Data from a new report on the European gaming market, released by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) shows continued strong growth across the board on the continent. The comprehensive report was conducted in fifteen European markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, and shows that sales levels continue to increase and indicate strong future growth for the industry there.

The report also noted the continued broadening of the social demographics of gamers: individuals between the ages of 16 and 49 admitted that they play games nearly as often as they socialize with friends and family or watch television.

What could be argued as the most important fact contained within the report is that software sales in nine separate European markets extended over the $11 billion mark, a 25% increase over the previous year. The United Kingdom remains the biggest market, at $3.6 billion, followed by France at $2.5 billion, Germany at $2.2 billion, Spain at $1.1 billion, and Italy at $0.9 billion.

In closing, the chairman of the ISFE board, Jens Uwe Intat, stated the following: "Our research findings cement…that video games hold a recognized place in today’s entertainment culture. The people that are video gaming today are of all ages, of both genders and of all nationalities."