Digital distribution portal GamersGate recently conducted a user survey and provided the results exclusively to IndustryGamers. The results are interesting since they show an increasing shift to a digital marketplace. Admittedly, it's limited to the GamersGate customer base and these are people who are already accustomed to buying games digitally, but these consumers are representative of a change in consumer attitudes when it comes to digital vs. retail.
Of those surveyed, 69% said that more than 56% of their purchases are digital (as compared to physical) and 48% say they will spend even more on digital in the next 12 months. Interestingly, 52% spent $0 on console gaming in the past year, 20% spent more than $120 on console gaming, and only 2% say they'll spend more on physical retail. 91% of all participants said they have purchased from a digital retailer before and the strong majority name GamersGate, Steam, and Direct2Drive as the three best.
"The data... paints a picture of consumers that know specifically what they want from a digital distribution service. Looking at the future purchasing plans coupled with the 100%+ growth we've had over the course of the last year, its becoming even more clear that the tipping point for a complete retail shift to digital is getting closer and closer," commented Theodore Bergquist, CEO of GamersGate.
In terms of demographic data, 92% are male, 67% are age 30 or below, and 29% of the user base is comprised of students. The survey was based on over 1000 replies, was open to any GamersGate user, and there was no incentive to participate.
7 Comments
December 17, 2009
"The results are interesting since they show an increasing shift to a digital marketplace".
"these consumers are representative of a change in consumer attitudes when it comes to digital vs. retail."
Neither of these is even REMOTELY supportable based on this data. This poll is about as scientific as something you'd find on Glen Beck.
Let's up the journalistic standards, we're not all on holiday yet.
December 17, 2009
Yeah, I have to agree with innerloop. The reason for the $0 on console games is simply because a majority of their user base is hardcore PC gamers. Now if 52% would have said that they spent $0 in physical stores for ANY games, I'd be a little more impressed. I'd be more interested to see Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo do a similar poll.
December 17, 2009
When 69% say that more than 56% of their purchases are digital right now and 48% say they will spend even more on digital in the next 12 months, that to me seems to indicate an increasing shift to digital. You're right, it's not the most scientific poll because it's limited to just GamersGate, and I acknowledge that in the first para. The point I'm making is whether it's GamersGate, Steam, Xbox Live, PSN or whatever, digital is becoming a bigger and bigger force. I'd love to see a poll about this based on a much wider base of gamers, including XBL and PSN users.
December 17, 2009
Sure, when a random statistical sampling of ALL gamers say those things, then you'll have something!
The cost to conduct a scientific poll through one of reputable firms isn't as much as you might think. Might be nice to poll on some burning industry questions like this and get some exclusive data that really matters.
But until then, remember the old saying, "Beware PR flaks bearing data..."
December 17, 2009
PC gamers buy PC games digitally. Big surprise there. Seriously now . . . where else are they gonna get them? Stores barely stock PC games these days. Steam, gamersgate, direct2drive, and others are taking over.
December 18, 2009
I totally agree with Speculawyer, as a part time associate at a retail electronics store, I can verify that the PC Gaming section is like no mans land. Its shoved off in a corner and is lucky if the boxes are straightened. For us, the money is in console games, and if the game is not the next big hit (COD4MW2), or a casual game, we don't stock it. Besides Amazon, I get all my PC games from Steam, and when I say Amazon, I'm talking 2 titles this year. Frankly, I enjoy the ease of download titles, and the ability to have access to my games at more than one location.
December 18, 2009
I'm a predominant console gamer who has only downloaded one game(not counting free arcade games) thru XBL this entire year. I would much rather pay for a retail copy of a game and if theres a choice between that and a downloadable copy(such as Episodes From Liberty City) I'll go with the retail copy every single time.
As others have said, a download-only future is only rapidly approaching for pc gamers. Console gamers like myself would never go for download-only games, especially since the publishers still charge full retail for them despite not offering a box, manual or physical disc. The day consoles go download -only is the day I stop keeping up with current gen games and focus solely on my backlog of 700+ games for 12+ systems.