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Holiday Shopping Season Kicks Off with Strong Computer and Video Game Sales


WEBWIRE

Shoppers Recognize Games’ Great Family Entertainment Value

WASHINGTON, DC — Computer and video games topped budget-minded shoppers’ gift lists as the holiday shopping season kicked off this previous weekend. Nielsen Online reported strong Internet sales with consumer electronics leading Black Friday sales. On Cyber Monday, Nielson’s research showed that toys/video games were the second fastest growing product category. Online sales of toys and video games grew 112 percent over the previous Monday, November 24, 2008. The National Retail Federation said in-store sales were also brisk with an estimated 39 percent of in-store shoppers buying books, DVDs, CDs and video games and more than 35 percent purchasing consumer electronics.

“Computer and video game sales are off to a strong start this holiday shopping season,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers. “Both adults and children are asking for games this year and shoppers are responding because games provide unparalleled entertainment and economic value for the entire family.”

According to a holiday spending survey conducted by PSB (Penn, Schoen and Berland) Associates in November, video games ranked fourth on consumers’ list of top 10 holiday gifts. And a survey of 1,000 children conducted by Weekly Reader for Game Crazy found 90 percent of 8-17 year olds asked for at least one video game this year.

Shoppers seem to be turning to video games because they provide a great entertainment value. For about the cost for a family of four to go to a movie, a shopper can find the perfect game that will amuse children and adults again and again, long after the holiday season passes. Sports and action games have especially high “replay” values because they offer multiple levels, characters and alternate endings. And by using the tools provided by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) parents can choose games that are appropriate for their families.

The Entertainment Software Association is the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. The ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers including a global anti-piracy program, owning the E3 Expo, business and consumer research, federal and state government relations, First Amendment and intellectual property protection efforts. For more information, please visit www.theESA.com.



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