ELSPA MD Michael Rawlinson has singled out the popularity of family-based gaming as the key force behind 2008’s market growth.

Game sales in 2008 leapt 23 per cent compared to 2007, and Rawlinson believes the popularity of titles such as Wii Fit has opened the market up to an entirely new audience.

“It is encouraging to see that the popularity of video games continues to grow year-on-year,” he said.

“More than ever, video gaming is increasingly bringing families together with the introduction of so many outstanding family-based console titles. These have really opened up the market to those who may never have even considered playing a video game before.”

Total sales of video game software and hardware for 2008 reached £4.031 billion, which means the video game market has doubled over the last five years.