Wireless gaming is set to become a mass-market phenomenon in the US, with a third of wireless subscribers expected to be gaming by 2008, according to a new report from IDC.
The group forecasts that the number of wireless gamers will rise from 7.9% of all subscribers in 2003 to 34.7%, or 65.2 million users, by 2008. Over the last twelve months, wireless games have topped the list of entertainment applications downloaded to mobile phones, according to the report.
“In 2003, US wireless carriers cleared a major hurdle in delivering wireless games to subscribers, demonstrating that wireless gaming is a viable business,” says Dana Thorat, senior research analyst in IDC’s Wireless and Mobile Communications service. “In the next twelve months, carriers plan to aggressively promote wireless games to their subscribers.”
IDC says that the key to wireless game success has been mostly related to strong brand and game title recognition, with 2003’s most popular downloads including Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Eidos’ Lara Croft Tomb Raider.
The report says that for carriers, getting to market quickly with compelling game titles is the key to unlocking the new revenue opportunities of the wireless gaming sector.
Earlier this year The Research Room forecast that global wireless gaming revenues would hit $41.3 billion by 2007 (see Wireless Gaming Set For Growth Spurt).
