SYDNEY October 22, 2008 – A recent Fable 2 Study*commissioned by Xbox Australia has unveiled Australian opinions towards the fundamental nature of human kind, revealing nearly a third of young Australians (30% of those aged between 16 and 24) hold the opinion that you can judge a person’s character based purely on their appearance.
Study findings also show that Australians essentially consider themselves to be good at heart, with nine in ten claiming they would choose to do good rather than bad deeds, even if there were no consequences.
The Fable 2 study delves into some of the classic questions that have plagued philosophers, thinkers and writers for thousands of years and links into the upcoming video game’s dynamic plot that revolves around choices and the consequences that can result. Fable 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Fable for the Xbox 360 where players can determine their destiny based on the actions they take.
The debate of whether Australians are generally good or bad has revealed a split between the morals of young and old with three times the number of young people considering themselves to be “bad” and would choose to do bad deeds if there were no consequences, in comparison to those over the age of 35 years (14% of Australians aged 18-34 years old in comparison to 5% of those over the age of 35 years).
Perhaps linked to this “bad” tag, nearly half (48%) of Australia’s youth have a deep mistrust in others, taking the belief that most people would try to take advantage of them if they could.
“The Fable 2 Study also reveals the battle of the sexes is alive and well with Australian women just as inclined to stray to the dark side if there were no consequences,” said Andrew Jenkins, self proclaimed ‘bad’ man and Xbox Product Marketing Manager for games and LIVE (8% for both men and women).
Further findings of the Fable 2 Study include:
Does money breed badness? Nearly double the number of respondents earning over $40,000 think they are predominantly bad in comparison to those who make less than $40,000 (9% vs. 4%)
More than double the number of Australians aged over 50 believe that a person is inherently good or bad – the Fable 2 study shows that the older you get, the greater this belief is (18% amongst those aged over 50 years, 11% of those aged 35 to 49 years and 8% of those aged 16-34 years)
· Over two in three Australians (69%) believe your decisions determine your life’s path with only one in five of the opinion that their future is in the hands of fate
It’s all in the stars according to one in three of Australia’s unemployed – almost double the number of those unemployed believes in fate in comparison to those employed (30% unemployed vs. 17% employed)
It seems the nature vs. nurture debate has been decided with 77% of the nation believing that a person’s upbringing and experiences determine whether they become good or bad. Parents in NSW are under the most pressure with four in five residents of the state believing a child’s upbringing will shape its future behaviour as an adult.
“The results of the Fable 2 Study are closely aligned with the Fable 2 role playing format, which allows you to live a life of your own design. We can see from the Fable 2 Study results that Australians are taking charge and making choices that not only affect their life’s path but also the strength of their character, much like the characters in the Fable 2 game,” said Andrew Jenkins.
The Fable 2 Study coincides with the impending arrival of Xbox’s eagerly anticipated next instalment to the Fable franchise, Fable 2, which hits stores nationally on 23 October, 2008.
For more information about Fable 2 please visit www.xbox.com.au/fable2