Matt Greenop of the nzherald.co.nz has written a great article about the misconception around gamers – referencing our INZ10 report.  To read the story, click here

Tuesday 17 August 2010, Dr Jeff Brand appears on Breakfast TVNZ discussing some of the key results from the INZ10 report.

To watch the report, click here

In yet another great feature by Laura Parker over at GameSpot AU, she checks in with the Labor Party, the Coalition, and the Greens to gauge their views on four important gaming-related issues in an effort to help you decide who will get your vote on August 21. GameSpot is also going to help you make your voice heard, with an e-mail form that you can send directly to your current Federal member letting that member know you’re a gamer and you’re an important part of the political spectrum. So read on to find out each party’s views, and then head on over to their automated form to send your letter and get politically involved!

Check it out here.

August 2010 – the latest newsletter from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) in the US provides a brief outline of some recent studies which were unddertaken by Dr Christopher Ferguson of Texas A&M Universtiy which called into question research findings that perpetuate some of the misconceptions about computer and video games.

In June, the Review of General Psychology published Dr. Ferguson’s study titled “Blazing Angels or Resident Evil? Can Violent Video Games be a Force for Good?” Ferguson conducted an in-depth analysis of existing research on the impact of violent video game play on aggressive behavior. He found that many of these studies were marred by inconsistent findings or weak methodology and had not been sufficiently scrutinized by the broader scientific community. He also noted that the violent crime rate has dropped dramatically at the same time that video games have gained in popularity, suggesting that “the violent video game issue is a crusade in search of a crisis.”

To read on, click here

As reported by Jason Hill at Screenplay, a package of free online games for children with autism has received an accolade in the Victorian Government’s 2010 Premier’s Design Awards.

Whizkid Games was created by a group of final year multimedia design students from Swinburne’s Faculty of Design in collaboration with Swinburne’s National eTherapy Centre (NeTC) and Bulleen Heights Autism School.  Whizkid Games aims to help autistic children learn life skills. Focusing on areas such as coping with change, recognising emotions and non-verbal communication, the 16 therapeutic games are themed around everyday activities such as getting dressed, going to school and following a schedule.

To read the article, click here

Tuesday 13 July 2010, the program Close Up on TVNZ featured a story about the revolution about to take place in the gaming industry.  To watch the story, click here

The former Premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie, has written an Opinion piece for the Australian lending support to the R18+ debate.  Peter has recognised the contribution that games make to the Australian economy and entertainment in general and suggests it’s time to make an R18+ rating a reality.  To read this piece, click here

As reported at smh.com.au, some Australian Companies are following their American and British counterparts, and turning to game developers to help create recruitment, marketing and training programs that are fun, engaging adn cost efficient.

Some of these companies that have commissioned these serious games include ASIO, McDonalds and the NRMA.  To find out more click here

As reported by Amy Coderoy on smh.com.au, an innovative program developed by Neuroscience Research Australia involves the use of computer games, such as Wii Sports, to help stroke victims gain back speech and movement.  To learn more, click here.

As reported at the Australian,  Microsoft has sought $125,000 in compensation as part of  an anti-piracy sting from a software trader who has been selling Microsoft product illegally. 

To find out more, click here.