Survey: 47 percent of PC game sales are digital

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, but according to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamers nearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally.

The survey, which was run by the fine fellows over at RockPaperShotgun, was part of an effort to combat the notion that PC game sales are dying – an idea that largely stems from the fact that the sales figures collected by the NPD do not take digital sales such as Steam into account.

The results that came out of the survey were quite impressive in fact, with 93 percent of the 2000 people surveyed saying that they had bought at least one game from a digital store in the last year.

On top of that 71 percent of the 2000 said they had bought more than four games in this manner, with the total of gamers who buy only from retail stores at just 7 percent.

A bit of maths-magic then enabled the conclusion that around 47 percent of all PC game sales were made in digital formats such as from Steam, EAStore, GoodOldGames and Direct2Drive. That means that sales figures presented by groups like the NPD are missing out on nearly half of all PC game sales.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2009/01/30/survey-47-percent-of-pc-sales-are-digital/1

I think I'll let everyone draw their own conclusions. ;)

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, but according to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamers nearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally.

The survey, which was run by the fine fellows over at RockPaperShotgun, was part of an effort to combat the notion that PC game sales are dying – an idea that largely stems from the fact that the sales figures collected by the NPD do not take digital sales such as Steam into account.

The results that came out of the survey were quite impressive in fact, with 93 percent of the 2000 people surveyed saying that they had bought at least one game from a digital store in the last year.

On top of that 71 percent of the 2000 said they had bought more than four games in this manner, with the total of gamers who buy only from retail stores at just 7 percent.

A bit of maths-magic then enabled the conclusion that around 47 percent of all PC game sales were made in digital formats such as from Steam, EAStore, GoodOldGames and Direct2Drive. That means that sales figures presented by groups like the NPD are missing out on nearly half of all PC game sales.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2009/01/30/survey-47-percent-of-pc-sales-are-digital/1

I think I'll let everyone draw their own conclusions. ;)

dgsag

[QUOTE="dgsag"]

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, but according to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamers nearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally.

The survey, which was run by the fine fellows over at RockPaperShotgun, was part of an effort to combat the notion that PC game sales are dying – an idea that largely stems from the fact that the sales figures collected by the NPD do not take digital sales such as Steam into account.

The results that came out of the survey were quite impressive in fact, with 93 percent of the 2000 people surveyed saying that they had bought at least one game from a digital store in the last year.

On top of that 71 percent of the 2000 said they had bought more than four games in this manner, with the total of gamers who buy only from retail stores at just 7 percent.

A bit of maths-magic then enabled the conclusion that around 47 percent of all PC game sales were made in digital formats such as from Steam, EAStore, GoodOldGames and Direct2Drive. That means that sales figures presented by groups like the NPD are missing out on nearly half of all PC game sales.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2009/01/30/survey-47-percent-of-pc-sales-are-digital/1

I think I'll let everyone draw their own conclusions. ;)

True_Gamer_

Don't forget, Pirazzzy!

>

^ This still doesn't take into consideration subscriptions and online revenue.

Buh buh teh npd :cry: ....Oh and PC gaming is dead....did i forget any other console fanboy fantasy?True_Gamer_

You forgot "killzone 2 looks betr than Crysis ". That one always makes me laugh.

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamersnearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally.

dgsag

IMO its probably true for the HC crowd having such a high chunk of digital distribution, but it be surprised if 47% of casual PC gamers even knew what digital distribution was

[QUOTE="dgsag"]

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamersnearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally.

PokerPirate

IMO its probably true for the HC crowd having such a high chunk of digital distribution, but it be surprised if 47% of casual PC gamers even knew what digital distribution was

[QUOTE="dgsag"]

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamersnearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally.

PokerPirate

IMO its probably true for the HC crowd having such a high chunk of digital distribution, but it be surprised if 47% of casual PC gamers even knew what digital distribution was

Ownage for consolites.clembo1990

how is that ownage???
Steam is a beast:shock:

[QUOTE="clembo1990"]Ownage for consolites.ps3_owns_360Wii

how is that ownage???
Steam is a beast:shock:

[QUOTE="clembo1990"]Ownage for consolites.ps3_owns_360Wii

how is that ownage???
Steam is a beast:shock:

the last PC game i brought in disc form was the bioshock special edition that came with a big daddy figure.

since then all my PC purchases have been through steam or direct to drive.

Um. Wrong. PC gaming is dead.AAllxxjjnn

I don't think that illegal downloads can be called a "sale". ZING!

Seriously, this was just a survey of supposedly "hardcore" PC fans. Who is to say they didn't either lie or exadgerate the amount of games they purchase digitally as opposed to steal digitally. There is no way to prove it.

Second, while 47 percent of the "hardcore" may be buying digitally, what percentage is the "hardcore" of all PC users and PC gamers, and is isolating the hardcore relevant for the point this press release is trying to make?

I don't think that illegal downloads can be called a "sale". ZING!

Seriously, this was just a survey of supposedly "hardcore" PC fans. Who is to say they didn't either lie or exadgerate the amount of games they purchase digitally as opposed to steal digitally. There is no way to prove it.

Second, while 47 percent of the "hardcore" may be buying digitally, what percentage is the "hardcore" of all PC users and PC gamers, and is isolating the hardcore relevant for the point this press release is trying to make?

ZIMdoom

[QUOTE="ZIMdoom"]

I don't think that illegal downloads can be called a "sale". ZING!

Seriously, this was just a survey of supposedly "hardcore" PC fans. Who is to say they didn't either lie or exadgerate the amount of games they purchase digitally as opposed to steal digitally. There is no way to prove it.

Second, while 47 percent of the "hardcore" may be buying digitally, what percentage is the "hardcore" of all PC users and PC gamers, and is isolating the hardcore relevant for the point this press release is trying to make?

clembo1990

1) If this is the case, then every single poll on GS or any other gaming site must be 100% accurate and factual. Because there are no fanboys here who would skew the poll with fanboy answers. Nope. Everyone here MUST be hardcore because we are on the internet.

2) If the poll is simply steam users then the results are going to be skewed regardless. It would be like polling people at a local football game about how awesome the local team is. Steam users are signed up for a digital service. Of COURSE they are going to be people who have downloaded games. That isn't an accurate sampling for survey purposes.

3) Right....people who pirate games ONLY do so because they are poor. Not because they can get free games with minimal effort.

4) I found this last comment laughable considering everything else you said.

73% of surveys are made up.maiden-beth1

This is a fact. And PC gaming sucks, and is dying. Oh and RE5 has better graphics than Crysis, because I played it on my 60" HDTV and I think it looks better, and for me it has more immersion.:P

Um. Wrong. PC gaming is dead.AAllxxjjnn

[QUOTE="AAllxxjjnn"]Um. Wrong. PC gaming is dead.iam2green

but according to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamers dgsag

This poll really says nothing about the state of pc gaming in terms of sales. Some people who voted may have exaggerated how many digital pc games they bought as a way of supporting their favored platform. What we need is some actual sales data.

If digital pc game sales are so great, then why doesn't Valve release sales statistics? Why do they choose to hide them?

My guess is that for hardcore games sales are down overall and Valve would prefer other devs not to know this since it would tarnish the image of pc gaming. What Valve doesn't want is for more devs to release for consoles only since it cuts into their bottom line.

[QUOTE="clembo1990"][QUOTE="ZIMdoom"]

I don't think that illegal downloads can be called a "sale". ZING!

Seriously, this was just a survey of supposedly "hardcore" PC fans. Who is to say they didn't either lie or exadgerate the amount of games they purchase digitally as opposed to steal digitally. There is no way to prove it.

Second, while 47 percent of the "hardcore" may be buying digitally, what percentage is the "hardcore" of all PC users and PC gamers, and is isolating the hardcore relevant for the point this press release is trying to make?

ZIMdoom

1) If this is the case, then every single poll on GS or any other gaming site must be 100% accurate and factual. Because there are no fanboys here who would skew the poll with fanboy answers. Nope. Everyone here MUST be hardcore because we are on the internet.

2) If the poll is simply steam users then the results are going to be skewed regardless. It would be like polling people at a local football game about how awesome the local team is. Steam users are signed up for a digital service. Of COURSE they are going to be people who have downloaded games. That isn't an accurate sampling for survey purposes.

3) Right....people who pirate games ONLY do so because they are poor. Not because they can get free games with minimal effort.

4) I found this last comment laughable considering everything else you said.

[QUOTE="ps3_owns_360Wii"]

[QUOTE="clembo1990"]Ownage for consolites.horrowhip

how is that ownage???
Steam is a beast:shock:

73% of surveys are made up.maiden-beth1

Its funny how hermits think this is representative of the entire market. 2000 people speak for the whole PC market? I'm sure I could poll 5 xbox 360 users that I know have over 10 games each and the attach rate would be huge thus meaning every 360 owner must have a huge game selection! :roll: hopesfall2own

hardcore PC gamers

dgsag

[QUOTE="ps3_owns_360Wii"]

[QUOTE="clembo1990"]Ownage for consolites.horrowhip

how is that ownage???
Steam is a beast:shock:

European customers should and can say no. :o

The data may not be totally reliable and representative, but according to a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamers nearly 47 percent of all PC game purchases are made digitally...
That means that sales figures presented by groups like the NPD are missing out on nearly half of all PC game sales.

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2009/01/30/survey-47-percent-of-pc-sales-are-digital/1

I think I'll let everyone draw their own conclusions. ;)

dgsag

Yes if they count all pc gamers are hardcore. Then why would you (the article) have to specify "a survey of more than 2000 hardcore PC gamers"?