That number seems awfully high, doesn't it?  No wonder gaming addiction is becoming a problem.

Research firm NPD Group is saying there's a lot of gamers out there and the numbers are growing. According to its latest survey conducted earlier this year, 72 percent of people play video games, up from 64 percent in 2006.

The report, which surveyed more than 20,000 NPD consumer panelists, shows that overall gaming -- whether it's hardcore PC, mobile, casual online or console -- is a huge pastime for Americans.

Source: sfgate.com

One of the reasons for the surge is the increased availability of games. If you want a new title, no longer do you have to head to a store; you can have it immediately via sites like Direct2Download.

Valve and Ubisoft, for example, just pencilled a deal to offer dozens of their games online:

Valve and Ubisoft have announced a new agreement that will soon deliver more than 40 of the publishers games to North American customers via the Steam digital distribution service.

Big name IP like Assassin's Creed are immediately available for pre-purchase, and other titles like Heroes of Might & Magic, Far Cry and the Tom Clancy series are forthcoming over the next few weeks.

Source: pcworld.com

Could this be the beginning of the end for consoles?