The video game industry's decision to push downloadable add-on content may evoke criticism from those who believe bits and pieces are being chopped from $60 retail copies and sold post-release, but a new study from market researchers at Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) proves the model also has fans. Millions of them.
According to EEDAR's "Deconstructing Downloadable Content 2011" study (.pdf), more gamers purchased DLC - maps, side quests and weapons - in the last 12 months than they did in the year prior. Around 20 million PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners (or 51 percent) hit that tempting "download now" button - an 11 percent increase over the yearly report's 2010 findings. In 2009, 34 percent purchased additional content online.
Gamers unwilling to buy DLC cited myriad obstacles. Privacy fears, lack of a return policy, price and an inability to try before they buy were the most popular responses.
EEDAR expects the DLC business to bring in $875 million in 2011 and more than $1 billion in 2012. The group believes Nintendo will help drive the latter figure when it releases the Wii U - a tablet-controlled HD console with a consumer-friendly, full-featured online infrastructure - next fall. An ironic twist, as the company's Wii system is not included in EEDAR's surveys despite offering DLC.
While EEDAR didn't reveal the big DLC movers and shakers, it's clear the mega-successful "Call of Duty" series played a big part in the positive growth. The series' publisher Activision revealed last month that it sold 18 million downloadable map packs for the latest entry "Black Ops." Each map pack costs $15. (via Joystiq)
Have you purchased DLC in the last year? Let us know in the comment section.
