Report: Virtual Worlds to Grow at 23% Through 2015

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 16, 2009 - 10:19am.

Boston - Virtual worlds are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23% from 2009 through 20015, according to a report from market research firm Strategy Analytics.

While the fastest-growing demographic will be kids ages 5-9, the largest overall segment is tweens and teens.

With virtual worlds generating revenue through microtransactions, subscriptions and advertising/sponsorships, the firm notes that microtransactions within virtual worlds are expected to grown from $1 billion in 2008 to $17.3 billion in 2015, when they will account for 86% of virtual worlds revenues.

"Virtual worlds have largely overcome enabling restrictions in terms of broadband access, computing power, and ease of use, and are now experiencing significant interest among major brands, as well as traction among targeted demographics," said Harvey Cohen, president of Strategy Analytics.

http://www.strategyanalytics.com