Varied interest in gaming-on-demand services necessitates diverse approach to service offerings

January 28, 2004 /Wi-Fi Technology News/- Approximately 14 percent of U.S. broadband households are interested in gaming-on-demand services, according to Parks Associates? latest report, Entertainment-on-Demand: Online Gaming Services, although variation within this population indicates a need for diversity in service offerings.

Interest in a gaming-on-demand service, which enables users to stream or download full-featured electronic games and demos to their PCs or game consoles via the Internet, is the strongest among game enthusiasts. More than 50% of online game enthusiast households are interested in such a service, compared with less than 20% of moderate gamer households and less than 10% of casual PC gamer households.

?This observation does not necessarily mean strategies currently pursued by gaming-on-demand service providers ? focusing on casual and moderate gamers ? are off track,? said Yuanzhe (Michael) Cai, research analyst with Parks Associates. ?The sheer size of these two groups warrants a lot of attention. Nevertheless, service providers might consider tiered services as a means to attract more subscribers from the total potential gaming audience.?

Entertainment-on-Demand: Online Gaming Services gathers data from three large-scale consumer surveys and compiles and analyzes consumer interests and preferences. In addition, the report examines the potential opportunities and threats gaming-on-demand services will bring to different players in the gaming industry value chain and provides detailed information on the major companies enabling gaming-on-demand services.

For more information about Entertainment-on-Demand: Online Gaming Services, contact Parks Associates at 972-490-1113 or sales@parksassociates.com.

About Parks Associates: Parks Associates is a market research and consulting firm focused on all product and service segments that are "digital" or provide connectivity within the home. The company's expertise includes home networks, digital entertainment, consumer electronics, broadband and Internet services, and home systems.

Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, multiclient studies, consumer research, workshops, and custom-tailored client solutions. Parks Associates also hosts two executive seminars, both part of the Fall Focus series, and co-hosts CONNECTIONS? (in partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association) each year. http://www.parksassociates.com