With all three consoles offering online connectivity to varying degrees, it's more important than ever for publishers to take advantage of the online features, according to a new report from San Diego-based Electronic Entertainment Design and Research.
As reported by Reuters, video games with online components – specifically those that enable users to play one another online – apparently can generate more than twice the revenue as those played offline. In addition, games that offer some kind of multiplayer capability tend to make nearly 25 percent more revenue than those without.
"Developers who are not embracing online opportunities to a greater level are leaving money on the table," commented Geoffrey Zatkin, president and chief operating officer of Electronic Entertainment Design and Research.
The study looked at the Wii, 360 and PS3 from their respective launches through June 1 of this year. About 219 retail titles and 187 downloadable games were examined. The results demonstrate that Xbox 360 is clearly the most connected of the three, with 77 percent of the games incorporating some sort of online functionality. The PS3 meanwhile had 67 percent of its titles online. [Note: Reuters originally wrote 23 percent for PS3 but has since corrected its story - Ed.] Lastly, the Wii had only two percent of its titles online – but that certainly hasn't hurt the platform's success so far as we've all witnessed.
One of the reasons online is so important of course is that it opens up the door for further revenue opportunities, including microtransactions for downloadable content, whole downloadable games, and further exposure to dynamic advertising.
Earlier this year, ABI Research said that the market for console micropayments alone will account for over $833 million by 2011, "as console vendors and their publisher partners look to monetize both in-game and game-related assets beyond initial game purchases."
by James Brightman
source:gamedaily.com
