstmadden-10MicrosoftreportstudyXbox-360Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:40:00 EST