Online Gaming Market to Continue Rapid Growth

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.