FRAMINGHAM, Mass.-Echoing comments from many sectors of the industry, research firm IDC concludes that the market for wireless gaming “is emerging as a viable long-term opportunity for game developers and publishers, wireless carriers, and wireless handset providers,” according to a the firm’s new report “Are We Having Fun Yet?: U.S. Wireless Gaming Forecast, 2002-2007.”
IDC predicts the total number of unique wireless gamers in the United States will climb from nearly 7 million this year to a staggering 71.2 million in 2007.
“Wireless gaming represents tremendous opportunity, but in order to reach its full potential, there must be cooperation among the three benefactors to work out key issues such as business models, the handset, and designating the appropriate content for the target demographics,” said Schelley Olhava, IDC’s program manager for interactive gaming.
The report finds that faster processors, color screens, polyphonic sounds, new battery technologies and improved input control features will boost wireless gaming, but that quality games must be targeted to appropriate demographics to help drive the business.
