Reference 6.
However, it is still a debated topic amongst concerned individuals in the political arena. .
-Economic.
The fluctuating Australian dollar causes some concern about the stability of the market. Consumer confidence has taken a downturn as a result and is currently at its lowest since 1993. This instability also causes prices to fluctuate, as most specialized gaming hardware will need to be imported from overseas markets and primarily the United States. .
Reference 5.
However, consumers are fairly optimistic about the long-term Australian economy and a potential changeover of governments in an upcoming election may bolster consumer confidence and improve the Australian dollar.
Even with the decline of consumer confidence and downturn in the Australian economy, Online shopping by Australians is on the increase. 1.3 million Australian adults received products or goods and services via online shopping over a year period in 2000, a large increase from the 803,000 adults who used online shopping in the same period in 1999.
Reference 8.
-Social/Cultural.
Over half of the households in Australia now have a home computer (3.8 million households) and according to a survey in 1998, most home computer use is for games, some 3 million persons. That figure will have increased by now as only 2.9 million households had a computer then (February 1998).
And more Australians are connecting to the Internet all the time. One third of Australian homes now have Internet Access (2.3 million households).
Reference 7.
This combination of computer gaming use and Internet access is precisely the social trend that compliments this website. .
-Technological.
The fast pace of technological improvements to computers and computer games is a positive environment for this website venture. Most hardcore gamers are early adopters of new computer technology as it enables them bragging rights to other gamers and is a part of their competitive nature.
