clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk UK sales of games will outstrip music and video for the first time in 2008, says a report from Verdict Research.
A huge shift in consumer attitudes has turned video games into the UK's most popular form of entertainment, say the retail analysts.
It predicts spending on games will rise by 42% to £4.64bn in 2008, with sales on music and video at £4.46bn.
The good news for game makers in the report was balanced by grim tidings for high street retailers.
"The music and video market is not just suffering from a slowing of growth but a massive transfer of spend to online," says Malcolm Pinkerton of Verdict Research.
In contrast, video games spending has enjoyed explosive growth, with the launch of major new titles such as Grand Theft Auto IV and FIFA 08, and the Nintendo Wii continuing to broaden the appeal of games.