As you may have noticed the games industry is suffering from a bit of a decline in revenue these days, but according to analysts DFC things are going to take a turn for the better. But first we are in for a couple of tough years, and they estimate things won't turn around fully until 2013. The estimated global revenue for 2009 was $60.4 billion, but it will get worse before it gets better.
DFC analyst David Cole added:
"The overall game industry is expected to undergo a decline as more consumers embrace online business models, many of which involve a significant free to play component. These models may be more profitable than the traditional packaged goods business, but in the short term they provide less revenue."
Interestingly enough DFC pinpoints "a slowdown in the current console systems from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony" as one of the main reasons for the decline. Interesting, since none of the hardware manufacturers seems eager to launch new hardware. In fact, Microsoft's and Sony's launches of Natal and Move are aimed to prolong the current console generation.
<bild>Or is Project Natal the saviour the industry needs?</bild>