Showing posts with label playstation 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playstation 3. Show all posts

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Online Games Have Gained Popularity Across the Globe

According to a study on consumer spending from Newzoo, a research firm determined that the total budget of U.S. gamers (aged eight and above) is a staggering $25.3 billion. Newzoo reported that the remaining 54 percent of the budget goes to new game retail. The data was provided by Gamasutra, a company that specializes in online games.


The research firm also determined that 46 percent of that budget goes to the used game trade, virtual currency, digital distribution, and other virtual economic needs. The firm conducted a study of 13,000 online gamers and determined that the U.S. claims 183.5 million gamers. The study was done in conjunction with TNS, as part of the 2009 Gamers Survey. TNS is a leader in global market research.


Globally, console games consume over half of the money spent on video games. However, Germany, which has a very strong PC market, is an exception. Newzoo's survey also reported that U.S online gamers spent a whopping $15 million on home and handheld software. PC games followed with $4.15 billion spent total. Game portals claimed $2.78 billion, mobile devices $1.1 billion, and MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Onliners) $2.12 million. MMO games support literally hundreds of thousands of players at the same time.


For most, MMO games are played across the Internet by necessity. However, newer game consoles like PSP, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 can access the Internet and can therefore run MMO games. In addition, some mobile devices and smartphones can also access MMO games.


Traditional, new retail games have gained popularity in European markets. For example, in Belgium, packaged retail games account for approximately 59 percent of online gamers' budgets. In Germany, retail games account for 62, the UK claims 64 percent, the Netherlands accounts for 69 percent, and France claims 78 percent.