Radio 1 - "Gaming can be force for social good"

Radio 1 games chap Johnny Minkley's claimed the old stereotype of gaming as the preserve of apathetic children could obscure the truth that the medium can be a "force for social good".

"As long as we think of gamers as spotty, slack-jawed boys in dark rooms, then we'll be blind to what gaming can be - a force for social good, a tool of self-expression, a medium through which people can reach out across barriers of age, sex and culture to cooperate, share, express themselves and, yes, have fun," he said on the UK radio station.

Minkley cited eye-tracking tech for paraplegics, among other pieces of research, as proof games can be a benefit.

"What if you can't even hold a joypad? One of the most amazing things that I've come across this year is the chairty Special Effect, set up to help kids with disabilities enjoy gaming just like anyone else," said the presenter.

"Through the use of cutting-edge, eye-reading techniology, even those paralysed from the neck-down are able to play games with their friends as equals.

"The freedom, independence, boost to self-esteem and, above all, fun this brings is priceless."

Hit this for the full thing. Listen from about 1.26.