A report from DFC Intelligence suggests that online game sales will surpass retail sales in 2013. Global Sales from online games including PC, console, mobile and tablet games are expected to rise from 19.3 billion in 2010 to $37.9 billion by 2016.
David Cole, a DFC intelligence analyst said that “On a global basis it looks like retail delivery of physical software peaked in 2008. We expect a slow, steady decline for physical game sales, with a steady increase for online delivery of games and new business models such as subscriptions and virtual item sales." David also noted that the rise of online sales will counterbalance the decline in retail sales. This will help drive the industry growth from $66 billion in 2010 to $81 billion in 2016. The Key drivers for the industry will be games for smart phones and PC
So what do you think? Do you agree smartphones and PC games will lead the way? Or do you think that consoles are still the future of the video game industry.