Here are a few interesting facts about video games from the Entertainment Software Association, the leading trade association for the industry:

• Fifty percent of all Americans age six and older play computer and video games.
• The average age of a game player is 29 years old.
• 39% of game players are women
• Computer and video game software sales grew to $7.3 billion in 2004 and are expected to show strong growth over the next few years.
• In 2003, more than 239 million computer and video games were sold, or almost two games for every household in America.
• All games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and 63 % of games are rated “E” for Everyone.
• 70% of the top 20 best selling games in 2003 were rated “E” for everyone or “T” for teen
• Ninety-two percent of all games are purchased by adults over the age of 18.
• 96% of parents with children under 18 said they are paying attention to the content of the computer and video games their children play
• 60% of parents play interactive games with their kids at least once a month. Almost sixty percent of frequent game players play with friends, 33% play with siblings and about one-quarter play with spouse and/or parents.

Take a minute to consider these statistics and how they correspond with your thoughts on games and the people who play them. One thing about them is indisputable. There are a lot of gamers out there and they’re not going away anytime soon.