The market for online gaming will continue to grow rapidly – doubling over the next 4 years.
MMOG will remain the largest segment of the overall market, but over the longer term, broadband games-on-demand services are expected to make a larger contribution. Pay-per-play browser gaming is the hottest of the new online gaming sub- sectors.
This report looks at 5 key sectors of the online gaming market:
– Browser and browser plug-in online games
– Massively multi player online games (MMOG)
– Boxed product PC games featuring free online play
– Online games technology and service providers
– Digital games delivery (including games-on-demand)
MAIN FINDINGS
– The total market for online games will double between 2004 and 2007
– Growth is currently being driven by pay-per-play browser gaming and by massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) Pay-per-play gaming is expected to grow at a compound rate of 40% between now and 2007
– Hardcore online gaming remains predominantly a male activity, but growth within the casual gaming market is being driven by women.
– Europe will be the biggest growth market for MMOGs as the US market reaches saturation point.
