Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Microsoft Winning The Downloadable Race
While it may not come as a surprise to everyone, the Xbox 360 is leading the digital charge with most downloaded games. Don't chalk this up to the PSN outage, however, as these figures are primarily taken from last year. In 2010 XBLA moved twice as many games as Sony's PSN, and trounced Nintendo with seven times the downloads.
The NPD Group reports that downloadable games sales between 360, Wii, and PS3 rose dramatically between 2006 to 2008, and plateaued in 2010. The report also shows that Microsoft outsold Sony in retailer-distributed digital points cards nearly four to one, with Nintendo straggling far behind.
Other interesting reports show 3D-capable software comprising 25% of November 2010, then leveling off at 10% in April 2011. Also games sporting motion control increased between April 2010 and 2011, following Kinect and Move's launches.
I don't know about you, but in my social circles the Xbox 360 is the most popular way to download games. Though there have been developer horror stories, Microsoft is better than its competitors at shining the spotlight on indie downloadable games with consistent deals, the Summer of Arcade, and other promotions. What's surprising is that even with Nintendo and Sony's download-focused handhelds, Microsoft still obliterated them in sales. However, the Xbox 360 did kick off the downloadable game craze for consoles, so maybe it makes sense.
Source: Gamasutra
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
