BY THE end of this year one in four households will own a PlayStation2, according to a study of the computer games industry.

An estimated 7.1 million families will own a PlayStation2 by the end of December, up from 5.4 million last year. That will take the penetration of the market leading console from 21 per cent to 25 per cent of the population.

Although revenues generated from games consoles is declining year on year — as price cuts reduce revenues — the statistics still demonstrate how far computer games have become embedded in everyday life.

Ben Keen, chief analyst at Screen Digest, which compiled the study, said: “In each market cycle, the number of customers has grown. Since 2000, with the launch of PlayStation2, the number of consoles sold has increased by 18 per cent.”

Sony’s console is by far Britain’s most popular. Its main rival, Microsoft’s Xbox, is owned by 1.7 million households — four times below the penetration achieved by PlayStation2.

Times Recommends

• Minister in talks with Saudis to protect creditors
• Premier Inn hits back in £29-a-room row
• Bankers hit back at 'populist' bonus supertax