Videogame revenue to reach $57 billion in 2009

Wii expected to be best-selling next-gen console

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 6/30/2008

JUNE 30 | The worldwide videogame business will reach $57 billion in revenue in 2009, largely escaping any negative impact from today’s soft economy, according to DFC Intelligence forecasts.

That figure spans game hardware and software sales within the console, portable and PC platform categories. Currently, there are 11 countries that enjoy annual game revenue in excess of $1 billion.

Game hardware can cost hundreds of dollars per system, but consumers continue to view videogame titles as reasonably priced products, said DFC analysts.

“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 DFC analyst David Cole.

All three next-generation consoles will enjoy wins. The Wii will prove the best-selling console of this generation, according to DFC. But the PlayStation 3 will equal the Wii in annual software sales by 2012. The Xbox 360 will remain a top player in some markets, including the U.S. and the U.K.

The PC market also is still robust, even with so much marketing hype around the new consoles. In fact, the No. 1 game platform in 2007 was the PC, said DFC, citing Online Game Market Forecasts. Total PC game revenue is expected to reach $19 billion by 2013.