GAMES INDUSTRY WELCOMES EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT

Tuesday 26 October 2004/... The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, the industry body for computer and video games, has welcomed a new report that praises the positive impact that games have on children, encouraging their use in education. It confirms the message that the industry, along with many educationalists, have been promoting for over a decade.

Researchers at the Institute of Education at London University have been developing the report over the last three years. Today's findings, which have been partly financed by the DTI, confirm that games are good for a child's development. It also said that games development should be taught in schools, enabling children to become game makers as well as game players.

The research team noted that games entertain whilst promoting social development, and draws attention to game literacy as another means of representation, in the same way as writing or drawing. It also seeks to promote an understanding amongst parents and teachers that games are as culturally relevant as music, film and literature.

Roger Bennett, director general of ELSPA, said: "At a time of hysterical and inaccurate reporting it is heartening to see the cultural, social and educational value of computer and video games being assessed intelligently. Games are a part of life for people from five years old to 85 years old across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. They are produced by professionals with very sophisticated technology, with high production and creative values. Games contribute a huge amount to many many millions of people and are sold to the public in a responsible manner under a strict code of practise and ratings system in the UK.

"This report is further evidence, if it were needed, about the excellence and imagination that thrives in gaming. They have much to offer to the education of our children and they have much to offer as a career."

EDITORS NOTES

About ELSPA - http://www.elspa.com

ELSPA (The Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) was founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the computer and video games industry. Membership includes almost all companies concerned with the publishing and distribution of interactive leisure software in the UK.

ELSPA's activities include: Official Chart and Industry Reports, Anti-Piracy UK and EU, PR and Communication, Events. More information on all these activities can be found at http://www.elspa.com.

The UK Interactive Leisure Software Industry - Facts & Figures from ELSPA/Screen Digest/Chart-Track:

• The UK is a world centre for games development.

• In 2003, UK sales of video games, other leisure software products and games consoles topped £2 billion, for the second year running.

• Over 20,000 people are employed in the UK leisure software sector.

• The British games industry generated £494m of exports in 2003. 33% of all PS2 games bought in Europe originate in the UK (the same proportion as US originated products and ahead of Japan and any other country).