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Online gaming up 10% in 2010 - NPD

Industry tracking firm says PC tops Internet gaming, 360 most-played console; multiplayer gamers buy 20% of software as downloadable wares.

The NPD Group may not report digital sales as part of its monthly US sales recaps, but it still keeps tabs on the online gaming scene. As part of the results of a new market research study announced today, the industry-tracking firm found that online gaming has grown 10 percent since 2009.

Microsoft's console remains the most-played system in 2010.

Microsoft's console remains the most-played system in 2010.

The study, aptly titled Online Gaming 2010, also found that for the third consecutive year, those who play games online are increasingly purchasing their wares as digital downloads. Online gamers on average bought 20 percent of their software through digital distribution channels, up from 19 percent in 2009 and 18 percent in 2008, NPD found.

Online gaming statistics weren't all on the rise, though. NPD's study indicates that of the gamer population, 54 percent said they play games online, down from 56 percent in 2009 and 55 percent in 2008. Those gamers who do play online, though, are spending more time doing it. Online gaming increased to an average of eight hours per week in the 2010 study, up from 7.3 hours in 2009.

"While the percentage of the population that reports playing games has declined slightly, this study details other metrics, which point to both stability and growth in both online and offline gaming," commented NPD analyst Anita Frazier.

The PC remains the go-to online gaming platform, with 85 percent of respondents saying they use the desktop to play networked games. Some 48 percent of Xbox 360 gamers use the console for online gaming. Microsoft's console maintains a marked gap over the PlayStation 3 and Wii, where only 30 percent of gamers play online. The Xbox 360 also remains the most-played console at 7.3 hours per week, compared to 6.6 hours for PC gamers and 5.8 hours for the PS3.

70 Comments

  • 2bitSmOkEy

    Posted Mar 7, 2010 12:06 pm GMT

    If these stats were taken from world wide then the pc would smash absolutely every stat hands down. I have a feeling this is only from the us.

  • BasilVZero

    Posted Mar 6, 2010 12:22 am GMT

    Online is the future of gaming of course, so its no surprise.

  • force_user1975

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 4:08 pm GMT

    @M8ingSeezun
    So the other 50% which would be OVER 10 million are not. Plus I run a clan of older gamers where everyone is over 18. We run in a party together all the time, so we only communicate with each other. Plus there is the 8 person cross party chat.

  • falcOWNS

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 3:33 pm GMT

    online is fun, that is, if u dont run into a pottymouthing 13 year old that is "pWn1ng u n00bz!!!" -_- i swear, y do parents let these kids get MATURE games that were ment for MATURE people

  • Zain-Midori

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:28 pm GMT

    sweet

  • Justforfun44

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 2:14 pm GMT

    All you gamers complaining about foul mouthed kiddies on Xbox Live should take advantage of the tools Microsoft has given you to report the offenders. Microsoft made it easy to rate the gamers you play with so if someone offends you with foul language then report them and make the Xbox Live service better.

  • M8ingSeezun

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:07 pm GMT

    @force_user1975
    50% of those who game online with 360 are foul mouth Teenyboppers who started gaming with the original Xbox. Teenyboppers and kiddies practically outnumber the older gamers, like myself who prefer SP games. Many older gamers have left gaming all together and moved on. Imo, SP >>> MP.

  • The_Corinthian

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:10 am GMT

    Online doesn't necessarily mean pay-to-play. Re: Left4Dead.

  • tyco_ex

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:07 am GMT

    @ earlthecannibal :

    They are releasing ff14 on ps3, but to be honest mmo's on consoles don't control very good unless you are using a bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

    Mmo's are very much designed for PC controls. You have your skill bar that uses numbers 1-10, you can move, change camera angle, and target something all at the same time with WASD and a mouse, and you aren't forced to use voice chat because you can type.

    With a console they have to somehow hotkey all the skills, which means you aren't going to have more than 12 at most possible to use at a time. You can't do as much at once with 2 analog sticks as you can with WASD and mouse. And you can't chat with any reasonable speed without a keyboard.

    The reason consoles don't have a lot of mmo's is the same reason they don't have a lot of RTS games, they simple control better on a computer.

  • tyco_ex

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 11:01 am GMT

    I must say, being a ps3 owner myself, most of the best ps3 games are single player/non-online games so that's perfectly understandable to me.

  • Ric_SlayeR

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 10:25 am GMT

    Well the MW comunity is quite huge lulz.

  • ArkansasBoy91

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 9:43 am GMT

    I think It MW2, * Halo 3 that's upping the scores for 360... EVERYONE i know has 360s and plays those 2 games, where only a few of them play PC online, and NONE play PS3 online.

  • NYCityREP

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:59 am GMT

    And? I end up muting most of the players on XBL anyway. It's got so bad that I only turn my mic on when I'm playing with friends.

    None of this matters anyway. I'll only be playing FFXIII & GoWIII for the rest of 2010.

  • INFAMOUSHAVOC

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:57 am GMT

    oh yes the good old pc still kicking butt when it comes to online games

  • monson21502

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:36 am GMT

    ms should bite the bullet and start charging 19.99 a year or 25 max. these numbers would prolly grow 60%

  • monson21502

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:33 am GMT

    its all my fault. i got a new 250 gig ps3 slim and i play both my 360 and ps3 any chance i get

  • force_user1975

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 8:04 am GMT

    XBL is fine, you get immersed in the competition and next thing you know 5 hours have passed. That's the difference for me, I cant play PS3 online because it's just not fun. It feel's so last generation and I think that online should be a focus, I mean 50% are using 360's online that should tell you something.

  • Sameo

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:35 am GMT

    well yes 2bitSmOkEy people argue 14 million subs to World of Warcraft is not much, which I guess is true... but look at the 80 million people on Farmville (some facebook app..)

  • 2bitSmOkEy

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 7:05 am GMT

    I really wish they would show the numbers though. I guarantee the pc has the most gamers playing online games, but how do you calculate all of them? I guess it would be impossible whilst the 360 can just count the live user subs.

  • ziv_ew

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 6:05 am GMT

    @earlthecannibal
    there are MMOs in development for PS3. like "The Agency" and "FFXIV" i think there are sevral more, not sure about 360 MMOs then agine i dont care

  • earlthecannibal

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 6:01 am GMT

    Console gaming biggest weakness is lack of mmos. I wish Sony would put EQ2 on the Ps3...why they don't is a mystery to me...I guess the system would be on for too long and might actualy start on fire or something....no other reason not too really.

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 4:52 am GMT

    PhailBob
    had absolutely nothing to do with psn

  • Smarty12

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 4:50 am GMT

    Buying an Xbox360 almost means you're getting XBL along with it, otherwise there aren't many good games that are worth playing single player. The fact that Microsoft is boasting about having more 12year-olds screaming behind mics is beyond me. PC is the best for online gaming imo, and PS3 (as far as current gen consoles go anyway) is the best for single player. That kinda makes the 360 look bad, no?

  • WithoutGraceXII

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 4:47 am GMT

    PC = TF2 and WC3, Xbox 360 = pretty much everything else, but only because my friends don't have decent PC's to play online with.

  • JESSEAARON100 posted Mar 3, 2010 4:40 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    JESSEAARON100

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 4:40 am GMT (hide)

    XBOX 360 is the most played console?
    It can't be because Gamespot it known as " supporting " XBOX 360

  • JESSEAARON100 posted Mar 3, 2010 4:40 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    JESSEAARON100

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 4:40 am GMT (hide)

    XBOX 360 is the most played console?
    It can't be because Gamespot it known as " supporting " XBOX 360

  • fire2box

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:52 am GMT

    Internet usage would be expect to go up in all category's. Technology will be cheaper and faster each passing year, so why we need a study saying online gaming has spike 10% over the last 365 days is beyond me.

  • mkeezay22

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 1:33 am GMT

    Like the majority I still do my online gaming on PC,there's a lot of reasons for me why its the best choice.

    I used to play on XBL a lot but my 360 died last year and I don't have enough money for a new one or a ps3 yet,I grabbed a nice video card for way less and its served me pretty well so far,I plan on getting a PS3 just for the exclusives but for games like bad company 2 and other cross platform games the PC usually has better versions at a cheaper price with better online play

  • L3371CEMAN

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:40 am GMT

    I went from PS2 to Xbox 360 =P , but only because of the better online service, which is paid for.

  • PencilBag

    Posted Mar 3, 2010 12:12 am GMT

    Like BusDriver said, i gotta lay of that Halo 3 online multiplayer...lol.

  • badtaker

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 11:33 pm GMT

    PS 3 games have Solid Sp.May be because of that PS3 online gamers are less than 360.

  • Waldkrieger

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 10:47 pm GMT

    And the point of this study is? To waste money?

  • psx_warrior

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 9:49 pm GMT

    @SDBusDriver1979 rofl

  • Shardz7

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 9:15 pm GMT

    PC is KING of gaming period. When you buy a console package, it's outdated and limited the minute you bring it home. You can upgrade a PC until you finally run out of money and it will just keep getting faster and prettier. It's unfortunate that the developers these days start with a console version and port that over to PC with the same low requirements without making optional adjustments and taking the platform into consideration. Sure...Mario Karts and Megaman is fun...I was playing those games 30 years ago. But it's time to let technology and innovation shine and rehashing the same old junk to satisfy a limited platform is just a matter of wanting to make money in the long run. I find it laughable to see how these big name RTS games are working their way to consoles - and in some cases even before the PC versions (Supreme Commander 2 *cough*) . The statistics here don't lie - they clearly show that the PC is the preferred medium for online gaming and the developers need to take note of this before serving us up simple crappy ports of a limited platform.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 8:59 pm GMT

    Its funny that PS3 fanboys boast free online multiplayer to X360 owners because they clearly arent using it as often.

  • zar144

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 8:38 pm GMT

    No surprise, i mean, who dosent enjoy shooting a bunch of unknown soilders or aliens in some wierd-*ss planet...?

  • Corvan

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 8:25 pm GMT

    Ya they have more time cause they cant work as much.

  • SDBusDriver1979

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:46 pm GMT

    Man its all that Halo 3 online I was playing nonstop thats skewing these numbers. I apologize.

  • tehepicpwnzor

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:37 pm GMT

    @mariokart64fan:

    I owned a wii for a year, and I played MarioKart a couple dozen times online. I've owned my PS3 for a year, and I've played aproximatly 230 hours. Wii has lots of people who use it, but 98% of them are casual gamers who play wii fit and wii sports and wii play once a week for half an hour.

  • gangster480

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:30 pm GMT

    @BigBigR
    CTstryk isnt lying, all of my friends who has a 360 has a ps2, this isnt shocking since the ps2 sold like 140 millions units.

  • mariokart64fan posted Mar 2, 2010 7:30 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    mariokart64fan

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:30 pm GMT (hide)

    i find it bull that 360 is most played when there isnt many owners in comparision to wii plus discount those who bought 2 -3 360s etc , for defects that number goes down , so ,, so far i believe wii is the most played but 360 is for online , , and ps3 is least played

  • tehepicpwnzor

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:28 pm GMT

    PC is the most powerful (but also most expensive) system, PS3 has good power and is affordable, xbox has LIVE which, as much as I love Steam and PSN, is probably better in many cases. All three consoles have their advantages. Stop dissing each other, fanboys.

  • BigBigR

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:25 pm GMT

    @CTstryk

    Not that I doubt you, but I would like to see some evidence of this claim of yours.

  • CTstryk

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:24 pm GMT

    Funny thing is mostly all 360 owners owned playstation 2's, talk about jumping ship. lol

  • BigBigR

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:21 pm GMT

    @dynomitemasta

    Actually, piracy IS more common than one might suspect on the Xbox 360, though it doesn't get as much attention as PC piracy.

    After Geohot managed to hack the PS3 I saw alot of people saying they'd finally buy it. The promise of free games is more alluring than one would think.

  • Flint247

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:10 pm GMT

    @iamprey263

    What do you mean by setting up MKwii with your friends is a problem? I never had any problems playing with friends on that game that would cause me to throw my wii into a tub.

  • twilightdawn96

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 7:00 pm GMT

    I still think PS3 is better

  • Ismaelkf posted Mar 2, 2010 6:56 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Ismaelkf

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 6:56 pm GMT (hide)

    This will change once the ps3 gets FF13, GOW3, Yakuza3, GTA4-2.. and many more!

  • Falmar

    Posted Mar 2, 2010 6:51 pm GMT

    Piracy isnt legal, the authorities simply dont care or are getting enough bribe money to not care; yet the 360 is easier to afford coz M$ really cares to keep an accesible price on the console. Sony doesnt cares that much. For instance, if ur ps3 fails it will take more than a month to get it fixed, and that depends if there is a sony center near you -u might as well get screwed and no-money-back. Sony underestimates a lot the south american market, especially when ps3 isnt getting any real piracy as 360 is. When ps3 got out, the starting price could be from a range to 1000 usd, to 1800 usd while 360 kept the 400 usd (in mexico). Nintendo is just the same, here the wii costs around 400 usd LOL

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