SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- High-tech Arizona-based research firm In-Stat/MDR Tuesday said mobile gaming will continue to boost wireless data revenues.
In-Stat/MDR estimates by 2009, mobile gaming services in the United States will generate $1.8 billion annually, or approximately 4.4 percent of total wireless data revenues. Additionally, by 2009, 78.6 million wireless subscribers in the United States will play mobile games and gaming downloads will increase more than tenfold from 2003 levels.
The firm's research also shows 6.5 percent of U.S. wireless subscribers are extremely or very interested in purchasing mobile gaming services. This "clearly identifies mobile gaming as a niche opportunity for wireless carriers, application developers, and content producers," the firm said in a release.
Mobile gaming users already play games an average 5.1 hours per week on various devices in the home, including PCs, game consoles and handhelds, versus 2.9 hours per week for all wireless users.
The most popular mobile gaming genre is single-player board, puzzle and word games.
