All three of the next-generation gaming consoles have serious online services attached, and many developers of PC games also sell their wares through digital delivery systems these days. Today, those downloads account for about 8 percent of total gaming revenues, according to a fresh eMarketer report, but the firm expects that portion to grow to 22 percent by 2010.
These figures include full-game sales, service subscriptions, and incremental game updates like mini-games, expansion maps, and in-game music sales. The fact that each of the console makers is listing online play as a major selling point contributes to the generous growth forecast.
The Wii and the high-end PS3 ship WiFi-ready, and you can buy WiFi adapters for the other consoles—unless you prefer to run Ethernet cables to your living room, since most of them have gigabit network ports too out of the box, with the notable exception of Wii. Microsoft’s Xbox Live, Sony’s Playstation Network, and Nintendo’s free online games are lining up next to Valve’s Steam and direct-download solutions from the likes of Electronic Arts and Activision to provide an attractive method for buying games online.
