And I suspect this is precisely the age group being targetted by MS.I also think the proportion of kids playing violent games is disturbing, especially since a large number of them are rated M for mature. Oh, I worry about this generation.

Though the graphics of course weren't as good / realistic at the time a played quite a few shooters at that age. I have so far managed to stay away from a life of violent crime (or any other kind of crime for that matter). The same goes for most other people my age I know. (I say most, because there are also those who didn't play shooters when they were younger, not because any of them are involved in crime). Then again even Socrates (ca. 400 BC) worried about 'this generation', so I guess it's something of all ages.

Before all the Flight nay sayers get too excited, the survey shows that 21% 0f the children approved. Given that there are about 12 million children in the age range 13 – 15 in the USA that’s about 2.5 million. Also it’s a dynamic market because there’s new cohort of children arriving every year. http://www.census.gov/population/www/pop-profile/files/dynamic/AgeSex.pdf22%

Edited February 11, 201214 yr by mgh

that’s about 2.5 million.

and if only 2% buy the expansion pack at 20bucks that's already 1million just in the USA

Why do you feel that Flight was targeted at 13 to 15 year olds?

According to the

2011 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry, 42% of the gaming audience is female, with women 18 and older now make up a larger portion of gamers than boys 17 and younger.

If MS was trying to attract the largest number of gamers, Flight would not be targeted at 14 year olds. My demographic group would actually be a much better choice.

You make the usual mistake that non-statisticians make when using survey numbers: There is no single game with the statisctics you mention!What there is is a number of different games in different categories, each with its own set of statistics.For the ESA Survey results to be applicable to flight simming/gaming, you would have to only inlcude the survey results for games similar to Flight.Think of it: The age group statistic you are using includes the age groups for "The Sims" and for lots of violent FPS games, none of which share much at all with Flight simulation/gaming.Cheers,- jahman.

Edited February 11, 201214 yr by jahman

Also

You make the usual mistake that non-statisticians make when using survey numbers: There is no single game with the statisctics you mention!

The average US household size is 2.6. There is no single household with that number. Nevertheless it is a useful statiistic, despite the opinions of some non-statisticians,.The ESA report referred to also has some very interesting information.The average age of games players (video and computer) is 37 years, broken down as:18% under 18 years53% 18 - 49 years29% over 50 years (page 2)Further, in 2010 the total sales of computer (as opposed to video) games was 24.6 million (page 10). Of those, 1.5% were categorised as Flight games (page 8). That means that the total sales of all computer Flight games was about 370,000 a year. Page 9 lists the top 20 best selling computer game by units sold. Needless to say Flight Simulator doesn't appear in it.Is it any wonder that Microsoft changed direction with Flight?For the avoidance of doubt, Microsoft is a member of ESA.

Is it any wonder that Microsoft changed direction with Flight?

MS can change direction all it wants but the nature of Flight is, well, flying. It's not an FPS nor a Farmville.Tharefore what I said in my previous post still stands.Cheers,- jahman.PS: mgh, so far Josh Howard himself has twice said Flying is a frnachise! :(

I have 4 grandsons ages 11-13. Call Of Duty is the main game my oldest grandson plays. But, he rents games for the most part due to the cost. DLC is not at all something he can acquire without the help of an adult.

MS can change direction all it wants but the nature of Flight is, well, flying. It's not an FPS nor a Farmville.Tharefore what I said in my previous post still stands.Cheers,- jahman.PS: mgh, so far Josh Howard himself has twice said Flying is a frnachise! :(

Let us know when you have some evidence of the age breakdown of Flifght Simulator users. Until then I'll accept the ESA one, which is probably not far off.What's the significance in Joshua Howard calling Flight a franchise?

Let us know when you have some evidence of the age breakdown of Flifght Simulator users. Until then I'll accept the ESA one, which is probably not far off.

I have no idea and I don¡t need to know: Al I know is that in all likelihood the age breakdonw will not match what the ESA average is.

What's the significance in Joshua Howard calling Flight a franchise?

You've posted many times MS Flight Simualtor is not a franchise...Cheers,- jahman.

I have no idea and I don¡t need to know: Al I know is that in all likelihood the age breakdonw will not match what the ESA average is.You've posted many times MS Flight Simualtor is not a franchise...Cheers,- jahman.

I never said it would match, I said the ESA avarage is probably not far off. How far off do you think it will be?I don't recall saying Flight Simulator is not a franchise. Can you refresh my memory?

MW3 sucks, it's MW2 with new maps. Of course, these kids were prolly like 9 when MW2 came out, so i'm sure they love it.Give the kids who said minecraft candy. they deserve it.please pass out complimentary copies of skyrim so these children may be enlightened.

You make the usual mistake that non-statisticians make when using survey numbers: There is no single game with the statisctics you mention!

I took statistics in college. And I provided the link to the report I used, so if you needed more information, you can go there and read it.My point was that when many on you guys hear the word "game," you immediately think of teenagers. And, according to the statistics that I gave, they are no longer the largest demographic group that plays games.So what game category should we lump Flight in? The closest current game that I would link Flight with is FSX. And large numbers of teenagers are NOT rushing out to buy FSX.

PS: mgh, so far Josh Howard himself has twice said Flying is a frnachise!

Definition of Franchise: "A form of business organization in which a firm which already has a successful product or service (the franchisor) enters into a continuing contractual relationship with other businesses (franchisees) operating under the franchisor's trade name and usually with the franchisor's guidance, in exchange for a fee."This sounds a LOT like 3PD to me. Perhaps that is what he is alluding to.

You make the usual mistake that non-statisticians make when using survey numbers: There is no single game with the statisctics you mention!What there is is a number of different games in different categories, each with its own set of statistics.For the ESA Survey results to be applicable to flight simming/gaming, you would have to only inlcude the survey results for games similar to Flight.Think of it: The age group statistic you are using includes the age groups for "The Sims" and for lots of violent FPS games, none of which share much at all with Flight simulation/gaming.Cheers,- jahman.

well, total sales of ALL flying games in 2010 was 370,000.so, if flight sells 370,000 expansions, it's a game changer.

Unscientific is an understatement.#4 could have been stated a little differently....the way it is stated is called "leading the witness".Next time, video tape it. :(

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