Women and Older Folks Changing the Video Game Market

A new generation of games that are relaxing and calming is making its way into the market, due largely to the influence of women and older players who are not as interested in bloodshed and aggression as they are in community and rapport.

These are players who want to enjoy family time with children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. According to Richard Chang, relaxing games "designed to induce calm and tranquility are emerging as a major category in an industry often knocked for promoting bad behavior."

Nintendo's Wii has made a major excursion into the market with its game focusing on fitness, education and community. "Endless Ocean" is a game that presents a challenge without the usual call for adrenaline; instead players dive into the"gentle deep waters" to visit sea creatures, corals and buried caves.

Based on the idea that the benefits of video games go beyond aggression, these games challenge the players without over-stimulating them with violent images and sound. There is a need for more games in the casual videogame market - a situation that bodes well for those of us who want our children and grandchildren to have more experiences of kindness, generosity and rapport.

Read more at Benefits of Video Games.