The Gaming service advises video game publishers and developers, hardware manufacturers, and related service providers about this dynamic market from both a global and a regional vantage point. Providing comprehensive analysis of the technologies, services, and gamer preferences — including spending — that have and will shape the video game industry is the focus of this IDC service.

• Online and offline video game console manufacturer dynamics
• Casual online PC and browser-based social network gaming
• PC game downloads and peripheral/accessory sales
• Dedicated handheld hardware and software sales
• Wireless/mobile and media tablet gaming trends
• Gamer demographics, genre, and hardware preferences
• Regional revenue distinctions
• Identification of key PC, console, and mobile/portable game developers/publishers
• Video game development tool and monetization trends (i.e., microtransactions, ARPPU tracking, and cloud)
• The "gamification" of education and healthcare
• Business model threat analysis

• Video Game Console Hardware and Game Disc Forecast
• Connected Game/Entertainment Console Forecast
• Online PC Gaming Forecast
• Consumer Predictions
• U.S. and Global Gamer Demographic Surveys
• Dedicated Handheld, Cell Phone, and Media Tablet Gaming Forecast
• Market Impact Assessments: Ads, DLC, Cloud Gaming, F2P, Hacking, and Piracy
• New Product Launch and User Interface Advances

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.

1. Which companies and business models will drive revenue through 2016?
2. What's the impact of lower development team entry barriers and microtransactions?
3. Which industry segments are growing the fastest?
4. How is the rise of casual browser gaming impacting spending and gamer behaviors?
5. How are connected consoles faring against Web-connected TVs, set-top boxes, and powerful PCs/Macs?
6. Which console manufacturer ecosystem is best positioned to generate revenue through 2016, and how do regional and demographic differences impact game sales?
7. How are advanced motion-sensing interfaces and stereoscopic 3D impacting the industry?
8. How are devices like the iPad and services such as OnLive changing the status quo?

IDC's Gaming service analyzes the product strategies, competitive positioning, financial viability, and strategic direction of key players in the gaming market, including:

Activision Blizzard, Adobe, Amazon.com, AMD, Apple, AT&T, Autodesk, BioWare, Bungie, Capcom, CDC Games, Codemasters, Comcast, Dell, Dolby Laboratories, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Facebook, Gameloft, GameStop, Glu Mobile, Google, Harmonix, HP, IBM, Infinity Ward, Intel, Konami, Logitech, LucasArts, Mad Catz, Microsoft, NCsoft, Netflix, Nexon, Nintendo, Nokia, NVIDIA, OnLive, Plantronics, PlayFirst, PlaySpan, Qualcomm, Rambus, Razer, RealNetworks, Rockstar Games, Sega, Sony, Sprint, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, THQ, T-Mobile, Toshiba, Turtle Beach, Unity, Ubisoft, Valve, Verizon, Vivendi Universal, Vodafone, Walmart, Walt Disney, Warner Bros., WildTangent, Yahoo! Games, Zipper Interactive, and Zynga.

For IT suppliers or IT buyers doing business planning and budgeting, sales and marketing, or performance measurement, we have the custom offerings to optimize your success at every stage of your business. Our data- and content-driven approach helps you make better decisions, drive more effective marketing programs, and effectively measure your success — resulting in a greater return on your investment.

Whether you are a technology buyer or provider, IDC Insights' research translates today's global end-user requirements and trends into business opportunities for your organization. With dedicated businesses targeting energy, financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, IDC provides unmatched integration of global technology and vertical industry expertise to deliver industry-specific customer intelligence that gives clients a powerful business advantage.

Connect and engage with a global network of business and IT professionals in the first-of-its-kind end-user community at http://idc-insights-community.com.