DFC Intelligence's new Online Game Market Forecasts report estimates that overall worldwide revenue for online games (for both PC and consoles) will grow from $15.7 billion in 2010 to nearly $29 billion in 2016. DFC said this includes revenue from subscriptions, online usage, online advertising in games and digital downloads.
The PC is positioned as the clear leader when it comes to online gaming. In fact, online game revenue for the PC is expected to be near $23 billion in 2016. This, of course, is being driven in large part by social networks like Facebook, which is also helping to expand the reach of PC games globally. DFC also noted that "consumer acceptance of new business models such as buying digital goods continues to grow at a rapid pace." The sales from subscriptions, online usage and virtual items is expected to increase 75% from 2010 to reach nearly $17 billion by 2016.
DFC Intelligence analyst David Cole commented, “Our overall forecasts for the online game industry have increased slightly. However, we have lowered our forecasts for online games on consoles and raised our forecasts for online games via the PC."
He added, “The Wii U is the only new console system on the horizon and Nintendo has never had a major focus on online games. More importantly the short lifecycle and fragmented nature of console hardware can make it hard for companies to try creative new business models." DFC also pointed out that hacking attacks on services like PSN is "likely to mean manufacturers and distributors in the console space take a more conservative attitude."
