Sophie Falkiner Family Gaming Interview

Do You Know The Benefits Of Gaming With Kids?

Sophie has teamed up with PlayStation Australia to show parents across the nation how they can create fun quality time that everyone will enjoy, with the new PlayLink range including SingStar Celebration, Knowledge is Power and That's You!.

Just in time for the school holidays, the new PlayLink range offers interactive and inclusive entertainment allowing up to six players to join the fun by simply syncing their smartphone or tablet device to a TV and PS4 – making it the perfect option for entertaining kids and their friends.

No Way?!

The top reasons parents turn to video games is to spend time with their children (48%), have fun with the whole family (44%) and because their children have requested to play with them (36%).

Over three quarters (76%) of children under the age of 18 play video games - same-room social game play is most popular with a child (60%), a partner (33%) and friends (23%).

Almost all Australian households (97%) with children have computer games.

The most common same-room play is with a child (60 per cent), a partner (33 per cent) and friends (23 per cent)

Interview with Sophie Falkiner

Question: How will your family be gaming, this summer?

Sophie Falkiner: This summer I will be using the PlayLink for PS4 range to spend quality time with my son and daughter. The range has been designed to encourage social play with friends and family, allowing up to six people to join the fun by simply syncing their smartphone or tablet device with a TV and PlayStation 4 console.

My personal favourite game is SingStar Celebrations; it's all about the battle of the ballads in my household this summer!


Question: What are the benefits you've found to game with your kids?

Sophie Falkiner: I don't like my kids being on screens alone and that's why I love PlayLink – it's the opposite of being anti-social. It's the perfect way to wind down after a big day and is an easy and inclusive activity that the whole family can enjoy. Interestingly, research from the Digital Australia Report 2018 supports this idea. Gaming plays a key role in Australian family life, with the majority of families (over 80 per cent) reaching for the controller to spend time together and almost half using video games to have family fun.


Question: Why is it okay to keep our littlies entertained with games this festive season?

Sophie Falkiner: I am a huge believer that moderation is key for everything in life. As a busy Mum of two, gaming is a great way for me to keep my kids entertained over the summer break – it's fun, wallet friendly and thanks to PlayLink, keeps the brain firing over the holidays.

I've also found that there's a lot you can learn from kids when gaming, so make sure to play with them! Ask them questions about what they're playing, creating and why they're having fun.


Question: What's the best part about the PlayLink game range?

Sophie Falkiner: The PlayLink range is social gaming made for everyone. The games are really easy to pick up and play, especially for those that enjoy playing games but haven't spent a lot of time getting comfortable with a PlayStation controller. Everyone knows how to use their phone!

And with the games themselves, there's truly something for everyone. The range has everything from game-show styled trivia games, to detective crime thrillers – when the kids aren't putting their brains to the test with Knowledge is Power, I have a ball putting my vocal cords to the test with SingStar Celebrations!

Question: What are your current favourite PlayStation family games?

Sophie Falkiner: Other than the new PlayLink range, my favourite PlayStation family game at the moment is Knack 2. It's a fun, pick-up-and-play adventure with great puzzle gameplay. The best thing is this game allows players of all ages and skill levels to complete the game and the two-player co-op mode means you can play with your kids.


Question: What's your PlayStation wish-list, this Christmas?

Sophie Falkiner: My biggest wish-list item is the new Orange Sunset DualShock 4 controller – I want to have my own controller to pick up and play with my kids when I'm playing Co-op on Knack 2.

There's so much on offer with PlayStation for families this Christmas, there's truly something for everyone. If you're giving a PlayStation 4 owner a gift but don't know what game to get them, a PlayStation Store Wallet Top-Up is a gift card that they can redeem on the PlayStation Store. This will allow for them to pick and choose a game that downloads directly onto their console. Or they can use it across some of the great entertainment services on PlayStation such as Spotify or PlayStation Video.


Question: Are you able to share your top tips for taking on the kids with the PlayLink games?

Sophie Falkiner: Look, I can get competitive, but it's all a bit of fun! Though if you do want to win the next round of SingStar Celebrations, practice singing with the game when you're next home alone – this will allow you to fine-tune your vocal chords, especially if you don't want anyone to hear you miss those high notes! I might actually invite my girlfriends over for a night in. Everybody loves a bit of Karaoke (in the comfort of your living room!).


Interview by Brooke Hunter