I write the research questions below in connection with a book I am
writing, "The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals
Online".  For details, see www.TheVirtualHandshake.com .  For each
question below, all I need is a link to a report which contains the
answer.  I need a credible source, so that I can appropriately endnote
the fact in the book.

My questions:

How many people (Americans, or just computer users in general) play
multiplayer games in general (online and offline)?  Specifically, how
many people are users of multiplayer online games (MMORPG)?

also helpful, but less important: What are total revenues for the
industry that makes these games?

Thanks!

Dear jxclay,

I'm delighted that you are pleased with my research. I am reposting my
findings below to make the answer official and claim the fee.

Best regards,
Bobbie7


31.3 million online gamers in the US 
InStat Information Alert
http://www.instat.com/infoalert.asp?Volname=Vol.%20%23%2059


A recent survey done by Nielsen found that 46 million Americans
participated in online video games (that is one in every three with
Internet access).
http://www.midweek.com/extra1/extra1122204.html


The Entertainment Software Association estimates that between 50 and
60 million Americans play online games.
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118428,00.asp


How many Gamers Play Games Online?

Forty-three percent of most frequent game players say they play games
online, up from 37% last year and 31% in 2002.
http://www.theesa.com/facts/gamer_data.php



According to an article in the New York Times, massively multiplayer
online role-playing games regularly attract a million or more
Americans.

Source:
A Real-Life Debate on Free Expression in a Cyberspace City 
(New York Times - January 15, 2004)
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/technology/15SIMS.html?ex=1389502800&en=b10316fe8b64b250&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND



In-Stat/MDR found that:

?About a sixth of the US population currently plays games online, that
number will grow to nearly half the population by 2008.?

?Over 6 million people worldwide participate in Massive Multiplayer
Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), but due to the high annual cost
of the activity ($150 to $200), MMORPGs that charge monthly fees are
only expected to grow slightly over the next 5 years.?

In-Stat/MDR 
http://www.instat.com/press.asp?ID=986&sku=IN0401178IA

 

?What Kinds of Games are Played Online Most Often?

- Fifty-five percent play Puzzle/Board/Game Show/Trivia/Card Games 

- Twenty-one percent play Action/Sports/Strategy/Role Playing Games 

- Thirteen percent play Shockwave/Flash/Browser-based Mini Games 

- Eight percent play Persistent Multi-Player Universe Games 

- Three percent play Other Types of Games.?


2004 Industry Sales Information

?2004 saw sales of computer and video game software grow from 2003,
generating $7.3 billion in sales.?

?U.S. sales of video games totaled $6.2 billion while computer games
accounted for $1.2 billion in sales.?

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
http://www.theesa.com/facts/sales_genre_data.php

Read more here:
http://www.theesa.com/files/EFBrochure.pdf


?Massively multiplayer online games are computer games in which
thousands of players can play simultaneously through the Internet by
logging into servers operated by the game's providers. In 2003, 88
million people played online games worldwide and 198 million are
expected to be playing online games by 2008.?
Games Industry
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/news.php?aid=4857


?At $10 billion, the game industry has already overtaken Hollywood and
a new report shows game revenues could surpass sales of music within
the next five years. Sales of MMORPG titles make up over $1 billion of
that. Industry reports predict the genre will grow threefold by 2008.?
http://keathmilligan.net/view.php?id=448

Thanks!

Dear jxclay,

I am posting my findings in the comment box for now so that you can
check if this information meets your needs?

If it does, please let me know and I will post it as the official
answer and claim the fee.

Thanks,
Bobbie7


31.3 million online gamers in the US 
InStat Information Alert
http://www.instat.com/infoalert.asp?Volname=Vol.%20%23%2059


A recent survey done by Nielsen found that 46 million Americans
participated in online video games (that is one in every three with
Internet access).
http://www.midweek.com/extra1/extra1122204.html


The Entertainment Software Association estimates that between 50 and
60 million Americans play online games.
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118428,00.asp


How many Gamers Play Games Online?

Forty-three percent of most frequent game players say they play games
online, up from 37% last year and 31% in 2002.
http://www.theesa.com/facts/gamer_data.php



According to an article in the New York Times, massively multiplayer
online role-playing games regularly attract a million or more
Americans.

Source:
A Real-Life Debate on Free Expression in a Cyberspace City 
(New York Times - January 15, 2004)
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/15/technology/15SIMS.html?ex=1389502800&en=b10316fe8b64b250&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND



In-Stat/MDR found that:

?About a sixth of the US population currently plays games online, that
number will grow to nearly half the population by 2008.?

?Over 6 million people worldwide participate in Massive Multiplayer
Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), but due to the high annual cost
of the activity ($150 to $200), MMORPGs that charge monthly fees are
only expected to grow slightly over the next 5 years.?

In-Stat/MDR 
http://www.instat.com/press.asp?ID=986&sku=IN0401178IA

 

?What Kinds of Games are Played Online Most Often?

- Fifty-five percent play Puzzle/Board/Game Show/Trivia/Card Games 

- Twenty-one percent play Action/Sports/Strategy/Role Playing Games 

- Thirteen percent play Shockwave/Flash/Browser-based Mini Games 

- Eight percent play Persistent Multi-Player Universe Games 

- Three percent play Other Types of Games.?


2004 Industry Sales Information

?2004 saw sales of computer and video game software grow from 2003,
generating $7.3 billion in sales.?

?U.S. sales of video games totaled $6.2 billion while computer games
accounted for $1.2 billion in sales.?

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
http://www.theesa.com/facts/sales_genre_data.php

Read more here:
http://www.theesa.com/files/EFBrochure.pdf


?Massively multiplayer online games are computer games in which
thousands of players can play simultaneously through the Internet by
logging into servers operated by the game's providers. In 2003, 88
million people played online games worldwide and 198 million are
expected to be playing online games by 2008.?
Games Industry
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/news.php?aid=4857


?At $10 billion, the game industry has already overtaken Hollywood and
a new report shows game revenues could surpass sales of music within
the next five years. Sales of MMORPG titles make up over $1 billion of
that. Industry reports predict the genre will grow threefold by 2008.?
http://keathmilligan.net/view.php?id=448

very helpful!  i am happy to pay you.