DFC: Market To Reach $57 Billion In 2009

Analysts from market research group DFC Intelligence have released a new series of reports forecasting that the worldwide market for video games will reach a revenue value of $57 billion in 2009, including both console hardware and software and PC software. In the reports, DFC Intelligence indicates that there are now eleven countries worldwide with annual video game revenue in excess of $1 billion. Analyst David Cole also suggests that a feared decline in software sales due to a slumping world recovery have not materialized. “Consumer spending on software is at record levels and the game business seems to actually benefit from a recession because games are a relatively cheap form of home entertainment," said Cole. The company has also reiterated its assertion that the Wii will be the number one selling console of the generation, although the PlayStation 3 is expected to equal it in annual software sales by 2012. Although the Xbox 360 is expected to come in third in overall worldwide sales, it is still predicted to be a “leading player” in the U.S. and UK. However, the leading platform for video games in 2007 remained the PC, with an estimated online revenue total of $7 billion - not including retails sales. DFC predicts that total PC game revenue will reach $19 billion by 2013. "With multiple platforms establishing healthy installed bases there is a growing need to look at potential sales on a given platform based on not just aggregate hardware sales, but also game type," comments analyst Jeremy Miller in a separate report. "The Wii not only has unique features and a broad demographic appeal, but Nintendo is dominant as a software publisher. For many third party publishers this means they will have much greater success on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, even if Wii sales continue to be strong," he added.