Asia/Pacific online gaming market topped 1 bln usd in 2004 - IDC

The Asia Pacific region excluding Japan saw online games subscription revenue reach 1.09 bln usd last year, up 30 pct from 2003, IDC said. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 19.7 between 2005 and 2009, more than doubling in size by 2009, IDC said in a statement. "The online gaming market has been on a dramatic growth path, gaining the numbers in terms of gamers and blazing trails in the development of new business models, content and usage patterns," said IDC senior analyst Jun-Fwu Chin. South Korea continued to be the largest online game market in the region with subscription revenue of 533.4 mln usd, representing a 24.8 pct share of the market, IDC said. China was the next largest, recording 298 mln usd in subscription revenue last year. No comparative figures were given for China's growth. Revenue is expected to increase through 2005-2009, with virtual items and downloadable games contributing higher proportions of revenue. However, growth in casual online gaming, which has lower monthly fees than massively multiplayer online role playing games, will slow subscription revenue growth from 2005-2009.

Source: Xinhua Financial Network (XFN) News

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