Worldwide Videogame Hardware and Software 2004-2008 Forecast Update: Ready and Waiting for What's Next

This IDC study presents a forecast and analysis of the worldwide videogame hardware and software market. The videogame market — comprising videogame consoles and handheld game devices — has begun to trend downward, following historical cyclical patterns of growth. The launch of next-generation platforms in 2006 will drive market growth through 2008, when total worldwide revenue is forecast to reach $29.9 billion.

This study includes detailed forecasts of videogame hardware shipments, installed base, videogame software shipments, and revenue by major region: North America, Western Europe, Japan, and the rest of the world (ROW) as well, of course, as worldwide totals. It also presents an analysis of these trends.

"Entering the back half of the 128-bit cycle, the industry has begun a downward trend in terms of hardware revenue and shipments, blunted by the positive impact from the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP over the next two years." — Schelley Olhava, program manager, Consumer Markets: Gaming