IDC surveyed 350 U.S. households with videogame consoles to learn about their playing and purchasing habits and to gauge their interest in utilizing videogame console interactivity. Essentially, it's the type of interactivity that determines a gamer's interest. According to IDC's survey, the ability to download new games or levels of games seems to be the most important capability while Web surfing and email appear to be the least important. Many gamers view basic surfing and email as strictly a PC function. The key to successful interactivity via gaming platforms will be the delivery of features designed specifically to enrich one's game play.
Online gaming is one interactive function that has received a lot of attention.
Interestingly, households without PCs were less interested than households with PCs. In addition to developing interactive gaming strategies and infrastructures, videogame developers will also have to educate and market these enhanced activities to overcome the skepticism of finicky gamers for them to succeed. This report looks at the demographics of today's gamer, platform preferences, and game-playing habits. The report also looks at purchasing trends for hardware and software, intent to purchase, and knowledge of future systems. Finally, the report measures gamers' interest in using the interactive features of next-generation consoles.