PC gaming is bigger than ever - and likely bigger than Wii+PS3+360 in 2007

[Loud_Hot_White_Box]

shio said:

(Taken from Neogaf)

At GC in Leipzig, the PC Gaming Alliance releases its "Horizons" report

- PC gaming was a $10.7 billion industry in 2007
- Previous reports show that $8.3 billion comes from non-casual games
- Therefore, casual games is a $2.4 billion market
- Only 30% of sales come from retail
- $2 billion from digital distribution (Steam, D2D, etc.)
- $4.8 billion from online gaming (WoW, other MMOs) - previous evidence shows WoW at $1.1 billion.

“Our analysis clearly shows incredible growth in online PC gaming, proof that this industry is far stronger than anyone has reported,” said Stude. “Today’s consumers shop where they live - online.”

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A total of $2 billions in Digital Distribution is HUGE. If the average game is sold at $30, then it means that over 65 millions PC games were sold online but not accounted for.

Interesting, and I fully expect very big MMORPGs with monthly charges to start appearing on PS3, since the PS3 affords devs the freedom to charge customers and make the decisions about their game unlike XBL.